There are various sociological theories that people have come to appreciate their role in the society. They are functionalist, conflict, feminist, and interactionist theories. Functionalism theory is very old. Functionalist theory tries to explain ways through which the societies hold together (Livesey, 2010). Social conflict mainly occurs due to unequal distribution of wealth in the society and is between the ruling class and the subject class. Feminist theories came into existence with an intention of advocating for the right of women as they were seen to be inferior compared to men and lastly the interactionalists theory tries to explain the use of symbols in our day to day life (Psathas, 2013). The paper tries to evaluate the theories above and their implications in the society.
Functionalist Theory
The functionalist perspective tries to describe social organizations as collective ways to meet both the needs of an individual and the society. It is usually seen to operate like organisms with different social institutions like organs to maintain societies. Institutions are seen to come together and persist since they play a function of promoting integration in the society (Yakkaldevi, 2014). It has however been criticized due to its failure to account for social change and some people consider it to be conservatively biased. It has been criticized for attaching human-like need to the society. The work of Emile Durkheim’s is the one seen to be the foundation of the functionalist theory in sociology (Yakkaldevi, 2014).The functionalism theory has been underpinned by various key concepts namely collective conscience, value consensus, education, social order, family, crime and media. The theory is beneficial if applied in those sectors.
Collective Conscience and Value Consensus
Functionalists argue that achieving social request is critical if the society has to prosper. It accepts the fact that esteem arrangements structure the ultimate coordinating rule which is seen in the public domain. If sections of the society are believed to have imparted qualities they subsequently then have personalities that are comparative in nature. Their standards can mainly be portrayed as rules of fitting conduct such as lining when one is purchasing things (Yakkaldevi, 2014).
Functionalism and Education
Durkheim accepts the fact that training usually transmits the standards and qualities of any society. He argues that institutions bring together masses and transforms them into a united family which then play a great role in enhancing solidarity (Yakkaldevi, 2014). The instruction given to them in learning institutions prompts universalistic qualities and that training promotes socialization. Instruction matches them to occupations they are best suited.
Functionalism and Family
It accepts that family gives fours crucial capacities to the society namely sexual, monetary, instructive and regenerative. The family is essential in socialization as it gives young people both qualities and standards. It also settles identities that are grown up. It gives security to each individual in the relationship (Yakkaldevi, 2014).
Functionalism and Religion
Religion is essential in ensuring the social structure and prosperity of the society. It performs this role by showing qualities to people. Durkheim found out that totenism was the most accepted type of religion that had little gatherings making use of various images (Yakkaldevi, 2014)
Conflict Theory
It was invented by Karl Max. He argued that capitalism would produce its own gravediggers through the creation of circumstances under which failing economy would come into existence (Allan, 2006). Conflict usually results from purposeful interaction among two or more parties in a setting that is competitive. It refers that behavior that is overt rather than to the potential for actions. Social conflict refers to a kind of conflict where that parties are in the aggregate of groups and organizations rather than single persons. Marx gave a theory of social class which is the basis which we derive either stratification or inequality in the society. He argues that stratification systems are as a result of relationships of social groups to the productive forces. The two social groups exist namely the ruling class and the subject class. The ruling class derives their power from their possessions and due to their control of the forces of production. The ruling class is notorious for oppressing the subject class and this results in conflicts between them.
Marx developed various variables to demonstrate how different classes develop conflict among themselves. There is conflict over economic rewards between various classes of people. It is applicable in the modern society as the rich keep on fighting with the poor mainly with an intention of grabbing their land and other wealth as the poor cannot afford to seek justice. Political organization is also another reason for conflicts as countries with a poor political organization tends to be politically unstable. According to Max, social stratification tends to divide the society into two classes and there is also discontent due to unequal distribution of wealth.
Feminist Theory
The feministic sociological theory involves both an academic and a political method to the learning of the world. It refers to the set of theories mainly concerned with giving an explanation to the relative position of women in the society. It emerged as a response to the gender that seemed to be missing in classical sociology. It parallels the women’s movement. Durkheim argued that women needed to have control over the passions of men and this was to be done through the family (Winkler, 2010). He, however, saw women to be more primitive compared to men and also as a necessity for the civilization and stability of men. Max Weber, on the other hand, viewed women as more complex. He derived his understanding of the women’s role in his rationalization theories (Winkler, 2010). He thus believed that the status of women as oppresses member of the family was due to their lack of bargaining power in the contractual marriage.
Sex and Gender Distinction
Feminists scholars gave an emphasis on the distinction between gender and sex. The distinction was aimed at giving emphasis on the social basis of both gender and their roles. In the present society also, the women are striving to have their roles known to everybody and are advocating to be treated equally as the men. It is, however, becoming fruitful as the present women are seen to be capable to hold positions of power and even lead the men and still achieve the satisfactory results. The theory advocates for equality in political, economic and social sectors of the society (Winkler, 2010).
Interactionist Theories
Symbolic interaction theory states that people live both in the natural and symbolic environment. It claims that facts are directed and are also based on symbols (Aksan.Aydin, 2009). The main principle of the interactionists theory is that meaning we derive from the world around us is a social construction which is produced by the daily social interaction. The perspective pays special focus on our interpretation and usage of different things as the symbols of to pass information. It has been developed by theorists such as Dewey and Cooley. Schenk views symbolic interaction as a dynamic theory since he has featured meanings of objects in his theory. Mead argues that if the interaction was to be developed consistently then it could have led to a different outcome that is more interesting (Psathas, 2013). He further argues that gesture is always visible and may form part of a longer sequence of actions. He gives emphasis to the attitude, intention, and meaning as they are the source of significant symbols. The interaction approach gives special attention to the importance of labeling and the reactions of the society. People, however, criticize the interactionist theory in that it fails to say why people continue committing crimes even though they know they are seen to be deviant. It also does not explain the reason why some people are labeled as deviant and other people are not.
Mental Retardation
The theory is applicable in the field of mental retardation. It has made attempts to explain the reasons for the deviant behavior. The use of the interactionists theories has led to the deeper understanding of the mental illnesses, homosexuality, drug addiction and various forms of criminal behavior. The theory has implications for the field of mental retardation due to the symbolic interactions effects in an individual. People are considered to be mentally ill when they fail to appreciate the symbols and instead find it hard to know the meaning of the symbols even those that seem to be known to everyone in the society (Psathas, 2013).
Conclusion
The sociological theories discussed above have been seen to be of importance to the society today. The theories even though attract a significant amount of criticism from different people, they are significant as well. The functionalist theory has been found to be more relevant to various sectors of the society as compared to other theories. Interactionists theory is the least relevant. The functionalist theory is relevant in religion, education and family. Conflict theory is relevant in the political and economic sector. Feminist theory is relevant in the economic, political and social fields while the interactionists theory is applicable in the mental illness. The sociological theories have to be reviewed by different authors so as to make them more relevant to the current society.
References
Aksan.Aydin, D., 2009. Symbolic Interaction Theory. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 23 October, Volume II, p. 3.
Allan, 2006. Conflict and Critical Theories. Theory Cuumlationa and schools of thought, 22 November.p. 31.
Livesey, 2010. Functionalist Theories. Sociology Central Teaching Notes, p. 18.
Psathas, 2013. The Interactionist Perspectives of George Herbert Mead and Harvey Sacks. Social Science Today, 15 November, I(1), p. 13.
Winkler, 2010. Feminists Sociological Theory. EOLSS, Volume II, p. 11.
Yakkaldevi, 2014. Functionalism. Social Research for Social Science, p. 166.
