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Functionalism and Society

Functionalism views society as the integration or stability of various forces that function within it. To the extent the society is a separate entity with a life of its own, the result is the formation of social stability, with individual elements contributing to that stability (Schaefer, 2003). Functionalism as a theory emphasizes integration rather than dissociation of society. But functionalism does take account of social complexity and division of labor, which make up the social structures that shape individual and social-unit lives. The social system absorbs dysfunction or conflict and adapts it to social functioning.

Conflict theory is partly a critique of functionalism. For example, functionalism emphasizes the stability of society despite individual experience of anomie or dissociation from society, but conflict theory emphasizes a society that is actually structured around relative/unequal/competing states of power within it. Marxist and feminist commentary criticizes the social structure in terms of its unequal power relationships. Marx connects the notion of political power to class oppression, and feminism connects it to gender-based oppression. Power relationships can only be transformed via revolution, either political (Marx), or social (feminism).

Feminist theorists have noted that male dominance of social institutions--even social theory--has meant that gender roles very much determine the reality of social experience. Rape, domestic abuse, and sexual harassment show that women are socially subordinate to men. Only dramatic change in social structure can remedy these realities.

Interactionist theory focuses less on the social structure than on the social psychology of interactions between groups and between institutions and individuals. An important feature of this theory is the experience of self in society, especially the self's capacity to create symbolic communication. Processes of communication create the...

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Functionalism and Society. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 16:23, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1683000.html