Unit 10 sociological perspectives
17-11-2020
Functionalism
Functionalism and understanding society
Functionalism is considered useful for understanding society on the grounds that it
successfully shows us that social institutions are connected to, and dependent on one
another. Functionalists view society as a system-a structure of integrated parts that fit
together to form a whole. Functionalism is often compared to the human body meaning
that if one institution stops working (or a human organ) then the entire system (or body)
collapses. It all stems down to the point that if we all as a society fulfil our roles then
society will function and if we do not then society will collapse it will not be able to go on
functioning. Another way to think of it is we as families rely on schools to educate our
children and schools rely on funding from the government to keep our children educated
and in return the government then rely on the education system to turn our children in to
educated law abiding citizens who then pay tax.
Functionalism related to health and social care
The functionalist emphasize that good health and effective health care are essential for
a society’s ability to function, it is our responsibility to go to the doctors to ensure we are
healthy, and we are not sick for a prolonged amount of time, eating well and exercising
are all a part of this role. The functionalist approach emphasizes that good health and
effective health care are essential for a society's ability to function. Also, as families rely
on educating their children so that they can go on to get good jobs and pay their way
through life they believe this then allows the economy to grow as they are paying tax
etc. This helps us understand health and social care as it says that for society to
function its members need to be healthy.
Strength and Limitations of functionalism
Functionalism is not as effective to look at society as everybody deviates from the norm
in some way or form. Functionalism is based on giving the parts of society roles to keep
things stable. It also looks at society in a macro scale and does not look at people
alone. A group cannot stray from the path otherwise other roles that rely on that group
cannot function properly making society unstable. If a person in society benefits from
functionalism then other people will benefit from that. Society tends to seek stability and
avoid conflict as it is classed as dysfunctional.
Marxism
Marxism and understanding society
17-11-2020
Functionalism
Functionalism and understanding society
Functionalism is considered useful for understanding society on the grounds that it
successfully shows us that social institutions are connected to, and dependent on one
another. Functionalists view society as a system-a structure of integrated parts that fit
together to form a whole. Functionalism is often compared to the human body meaning
that if one institution stops working (or a human organ) then the entire system (or body)
collapses. It all stems down to the point that if we all as a society fulfil our roles then
society will function and if we do not then society will collapse it will not be able to go on
functioning. Another way to think of it is we as families rely on schools to educate our
children and schools rely on funding from the government to keep our children educated
and in return the government then rely on the education system to turn our children in to
educated law abiding citizens who then pay tax.
Functionalism related to health and social care
The functionalist emphasize that good health and effective health care are essential for
a society’s ability to function, it is our responsibility to go to the doctors to ensure we are
healthy, and we are not sick for a prolonged amount of time, eating well and exercising
are all a part of this role. The functionalist approach emphasizes that good health and
effective health care are essential for a society's ability to function. Also, as families rely
on educating their children so that they can go on to get good jobs and pay their way
through life they believe this then allows the economy to grow as they are paying tax
etc. This helps us understand health and social care as it says that for society to
function its members need to be healthy.
Strength and Limitations of functionalism
Functionalism is not as effective to look at society as everybody deviates from the norm
in some way or form. Functionalism is based on giving the parts of society roles to keep
things stable. It also looks at society in a macro scale and does not look at people
alone. A group cannot stray from the path otherwise other roles that rely on that group
cannot function properly making society unstable. If a person in society benefits from
functionalism then other people will benefit from that. Society tends to seek stability and
avoid conflict as it is classed as dysfunctional.
Marxism
Marxism and understanding society
