Introduction
As disclosed by Kollmuss and Agyeman, human behavior is an interesting phenomenon that is difficult to predict and often influenced by the surroundings of an individual (246). To understand some of the human behaviors and what influence them; researchers mostly psychologists have often been involved in experiments to find out this critical information. Alternatively, sociologists have used the information on human behavior to explain some of the connections between human behavior and the society (Denzin 16). These research created the basis of sociological perspective that explains the viewpoint on human social behavior based on three perspectives; functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. To explain the uncovered vast mass gravesite marvel at Hart Island, the use of these sociological perspectives is vital in providing the appropriate interpretation.
The Functionalism Perspective
The stories of the victims buried in the mass graves are those of needy members of the society, those with no family and unaccounted for, immigrants, and the sick who die due to illness with large medical bills, and the old. Morgues are unable to retain the large numbers of dead persons in their facilities due to their relatively small capacities and lack of sufficient resources. Therefore, the burials of unclaimed bodies at Hart Island made sense based on the functionalist perspective. According to Walby, functionalism views the state as a system of interconnected parts that harmoniously work together to maintain balance and social equilibrium (461). The lack of facilities and storage for the increasing number of corpses at the morgues influenced the resolution to bury the unclaimed bodies in Hart Island in mass graves. The state decided to provide room for service of recent death victims to be stored, which is among the latent function in the morgue sector.
The Conflict Perspective
The Conflict perspective on the issue at Hart Island demonstrates the illegalities involved with some of the corpses buried in Hart Island. Conflict theory states that society is made up of several groups and interests that are competing for power and resources (Tajfel and Turner 74). The conflict perspective is highlighted by the demands for educational cadavers by medical schools with significant influence in the corpse business. Additionally, the presence of cartels who deal in the selling of corpses is a clear indication of the authority and power of some groups in the society over others and may have led to the events of Hart Island. Understanding the conflict theory explains the power that medical schools have in the American society and how they abuse power through irregularities in processing corpses. Contrastingly, parties such as hospitals, hedge funds, lawyers, and custodians of the dead persons are embroiled in battles for the wealth that is left behind, which often leads to neglecting the dead bodies or the unavailability of funds to claim and bury corpses.
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Lastly, the symbolic interactionist perspective offers a fascinating interpretation of the large mass gravesites found in Hart Island, due to its reflection on micro-sociological aspects instead of macro-sociological perspectives as Functionalism and Conflict Theory Perspectives. Denzin points out that symbolic interactionism concerns itself with the psychological dynamics of individual interactions, which influence human behavior through the construction of several definitions and meanings, and sustaining them through symbolic interaction with others (29). Symbolic Interactionist perspective explains that human beings are susceptible to responding to the interpretations of situations rather than taking into account the objective situation itself. This is the case of the investigations on Hart Island, which focuses on the issues of mass graves and the bottom class of the society being the victims, without consideration of the impact the burying of corpses in the area has on the state of New York. The burial of dead unclaimed bodies in the island provides the state with a sustainable solution in the disposal of corpses, which provides the morgues with sufficient capacity to keep operating and continue serving the state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sociological perspectives provide reasonable explanations that help in understanding the reasons behind the massive mass gravesite in Hart Island. Functionalism explains the need to have equilibrium in the society whereby morgues remain in business, and the unclaimed dead are buried. Conflict theory highlights the imbalance of the society whereby there are struggles of power and resources that influence the decisions on mass burials on the Island. Lastly, the symbolic interactionist perspective explains the human reaction to the information on mass gravesites in Hart Island and highlights the bias involved in their interaction in the society. Understanding the sociological theories aids in explaining and predicting the social behaviors of people in the social context in which they live.
Work Cited
Denzin, Norman K. The research act: A theoretical introduction to sociological methods. Routledge, 2017.
Kollmuss, Anja, and Julian Agyeman. "Mind the gap: why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behavior?." Environmental education research 8.3 (2002): 239-260.
Tajfel, Henri, and John C. Turner. "An integrative theory of intergroup conflict." The social psychology of intergroup relations 33.47 (1979): 74.
Walby, Sylvia. "Complexity theory, systems theory, and multiple intersecting social inequalities." Philosophy of the social sciences
37.4 (2007): 449-470.
