Functionalist theorists

Functionalist theorists

1. Functionalists argue that there will always be some inequality in society and that this is functional for society.
2. Explain the argument.

Functionalist theorists compare society with how the human body functions. They view the society as composed of interrelated components, which must function in unison to ensure the bigger system worked. As a lens from which social inequality can be considered, functionalists point out manners in which inequality is operational for society. According to the functionalist perspective, the contrast between the ethnic and racial groups is mostly cultural (Gordon 1964). The group of minority members ends up being part of the large group; hence, their original distinct group identity lost. The perspective ignores that assimilation has a similar experience for entire ethnic groups, assuming the historical slavery legacy and discrimination in terms of race in our society, and ignoring that the group that is dominating is the one whose identity and culture is preferred. The minorities are ready to assume, and also assuming that social integration is an objective that is shared.

One of the functionalism version discusses the status and income differential accorded different professions. To work, society needs to have individuals working in various occupations as cleaners, teachers, clerks, and physicians. As a result of individual ability, broad training, and advanced degrees needed for more specialized positions, individuals in those professions get rewarded with their earnings getting increased as well as status than those people whose jobs need less specialization.

1. Do you agree with this functionalist theory?

No, I do not agree with the functionalist perspective. Considering the dysfunction linked with racism for example not taking advantage of subjugated group talent, diversion of the society from other purposes, energy and time required to sustain artificial racial boundaries built, and considering amount of time, energy, and money spent on maintaining different and equal systems of education before the coming of civil war movement. Functionalism perspective was not able to respond to social change, or structural battles and contradictions, and more also for assuming organized inequalities, including class, sex, and race, which resulted in fighting and tension. The functionalist theory easily permits for particular tiny analyses of contentious authority imbalances, e.g., race associated issues. It also allows for micro-reviews of modern oriented sociology, e.g., recognizing formation and socially built nature of the race. There was less adaptation to acknowledging personal discrimination because it assumes the inequalities that bring battles and tension.

2. Looking at Figure 3.4 and Table 3.4 of the textbook, clear racial and ethnic differences in income and educational attainment are evident.
3. explain how conflict theorists would look at these differences

Conflict theory concentrates on class competition on scarce resources. The upper class witnessed battling with those below them (workers), in an attempt to maintain their riches, prestige, and power. This theory implies that the class system was deeply anchored since the have’s controls social institutions. (e.g., law, education, churches, and politics) Set them the advantages of their values and positions and also due to them transferring spoils to their kids. The same is a fact to the have nots who also move what they possess to their children. The disadvantage is that they have little to pass on.

Conflict perspective address that the majority of people in unskilled jobs end up I such employments due to social inequality. They had no opportunity for education and other opportunities enjoyed by those who are able than them. However, they argue that, given equal chances and support, the majority of those in low paying jobs could work in higher positions.

1. Can affirmative action in employment and education help address racial and ethnic differences in income and educational attainment

The executive order, which was signed by President Johnson, mandates state contractors to possess affirmative action towards potential minority workers in all factors of employment and hiring. Contractors are expected to maintain appropriate proactive steps to make sure recruitment is conducted equally without bias to nationality, religion, and race. The affirmative action also introduced the use of particular objectives for workplace desegregation.

The affirmative action approach is the only way through which historical, societal discrimination that minorities encountered before got solved (Kaplan and Lee 1995). Through affirmative intervention, people color and females have earned more public employment. They have also been able to access learning, which they were denied before (Yee 2001). If the affirmation policy was not into existence and ethnicity, sex, and the race was used as a part of the hiring process. Women’s employment status and minorities underrepresented would be worse. Affirmative action proceeds on by requiring workers to take affirmative procedures to accomplish a balance of employees’ representation

Affirmative efforts have assisted in financial assistance programs, increasing minority representation in colleges, and the majority of campuses depend on a holistic admission perspective that considers the candidate’s public service, innovativeness, and other traits, as well as race. Title VI of affirmative action allows race, country of origin, gender, and disability, to offer opportunities to a class individuals disqualified, e.g., female and minors, who were denied educational opportunities. Affirmative action has acted as a tool of promoting g diversity in higher learning, and for social justice.

3. Interactionists see gender and sexual orientation as social constructs.
4. Explain how interactionists theory looks at gender and sexual orientation

Sociologists may discourse gender social construction by analyzing people’s cultural expectations depending on their sex. E.g., in America, skirts are viewed to be very feminine. Dresses are not inherently feminine; however, this is a social construction. In other states, e.g., Ireland, it was not perceived wearing a dress is feminine.

The interactionist approach concentrates on definitions linked with sexual orientation sexuality. In U.S. society, femininity is devalued; those who practice such attributes were ridiculed; this is a fact mostly for men and boys. Before 1973, the American association of psychology described homosexuality as an abnormal disorder. The interactionist approach acknowledges the impact this has made. Before 1973, APA was active in modeling social attitudes directed to homosexuality by describing it as pathological. Currently, APA dictates in the linkage between psychopathology and sexual orientation and views homosexuality as part of healthy human sexuality.

1. Identify a social problem related to either gender, gender identity or sexual orientation and briefly describe a possible solution using ideas from the interactionist perspective.

Interactionism’s goal is to understand how humans behave by analyzing the role of essential symbols in human interaction. Yes, this is important to masculinity and femininity discourse. For example: imagine you enter a bank with hopes of borrowing a small loan for a business venture, home, or school. If you meet with a loan officer who is a male, you may explain your scenario logically by mentioning all the things that place you as a qualified candidate as a way of appealing to the analytical features linked with masculinity. If you meet with a loan officer who is a female, you may tend to make an emotional appeal by mentioning your functional purposes as a way of appealing to the considerate personality linked with femininity.