The Family and Theoretical Perspectives
The family is a common aspect that holds people together. However, in most situations, people tend to take for granted the existing relations among persons of a family. Most of the interactions in a family are hinged on various theoretical perspectives among them including functionalist, symbolic interactions and the conflict. The functionalist theory explains some of the expected tendencies among members of a family. The functionalist theory indicates that in a society people need each other and significantly this is what forms the fundamental aspects of a family (Thompson, 2013). In a family, people are blessed with different capacities and as such people need to benefit from each other.
Symbolic Interactions and Family Perceptions
With the symbolic interactions theory, it is argued that people tend to find a common definition of objects depending on the common culture. As a family, there is that way that people tend to perceive certain issues. For example, there is a difference between a middle class and a low-cost living family (Chamberlain-Salaun, Mills & Usher, 2013). For instance, a low cost living family would recognize the need to have food. On the other hand, the middle class is concerned about luxuries. Of the two families, one notices that there is a difference in how people perceive certain objects in life. For instance, in a family set up where a parent is a drunkard and does not meet his or her responsibilities, then, in such case alcohol will be interpreted as a source of irresponsibility in such a family.
The Conflict Theory in Family Relationships
The conflict theory offers insightful information about some of the differences that appear in a family. According to Zellweger et al. (2013) resources are scarce to the extent that they cannot satisfy everyone. As such, in a family arrangement, it happens that people fight for these inadequate resources and as such this results in issues such as sibling rivalry.
References
Chamberlain-Salaun, J., Mills, J., " Usher, K. (2013). Linking symbolic interactionism and grounded theory methods in a research design: From Corbin and Strauss’ assumptions to action. Sage Open, 3(3), 2158244013505757.
Thompson, M. J. (2013). A functionalist theory of social domination. Journal of Political Power, 6(2), 179-199.
Zellweger, T. M., Nason, R. S., Nordqvist, M., " Brush, C. G. (2013). Why do family firms strive for nonfinancial goals? An organizational identity perspective. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 37(2), 229-248.
