Asses Functionalist explanations of social inequality (40marks) Functionalism is a concencus theory that focused on the unity and harmony of society. Functionalists believe that society is a system that works together in order for it to funtction. Inequality is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions in a society and recurrent patterns of unequal distributions of goods‚ wealth‚ opportunities etc. There are many types of inequality such as social class
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Asses the Functionalist explanations of Social Inequality. (40) Social Inequality refers to any difference between groups or individuals in society which results in one having inferior life chances than the other. Functionalists believe these inequalities are the result of the meritocracy we live in. This is a system based on the idea that social stratification is necessary and desirable for the society. Functionalists argue that inequalities have a purpose; they are functional for society. Functionalism
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assess the functionalists’ theory of social inequalities The Functionalist theory believes that Social stratification‚ including age inequality‚ is necessary for the functioning of a healthy society. Their perspective of social inequality is the belief that "inequality is not only inevitable but also necessary for the smooth functioning of society’. Functionalists believe that Age has become more important in modern society; age provides the function of social integration leading to social cohesion
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outside the family. It seems to me that I would be more of a functionalist rather than a conflict theorist. In modern societies the boundaries between the functionalist theory and the conflict theory are less clearly defined than in the times of Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim. However the main class groups such as landowners and the working class can still be identified in most societies. It seems to me that I would be more of a functionalist rather than a conflict theorist. As our textbook says‚ "Functional
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A functionalist view of stratification views stratification as necessary for a society to function efficiently which enables it to reach its full potential economically and socially. Functionalists view society as a set of interconnected parts which work together to form a whole. (Haralambos et al 1996) Institutions are part of the social system they are a prime contributor to the maintenance of a society. The functionalist view has been criticised‚ this essay seeks to explore some of these criticisms
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Social inequality is the issue pertaining to the lack of housing‚ health care‚ education‚ employment opportunities‚ and status. It is the dismissal of people from participation in what we‚ the members of society distinguish as being valuable‚ important‚ socially desirable‚ and personally worthwhile. There are many different perspectives on social inequality within our society; the three areas I am going to focus on are those of the Functionalist‚ Conflict and Symbolic-Interactionist. The Functionalist
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Outline and assess the functionalist’s view of education Functionalists look at how society works in a scientific way to see how it works. They have similar ideas about education too. There are three main functions. The first is socialisation. Education is a source of secondary socialisation. It helps to teach young people values‚ norms equality and achievement. Schools are the main part of a child’s day and therefore influence them greatly. The second is learning skills. When in education‚ you
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Outline and evaluate the functionalist view of the role of the family in society. 33 marks - 25 minutes. A family is a kinship - people related by blood or marriage. Functionalism is a macro theory which means it looks at a wider sociological view. It focuses on the importance of the nuclear family (mother and father married with children)‚ the universality of the family‚ changing roles and how the nuclear family “fits” into modern society. The theory of “fit” is argued by Parsons‚ where he believes
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Discuss the functionalist view of religion‚ including both the functions and dysfunction it may serve. Functionalists believe that religion is a conservative force‚ and an institution which adds to the requirements of society. That religion fulfills basic human needs by providing framework within which society may function in harmony; religion contributes to society’s equilibrium. They say it ultimately operates as an agency of socialization. Durkheim (1912) said that all societies are separated
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Asses the functionalist view that religion benefits both society as a whole and its individual members. 33marks The functionalist view of religion stems from Durkheim who said that society is like the human body. He argued that that religion reinforces collective conscience that leads to a unity within society as a whole and that each member of the society is joined in solidarity‚ therefore it acts as glue. It does so by reinforcing social norms and values that bring the community together. It
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