Manifest functions of education : Credentialing individuals for the workforce :: Latent functions of education : ?

Latent functions of education are the hidden, often unintended, benefits that arise from schooling. They include the socialization of students into shared norms and values, the creation of social networks that later help in job searching, the transmission of cultural knowledge, and the reinforcement of social cohesion. For instance, a student who participates in a school club may meet classmates who become future colleagues, forming a supportive professional network that would not exist without the school setting. These unplanned outcomes help society function smoothly even though they were not the primary goal of the education system.