SocializationĬhildren learn at a young age that there are distinct expectations for boys and girls. Scripts are generally learned through a process known as socialization, which teaches people to behave according to social norms. Just as a playwright expects actors to adhere to a prescribed script, society expects women and men to behave according to the expectations of their respective gender roles. The “script” written by society is in some ways similar to a script written by a playwright. Aggressive behavior, when it does not inflict significant harm, is often accepted from boys and men because it is congruent with the cultural script for masculinity. The phrase implies that such behavior is unchangeable and something that is part of a boy’s nature. The phrase “boys will be boys” is often used to justify behavior such as pushing, shoving, or other forms of aggression from young boys. (Credit: Sport Suburban/flickr) Gender and Socialization gender roles reinforce the idea that women should be subordinate to men. Functionalism also over-emphasises the role of social structures in shaping our behaviour.Figure 12.8 Traditional images of U.S. However, other theorists such as Marxists and feminists claim functionalism ignores social inequalities. This has an inherently positive goal, which is to keep society functioning. Functionalism recognises the importance of society in shaping us.Robert Merton distinguished between manifest (obvious) and latent (non-obvious) functions of social institutions.Talcott Parsons argued that society is very similar to the human body, as both have functioning parts that work to achieve an overarching goal. Without this, there would be anomie or chaos. This social solidarity would serve as a 'social glue'. Emile Durkheim said that society should provide individuals with this social solidarity throughout all social institutions. Social solidarity is the feeling of being part of a larger social group.It is a structural theory, which means it believes societal structures shape individuals. Functionalism is a key consensus theory that places importance on our shared norms and values as functioning members of society.Not all institutions perform positive functions. In Merton's view, anomie is caused by a 'strain' felt by individuals not being able to achieve their goals in an un-meritocratic society. Merton criticised Durkheim's suggestion that anomie is caused by individuals not performing their roles. For example, if the institution of religion collapsed, this is unlikely to cause the collapse of society as a whole. He said that some institutions can be independent of others. Merton criticised the idea that all parts of society are bound together, and that one dysfunctional part will negatively affect the whole. Some would argue that i ndividuals can form their own roles and identities independent of society. It also sees non-participation in society as undesirable, as this can lead to anomie.įunctionalism over-emphasises the impact of social structures in shaping individuals. Society is not a consensus-based system.Ī Feminist critique holds that functionalism ignores gender inequalities.įunctionalism may prevent social change, as it encourages individuals to stick to specified roles. We will mention the further sociologists and concepts: Émile DurkheimĪ Marxist critique of the theory states that functionalism ignores social class inequalities. We will discuss theories and key researchers of functionalism. They established functionalist arguments in several areas of sociological research, including education, family formation and social inequality. Further key theorists of this sociological perspective were Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton. This is also called a 'top-down' theory.įunctionalism was 'founded' by French sociologist, Émile Durkheim. Individuals are the product of social structures and socialisation. It places importance on our shared norms and values, by which society is enabled to function. Finally, we will evaluate functionalist theory from the perspective of other sociological theories.įunctionalism is a key consensus theory.We will discuss the work of Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton.Then we will mention examples of key theorists and concepts within functionalism.We will, first, define functionalism in sociology.We will discuss the theory in more details and provide a sociological evaluation of functionalism. Many famous sociologists believed in the functionalist theory, including Émile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons. Then you belong to the sociological perspective known as functionalism. Do you believe that society is based on shared values and is held up by social institutions fulfilling a set function in it?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |