Unit VII Social Structures Worksheet Complete The Chart Comp

Unit Vii Social Structures Worksheetcomplete The Chart Comparing And

Complete the chart, comparing and contrasting the different sociological perspectives on important social institutions like family, religion, education, and health. Provide a brief description of what each of the views says about the social institution. Then, discuss which view you think applies best for each of the social institutions. When you are finished, select “Save As” and save the document using this format: StudentID_UnitVII. Upload this document to Blackboard as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The sociological perspective offers diverse insights into the functioning and significance of social institutions such as family, religion, education, and health. These perspectives—functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism—each provide unique explanations about how these institutions operate, influence society, and contribute to social stability or change. In understanding these perspectives, it becomes possible to evaluate the social role of these institutions and consider which view applies most accurately to each.

Family

From a functionalist perspective, the family serves vital functions such as socializing children, transmitting culture, and providing emotional support. It is a core institution that promotes social stability by fulfilling societal needs for reproduction and care (Parsons, 1955). Conflict theory, however, emphasizes the role of the family in perpetuating social inequalities, including gender roles and class disparities, often reinforcing stratification across generations (Engels, 1884). Interactionism focuses on day-to-day family interactions, considering how relationships inside the family shape individual identities and social roles (Goffman, 1959). The functionalist view best explains the societal role of the family in maintaining stability, while conflict theory highlights the power dynamics and inequalities within familial structures. The interactionist perspective offers valuable insights into individual experiences but is less comprehensive in explaining societal functions.

Religion

Functionalists see religion as a unifying force that promotes social cohesion and moral order, providing a shared set of beliefs and practices that reinforce societal norms (Durkheim, 1912). Conflict theorists argue that religion can serve to justify inequalities, reinforce existing power structures, and maintain the status quo by pacifying the oppressed (Marx, 1844). Interactionists examine how religious beliefs and rituals shape individual identities and social interactions, emphasizing the subjective meaning of religious participation (Georg Simmel, 1906). The functionalist perspective effectively captures religion's role in fostering social integration, but conflict theory critically highlights its role in perpetuating inequality. Interactionism helps understand personal religious experiences and how religion influences individual behavior.

Health (U.S. Healthcare System)

Functionalism views the healthcare system as essential for maintaining societal health and productivity, providing necessary treatments, and specialized services to keep populations healthy (Lasswell, 1964). Conflict theory critiques the healthcare system by emphasizing disparities in access based on socioeconomic status, race, and other stratifications, arguing that health inequalities reflect broader social inequalities (Whitehead, 1992). Interactionism examines how patients and healthcare providers interact, and how individual perceptions of illness influence health behaviors (Mead, 1934). The conflict perspective best explains the systemic inequalities in healthcare access and quality, while functionalism underscores the system's importance in societal functioning.

Marriage

Functionalists consider marriage as a fundamental social institution that regulates sexual activity, fosters social stability, and ensures the socialization of children (Parsons & Bales, 1955). Conflict theorists view marriage as an institution reinforcing gender roles and patriarchal power relations that maintain social inequalities (Goldscheider & Goldscheider, 1993). Interactionists analyze how married couples negotiate roles, identities, and everyday interactions that shape their relationship dynamics (Goffman, 1959). The functionalist view explains marriage’s societal purpose, but conflict theory critically examines how marriage can perpetuate inequality and power imbalances. Interactionism provides insights into individual experiences within marriage.

Conclusion

Each sociological perspective offers valuable insights into understanding social institutions. The functionalist view effectively emphasizes stability and societal needs, conflict theory highlights inequalities and power struggles, and interactionism provides a nuanced understanding of individual experiences and meanings. Together, these perspectives enrich our comprehension of the complex roles these institutions play in shaping society and human behavior.

References

• Durkheim, E. (1912). The elementary forms of religious life. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Engels, F. (1884). The origin of the family, private property and the state.
• Goffman, E. (1959). The presentation of self in everyday life. Anchor Books.
• Georg Simmel. (1906). The secret of wealth. In G. W. Gore (Ed.), The sociology of Georg Simmel (pp. 134–154).
• Goldscheider, F. K., & Goldscheider, C. (1993). The changing transition to marriage: An historical perspective. Journal of Marriage and Family, 55(4), 929-942.
• Lasswell, H. D. (1964). Politics: Who gets what, when, how. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Marx, K. (1844). Economic and philosophical manuscripts.
• Mead, G. H. (1934). Mind, self, and society. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Parsons, T. (1955). Family, socialization and interaction process. Free Press.
• Whitehead, M. (1992). The health divide: Inequality in health. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.