Sociological Perspectives on the Family free essay sample

Sociological Perspectives on the Family SOC101: Introduction to Sociology Instructor:   Jeanette  Maxey August 15, 2011 Sociological Perspectives on the Family In the field of sociology, there are numerous approaches sociologists reflect on when studying humankind’s behavior. Sociologists argue that no single theory is correct by itself; but to a certain extent, they draw on all of them for various purposes. Sociologists vision the social world in diverse ways, meaning seeing the world as stable and a continuing entity. Those who have this view contend they are impressed with the endurance of social institutions such as family. Family is â€Å"one of the most important aspects of what happens to us over the life course. † (Vissing, 2011) However, historically, the three major theoretical perspectives, functionalism, conflict, and interactionism, are most commonly considered and used by sociologists (Vissing, 2011). Some details about family are the three major groups: theoretical, perspective, impact, and the institution. By evaluating the family unit from various sociological viewpoints gives insight into the development of socialization within the familial framework and society at large. We will write a custom essay sample on Sociological Perspectives on the Family or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The Institute of Family The family unit is often seen as a societal institution which initiates the positive and negative process of social interactions between people. Over the last decade what constitutes the family unit has changed throughout the world. Family units in today’s environment are diverse in nature and may go beyond the scope of just parents and their children. Families can consist of variations in relationships such as close relatives, stepparents, half siblings and/or extended non-biological members. Typically, immediate family members live in the same household, nearby, or close in heart until a state of maturation or appropriate age has been attained. Most often members of the families have intimate and personal relationships with each other. According to B. Weston, â€Å"Americans are strongly committed to marriage, like southern Europeans, and also strongly committed to individualism, like northern Europeans. (Weston, 2010) Within the family unit there is a continuation of social interactions between members that can influence and shape peoples responses and reactions to their larger societies. Functionalism Theory The functionalism perspective studies society on a macro-sociological level. Functionalists contend that all societal institutions are an enormous network of connected parts working together preserving the social system as a whole to create and maintain stability. Functionalists have a positive view of society. Their premise is that society is a living organism much like the human body in which each organ plays a vital role in its survival (Vissing, 2011). Similar to the operation of the human anatomy, functionalists perceive that society goes through an analysis and diagnosis of the workings of the system resulting in solutions to restore optimal balance. Functionalism further contends that each member of the family is interdependent of each other and contributes to the functioning of the family as a whole. When family members are doing their part, there is balance, peace and unity. When a single member rebels against their role or responsibilities, the family suffers as a whole causing imbalance, stress, discord and dysfunctional tendencies. Functionalism suggests that the family works best when each member has input to agree or disagree on decisions. Having input is a sense of empowerment which allows each member to feel validated, and the family can grow based on the idea of consensus of the group versus authoritarianism. With consensus and cooperation the functional family is better able to contribute to the larger society. Individuals Functionalists believe individuals are socially shaped to perform societal functions (Vissing, 2011). According to information obtained from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Miller, 2007) functionalists argue that the family unit as a whole is more important than merely one individual, because they are a product of social influences such as their family, friends, and educational background. Thus, the individual is produced by society. From the functionalist perspective, one could conclude that the individual’s perspective is shaped by understanding their role, function and responsibility within the family unit. Unity and progress are achieved when each individual understands, commits, accepts responsibility and is accountable in their role. Discord and chaos are achieved when even one member does not understand, will not commit or refuses to accept and function within their role. For example, a father would be expected to be one who must provide and protect his family. This is based on standards of expectations of what fathers are supposed to do and what fatherhood means in the given society of which they belong. Individuals who adhere to functionalism would be rooted in their functions, roles, and expectations that are expected of them. Social Change Functionalists believe societal change is predictable and positive (Vissing, 2011). Social change within the family is planned for and expected. Social change and interaction within the family is hoped for as a child grows. A toddler learns to walk; children learn to dress themselves; and teens begin choosing their own music and style of dress. By graduation they are almost autonomous. As long as children and parents agree with the roles they are expected to fill, the family can live in harmony and be productive. Views of Society Functionalists view the family unit as a necessary and vital contribution to the greater society. Those who adhere to the functionalist theory contend that family’s original purpose was to meet the needs of the community and social order. Family and community have a mutual productive relationship. Families give back to society through working, paying taxes, and becoming educated. Functionalists believe that families work together within their own micro level society as a means of improving their internal environments. Further, functionalism contends that society order is maintained through cooperation and consensus by its members (Vissing, 2011). Children and parents will view society based on the perspective of functionalism. Within the family unit, if healthy interaction and understanding has occurred during the development of roles and functions, children and parents will be optimistic about success in society and become contributors. They will look at society and determine what role they are to play and live accordingly. Children should be taught that living according to certain expectations is not burdensome. Parents will have learned that discussing roles with their children does not have to be threatening and does not necessarily undermine their role as parents. Within the functionalist perspective, individuals are prepared to function within society. Conflict Theory The conflict theory is associated with both Karl Marx and Max Weber. This perspective, similar to functionalism, approaches society on a macro-sociological level. The conflict theory has a pessimistic view of society. The conflict perspective consists of three Key concepts: inequality, capitalism and stratification (Vissing, 2011). Karl Marx contends that the dominant society creates institutional laws and enforces systems that support its power and control of resources (Vissing, 2011). Unlike Marx, Max Weber contends that