Sociology is as an essential aspect in understanding the concept of family, its structure, role, and composition. However, the sociological study of the family requires a clear understanding of family, sociology and the relationship between them. Brinkerhoff, Weitz and Ortega (1) define sociology as the systematic study of social organizations, social interaction and the society.
Nonetheless, the society cannot exist without the basic units such as a family. As such, a family is a fundamental element in the society traditionally composed of parents and children (Beenstock 28). A family may also refer to people of common ancestry (clan), a group of individuals sharing a roof (Household) or a group of people brought together by certain beliefs or common connexions (fellowship) (Beenstock 28). While the family is a component of the society, its role in the socialization process is significant in determining the nature and characteristics of the wider community. Therefore, the sociological analysis of the family investigates the family as a social setup that determines the quality of the society by looking at roles, perceptions, and expectations of the community.
Sociological Perspective of the Family
The sociological view of the family falls under three distinct categories derived from the sociological theories. A review of chapter one of the book, “The Study of the Society,” reveals that there exist three approaches to understanding human social interactions (Brinkerhoff, Weitz and Ortega 3). First, the structural-functionalism theory addresses how social organizations and stability are stabilized within the society. The approach bases its assumption on balance, harmony, and change. Stability assesses whether patterns may contribute to the maintenance of the society or not while harmony investigates if the components of the society, work harmoniously for the good of the whole society. Additionally, change occurs through dynamic adjustments of the social structures to accommodate emerging needs. Thus, structural-functionalist scrutinizes the nature of the social structures to determine their positive functional and dysfunctional impacts on the society (Brinkerhoff, Weitz and Ortega 2).
Secondly, conflict theory is founded on the Marx Weber’s ideology of viewing the world regarding conflict and change (Brinkerhoff, Weitz and Ortega 6). The argument assumes that competition over scarce resources, structural inequality, and social change creates both conflict and change in the society hence social theorist are concerned with the social structures that create conflict. Thirdly, the symbolic interaction theory studies the purpose of human behavior and ways of creating such meanings. As such, the method investigates how social structures and relationships shape individuals and the society at large. Consequently, this paper uses conflict theory to analyze the family and its impacts on the society sociologically. Sociological reasoning forms the basis for this analysis.
Conflict Theory and Family
Conflict theory attempts to analyze the social structures in the society, who benefits from the established structures and how the privileged sustain such entitlements (Brinkerhoff, Weitz and Ortega 10). The family creates conflict by contributing to social inequality through economic inequality and patriarchy. Besides, the family adds to conflict through cruelty to its members, sexual abuses, assaults, and emotional violence. The ability to recognize how personal or family problems reflect the broader social structure or part of the more comprehensive system is instrumental in determining the extent to which conflict affect our families, fixate our children and determine the nature of our society. Most families’ today face a lot of issues ranging from poverty, divorce or loss of faith in self or family members thereby contributing to conflict in the family and society.
To start with, family as a social institution contributes to societal inequality by creating social classes (Brinkerhoff, Weitz and Ortega 15). Children identities do not only their opportunities in life but also creates social stratification. For instance, the method of passing or distributing family wealth in some societies is patriarchal hence creating income inequality and unfair treatment of girls and women in the community.
Besides, the amount of wealth owned by families differs significantly based on social status, roles, ethnicity, and race. For instance, most Hispanic and white minorities in the United States possess great wealth when compared to black Americans (Blair 55). Due to this unfair income distribution of income, the passage of wealth to the next generation further establishes the existing inequality hence creating conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariats (Beenstock 45). Further, a marriage arranged by parents and kin for financial or economic reasons for their children is not based on romantic love or courtship. Such decisions within the family further economic dominance by some classes or groups in India and Pakistan hence creating extensive hierarchical divisions within the society.
Subsequently, families are sometimes a source of conflict for its members. Even though the functional perspective assumes that families provide its members with comfort and emotional support, most families are characterized by abuses and violations. Assaults on children and women are very rampant in contemporary families. Neglect, physical and sexual abuse among children increases the rate of conflict and crimes in the society (Blair 100). For instance, children whore are abandoned at earlier stages of development by parents missed parental love and care resulting in adult fixation characterized by lack of empathy and involve in crimes as well as violence (Beenstock 18).
In addition, some parents may not be able to provide both financial and emotional support to their children due to low social status. As such, they fail to provide psychological and financial support to their children during their educational process. Circumstances restrict such children from accessing quality education, healthy living and learning environment as well as a high wastage rate resulting from incompletion of studies. Therefore, children of the rich tend to prosper more than children from poor household hence creating economic struggles among the poor (Brinkerhoff, Weitz and Ortega 8). Besides, unequal distribution of power between men and women in families traces its origin from cultural beliefs that were socially inclined towards men. Such philosophies perpetrate male chauvinism thereby making women be subjects to male ascendancy, which keeps them in subsidiary positions in all domains of community, work and family life (Blair 77). Consequently, men use their social, physical and economic power resulting from a dysfunctional social system to exercise coercion in relationships and suppress women.
Moreover, inequality in power distribution at the family level explains sexual and physical maltreatment of children. The excessive exercise of power over children disempowers and render them ineffective which explains the increasing rate of children vulnerability in the society. Therefore, addressing the issue of social inequality requires a sociological approach.
Conclusion
Social inequality and uneven distribution of power among families explains the reason for male domination over women and children in the society. The cruel mistreatment of women in the community is socially structured thus creating a patriarchal society. Besides, it essential to note that the hierarchical composition of the society is socially perpetrated by weak family and cultural values that created the structure which developed and maintained the existence of such individuals in the society. The broader societal problem traces back to the family upbringing and values imparted on children through the assignment of identities and roles right from childhood. Sexual inferiority, lack of dissenting voices among women and underrepresentation of women in different arms of the government in the current society is evidence of a traditionally dysfunctional social system.
Work Cited
Beenstock, Michael. Heredity, Family, and Inequality : A Critique of Social Sciences. The MIT Press, 2012. Print.
Blair, Sampson Lee. Economic Stress and the Family. Vol. 1st ed, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2012. Print.
Brinkerhoff, David, Rose Weitz, and Suzanne Trager Ortega. Essentials Of Sociology. 9th ed. Wadsworth: Wadsworth, 2013. Print.
Class Notes
