Symbolic Interactionism Theory in Relationship between Teachers and Students Free Essay Example, 1000 words

Functionalists suggest that the main function of higher education teachers is to provide better occupational opportunities for unemployed students in the long-run. Upon analyzing the functionalist theory of education, it is the students who function as the receiver of the transferred knowledge, skills and cultural values from the school teachers. However, this theory is not applicable when it comes to analyzing the relationship between teachers and students in higher education. Functionalists strongly suggest that the main function of higher education teachers is to provide better occupational opportunities for unemployed students in the long-run. Upon analyzing the functionalist theory of education, it is the students who function as the receiver of the transferred knowledge, skills and cultural values from the school teachers. However, this theory is not applicable when it comes to analyzing the relationship between teachers and students in higher education. Conflict theory view e ducation as something that reflects other inequalities within a given society (Andersen Taylor, 2011, p. 348). Because of the presence of racial, class and gender discrimination, not all students are able to receive equal rights to education. We will write a custom essay sample on Symbolic Interactionism Theory in Relationship between Teachers and Students or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page 21). Conflict theory in higher education strongly suggests the idea that teachers in educational institutions are facing conflicts related to power struggling among the professionals within the hierarchical educational institutions. Conflict theory focuses on identifying potential conflicts (or gap) between the teachers and students in higher education (Appelrouth Edles, 2008, p. 355). As compared to functionalist theory, conflict theory is indirectly applicable when trying to examine the relationship between teachers and students in higher education.