there are many status groups who have various degrees of social power. In contrast, Marx believed there were only two: capitalist and the working group. Weber further contends that power plays a role in ethnicity, religion, politics, and gender (Zarka, 2007). The conflict perspective views society as struggles and tension between the groups. Social Change Conflict sociologists contend that while social change is a source of conflict and stress, it takes place on an ongoing basis and may have positive outcomes (Vissing, 2011). Children desire more freedom than responsibility. Parents desire their children to exhibit responsibility in order to earn freedom. Change seems to not occur quickly enough for the children and too quickly for most parents. Views of Society Families who adhere to the conflict theory have been preconditioned to view life as a conflict; therefore, they view society as a constant conflict of desires and lifestyles. As family members encounter situations they do not like they may seek to undermine or even ignore that aspect of society; if there are interpersonal problems family members may be uninterested in discussing roles. They may concentrate on rebelling against the person they are in conflict with or removing the individual from the position of authority over them. Interactionism Theory George Herbert Mead was credited for pioneering the interactionist perspective. Mead, a professor at the University of Chicago, focused on the study of one-to-one situations and other small groups. Mead focused his attention on body language such as a frown or nod. Sociologist Charles Horton Cooley shared Meads views. Mead based his theory on the belief that humankind’s cognition and behavior is fundamentally social. He concluded that language is an enabling symbol of social interaction. The commonality of symbols is what allows meaningful interactions between humans, as well as the facilitation of the development of roles and the formation of self-concept (Victor, 2010). Interactionists view society as active in influencing and affecting everyday social interactions. Society is viewed on micro-sociological level as a method to understand the larger society. Key concepts are symbols, nonverbal communication, and face-to-face interactions. The Family Unit Symbolic interactionists explain the family unit in terms of the subjective meanings and daily interpretations that people give to their lives. For interactionists, families are living forms that change overtime. The family unit is not based on cultural or legal prescriptions but on the shared meanings that result from the interactions of its members. Further, they contend that the family unit is vital to understanding the dynamic interrelationship between self and society (Reynolds, Herman-Kinney, 2003). Family members attach meaning to words and symbols and extract meaning from them. For example, a parent who may tell their child to go clean their room attaches certain meaning to the word â€Å"clean. The child typically applies a completely different and more liberal meaning of the word â€Å"clean. † Another illustration of interactionism is the word â€Å"fair†. Children often clam that their parents are not being fair because they do not buy them the latest cell phone or newest brand sneaker like their friends have. On the other hand, parents may feel as though it is not fair that their children complet e very few chores around the house or constantly complain about anything they are asked to do; yet, the children expect to have food on the table, a roof over their heads, left alone, chauffeured at the last minute and financially funded. Individuals Interactionist sociologists view the individual as having the ability to manipulate symbols and shape their social worlds through interactions. They believe that individuals derive their self concepts from memberships in social groups and categories. â€Å"Symbolic interactionism also helps to account for the formation and preservation of culture, institutions and social roles in society† (Vissing, 2011). As individuals manipulate symbols and shape their social worlds they may identify with the various interpretations and definitions of identical words or icons. For instance, many parents interpret enormous baggy pants hanging low around a teenager’s knees as a sign of bad taste, to say the least. Teenage boys, of course, interpret this symbol as stylish and fitting in with their peers. Social Change Interactionists believe that social change is a reflection of people’s communications with others and their social position (Vissing, 2011). In families, parents have a tendency to remain â€Å"old fashioned† in regards to the symbols they use and understand. Styles of clothing, taste in music, and appropriate ways of displaying feelings are all areas that are changing. Conflict will inevitably occur unless parents and children are able to come to a mutual understanding regarding these symbols. However, if they are able reach an agreement, change can become an enjoyable experience. Views of Society Life is made up of encounters with other people who attribute different meanings to identical symbols. Interactionists contend that social order is maintained by sharing understanding of everyday behaviors (Vissing, 2011). For families who have devised a healthy way to discuss and debate the meaning of shared symbols, social interaction may be a healthy venture. Families who refuse to acknowledge the possibility that another’s interpretation of a particular symbol may be as equally valid as their own, may experience a life of constant confrontations in which neither party understands each other. The individual may constantly feel misunderstood, superior to his/her peers, and/or disillusioned with others and perhaps with life because they have never considered that their own interpretation may be wrong or at least one of many correct interpretations. Similarities and Differences of the Theories Functionalism provides a positive platform for viewing society; although interactionism does so as well. The conflict theory is very negative and pessimistic in its view of society. Conflict is assumed and little energy is devoted to solving it because the underlying assumption is that it is an expected constant. Interactionism can be extremely positive if helpful strategies have been learned that can be used in interactions with others. However, it can be negative if individuals are locked into their personal views. Additionally, in contrast to functionalism and conflict perspectives that study society on a macro-sociological level, interactionists employ micro-sociology (Vissing, 2011). Evaluating the family unit from various sociological viewpoints gives insight into the development of socialization within the familial framework and society at large. Reference Miller, S. (2007). Social Institutions. Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Retrieved August 10, 2011 from http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/social-institutions Reynolds, L. , Herman-Kinney, N. (2003). Handbook of symbolic interactionism. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press. Vissing, Y. (2011). Introduction to Sociology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from https://content. ashford. edu Weston,  B. (2010,  February). The marriage-go-round: the state of marriage and the family in America today. Choice,  47(6),  1172. Retrieved August 09, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID:  1961252341). Zarka, H. (2007, June 05). Karl Marx and max weber: fathers of sociological theories. Retrieved from http://www. associatedcontent. com/article/267349/ karl_marx _ and_max_weber_fathers_of_pg2. html? cat=4.