Other parts of society are expected to naturally resolve/balance existing social problems.
This is because it’s against social change. Critics of functionalism stress that it discourages people from actively changing and bettering the social context.For example, the traditional nuclear family may not be the best institution to raise and socialize children. Not every social institution is functionally indispensable (Merton, 1961).Offers a too harmonious view of society (Cheal, 2002).This helps individuals cooperate by following a set of agreed norms that define their behavior and objectives. The belief that social order is achieved through a shared culture and set of values that are formed by the members of society.and fulfilling the needs of society as a whole.Meeting the needs of individuals and social groups.demonstrates that social institutions can work at two distinct levels simultaneously.Read More: 10 Examples of Functionalism Strengths of Functionalism Seen through a functionalist lens, this example indicates how parts of society slowly adapted to a new situation and sought to achieve the well-being of the community. At the same time, educational institutions moved to online teaching. To ensure economic survival, distilleries started making their own hand sanitizer. Simultaneously, restaurants were closed due to government regulations.
In the case of the 2020 global crisis, there was a rise in demand for hand sanitizer. But they do not mirror fundamental societal faults. He focused on the matter of social order and the favorable (and functionally necessary) contributions of social institutions to social cohesion (Whitney, 1975).Īccording to functionalism, social problems threaten social stability. The origins of functionalism can be found in the work of French sociologist Emile Durkheim. In this viewpoint, institutions produce social stability and productivity. In turn, the state depends on its citizens to support it. This way, they can find a job and create/support their own families. In other words, families depend on schools to educate their children. In turn, families pay taxes to support the welfare state’s provisions (e.g., education and health). Likewise, societal systems comprise several institutions performing good things for the individual and society’s functioning as whole.įor example, the government provides education for children. Think about how the human body needs all its parts to function healthily as a whole. The functionalist perspective (see: functionalism in sociology) understands society as a grouping of moving, interdependent parts. References The 3 Sociological Paradigms 1. what each sociological paradigm stands for (with real-world examples).They do not merely fit in the positions that society set out for them. People make up their roles as they interact. We construct society through a range of symbols (e.g., words, gestures) and social interactions. Structural social change is required to create an egalitarian society.
Society is built upon enduring and pervasive inequality on the basis of social class, gender, race etc. Abrupt social change imperils social order. Social institutions (e.g., education, religion) contribute towards social stability. Social stability is a prerequisite for a healthy and strong society.