Unit I: Scholarly Activity Sociologists Study Social Phenome

Unit I Scholarly Activitysociologists Study Social Phenomena That Are

Sociologists study social phenomena that are relevant to them in terms of the social climate in which they live. Today’s climate involves: the aftermath of a war in Iraq that left Iraq ripe for ISIS militants, a radical Sunni group determined to return Iraq to pre-war Sunni control, a struggling economic recovery from a deep recession at home, the crashing auto and housing industries resulting in huge unemployment and mass foreclosures, and a schism between political parties so wide that nothing is being accomplished as each party works diligently to stop the other from passing legislation. With all of this upheaval, it is not surprising that many sociologists are now researching and writing about terrorists, economic upheaval, and the loss of identity due to the loss of jobs.

During all of this turmoil, the first African American was elected President of the United States. Many changes have taken place since President Obama’s election and reelection to the White House. Few of these changes have been debated as much as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For this assignment, you will use your sociological imagination to ferret out some of the issues behind this debate.

Facts

Go to the government healthcare website and find three facts about the ACA. List and describe each fact.

Applying the Perspectives

Using your understanding of theory and the chart on page 17 of your textbook, explain how a functionalist, conflict theorist, and interactionist would explain the Affordable Care Act. Be sure to discuss the ACA in terms of each perspective’s view of the individual, social order, and social change. Do not debate the ACA itself. Rather, use these perspectives to understand how a sociologist studies the Act.

Personal Beliefs

In a sentence or two, describe your personal beliefs about the ACA.

Sociological Imagination

Use sociological imagination to explain how you developed your beliefs concerning the Act. Include a discussion of a minimum of two of the following: race, class, gender, religious and political affiliations, and how being part of these groups affects your thoughts on the Act.

Research Process

Finally, using the materials in Chapter 2, how might you study people’s beliefs about the ACA? Describe the steps you would follow in the research process to answer this question. Be sure to describe your study, the method, and a few specific questions you would ask.

Paper For Above instruction

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, represents a significant overhaul of the American health care system aimed at increasing coverage, reducing costs, and improving healthcare quality. Three key facts about the ACA include: first, the ACA expanded Medicaid eligibility to include individuals earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, thereby increasing insurance access for low-income Americans (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2021). Second, the law established health insurance exchanges—marketplaces where individuals and small businesses can compare and purchase insurance plans, often with subsidies based on income (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2022). Third, the ACA mandated that most Americans obtain health insurance or face a penalty, enforced through tax filings, a provision known as individual mandate, though this was effectively nullified in 2019 (Congressional Budget Office, 2021).

From a functionalist perspective, the ACA is viewed as a social institution that promotes stability and cohesion within society by ensuring that a healthy population remains productive and reduces the burden on emergency healthcare services. Functionalists might argue that individual mandates and subsidies are mechanisms to maintain social order by integrating diverse groups into the healthcare system, thereby promoting societal stability. They see social change as a gradual process driven by the need to adapt institutions like healthcare to societal needs, emphasizing the law’s role in maintaining societal equilibrium (Parsons, 1951).

Conflict theorists interpret the ACA as a reflection of power dynamics, where the policy benefits certain groups—primarily those with greater economic resources—while marginalized groups may still face barriers to access. Conflict theorists highlight how healthcare reform often perpetuates existing inequalities, with insurance companies and political elites influencing legislation to protect their interests. They emphasize that social change in healthcare is often contested, with policies serving the interests of dominant groups rather than achieving equitable access for all (Marx, 1867; Grusky & Szelényi, 2018).

Interactionists focus on how individual experiences and social interactions shape perceptions of the ACA. They may analyze how people's understanding of health insurance policies is constructed through everyday conversations and media representations. For instance, individuals may interpret the law differently based on their personal health experiences, political beliefs, and social networks. Social change, from this perspective, occurs through ongoing interactions that influence individual attitudes and behaviors toward healthcare policies (Blumer, 1969).

Personally, I believe the ACA was a necessary step toward making healthcare more accessible and equitable for all Americans. I see the law as an adaptive response to the systemic inequalities in our healthcare system, aiming to reduce disparities among different socioeconomic groups.

Using my sociological imagination, I realize my beliefs about the ACA are influenced by my socioeconomic background and political orientation. Coming from a middle-class family, I have experienced the importance of accessible healthcare firsthand, which shapes my support for the law. Additionally, my political affiliations align with those advocating for reform to protect vulnerable populations. My race, as an Asian-American, also influences my perspective, as I am aware of disparities faced by minority groups within the healthcare system. These social identities inform my positive view of the ACA’s potential to reduce health disparities and promote social justice (Mills, 1959; C. Wright Mills, 1959).

To study people's beliefs about the ACA, I would employ a qualitative research method such as focus groups or in-depth interviews. First, I would define my research question: "How do different social groups perceive and experience the ACA?" Next, I would select a diverse sample representing various races, socioeconomic statuses, and political affiliations. I would then develop open-ended questions such as: "How has the ACA affected your access to healthcare?" and "What are your perceptions of the law’s fairness?" Data collection would involve conducting interviews in a comfortable setting, followed by thematic analysis to identify common themes and differences in perceptions. This approach would help uncover the social and cultural factors shaping beliefs about the ACA and inform sociological understanding of healthcare attitudes (Babbie, 2010; Creswell, 2017).

References

• Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. Cengage Learning.
• Creswell, J. W. (2017). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. SAGE Publications.
• Congressional Budget Office. (2021). The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2021 to 2031. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/57085
• Grusky, D. B., & Szelényi, I. (2018). The Inequality Reader: Contemporary and Foundational Readings in Race, Class, and Gender. Routledge.
• Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021). Summary of the Affordable Care Act. https://www.kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/summary-of-the-affordable-care-act/
• Marx, K. (1867). Capital: A Critique of Political Economy. Verlag von Otto Meissner.
• Parsons, T. (1951). The Social System. Free Press.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). The Health Insurance Marketplace. https://www.healthcare.gov/
• McIntosh, P. (1989). White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Peace and Social Justice Program, Working Paper 189.
• Mills, C. W. (1959). The Sociological Imagination. Oxford University Press.