, STRUCTURAL PERSPECTIVES
Functionalism
This is a structural consensus theory, which means that it sees
society as influencing and guiding the behaviour of people, leading to
harmony in society. Durkheim believed that social institutions are like
organs in a human body: they all have to work together to keep the
social body healthy and happy. For example, the family and the
education system both socialise children to follow social norms and
school rules to make sure that social order is maintained.
Parsons said that religion also makes sure that society is kept stable.
It does this by helping people to deal with life crises. For example, if a
loved one dies, religion explains what will happen to them after death
and
comforting the bereaved. Also, the funeral gives friends and family the
chance to support each other. This means that people can pick up the
pieces and continue to play their part in social activities, eg continue in
their work and family roles.
Another aspect of the functionalist approach can be illustrated by the
example of crime and deviance. Functionalists tend to have a very
positive view of society and the way it operates. Durkheim even
stated that crime has a positive function. We need to have some crime
in society in order to have some social change. If people don’t push
the boundaries of what is acceptable, society will stagnate and not
progress. For example, the civil rights movement in the USA caused
disruption at the time, but it was just enough to bring about more
social equality for oppressed groups such as Afro-Americans. The
other problem for functionalists is if the crime rate became too high:
then there would be social disorder. There must be therefore a healthy
level of crime in society – not too high, not too low.
EVALUATION
Marxists criticise the functionalist view for:
Functionalism
This is a structural consensus theory, which means that it sees
society as influencing and guiding the behaviour of people, leading to
harmony in society. Durkheim believed that social institutions are like
organs in a human body: they all have to work together to keep the
social body healthy and happy. For example, the family and the
education system both socialise children to follow social norms and
school rules to make sure that social order is maintained.
Parsons said that religion also makes sure that society is kept stable.
It does this by helping people to deal with life crises. For example, if a
loved one dies, religion explains what will happen to them after death
and
comforting the bereaved. Also, the funeral gives friends and family the
chance to support each other. This means that people can pick up the
pieces and continue to play their part in social activities, eg continue in
their work and family roles.
Another aspect of the functionalist approach can be illustrated by the
example of crime and deviance. Functionalists tend to have a very
positive view of society and the way it operates. Durkheim even
stated that crime has a positive function. We need to have some crime
in society in order to have some social change. If people don’t push
the boundaries of what is acceptable, society will stagnate and not
progress. For example, the civil rights movement in the USA caused
disruption at the time, but it was just enough to bring about more
social equality for oppressed groups such as Afro-Americans. The
other problem for functionalists is if the crime rate became too high:
then there would be social disorder. There must be therefore a healthy
level of crime in society – not too high, not too low.
EVALUATION
Marxists criticise the functionalist view for:
