Discussion and Analysis of the Three Family Theories - Research Paper Example

?Social s Social s Social s Introduction Since the existence of society, researchers have demonstrated that sociological theories played an important role in describing, explaining, and predicting observable events that occur in each social institution within the society. The evolvement of society from primitive to modern status has been understood with their application. However, there had been limited studies as to the impact of various sociological theories with the different social institutions. Less clear is the effects of functionalism, conflict, and interaction theory on the family. To evaluate the impact of these three theories on the family, the following questions are addressed: 1. How does each theory apply to family? What are the similarities and differences? 2. How does each theory affect the view of individual who is a part of the family? 3. How does each theory affect the approach to social change within the family? 4. Within the family, how does each theory affect the views of society? How do functionalism, conflict, and interaction theory apply to family? Functionalism applies to family in several ways. One is that it demonstrates one of the important tenets of functionalism theory where in the family has parts and each of the parts has its own function to play. Although, the roles are not directly dictated by the group, it is implied that members has to play them. This organizational set up of the family is deemed important for the family as a whole to maintain stability, to be able to survive, and to contribute to the nurturance of the society in general. According to Talcott Parsons, each member of the family has to perform certain task which should persist to achieve functional and efficient unit. Since family is one of the seedbeds of the society, parents serve to shape the values beliefs, ideas, and social nature of its members to be of significant contributor in the society. The same holds true for children who assume to hold the responsibility to uphold the ideals of their parents. Family functions to socialize and educate their members, and where adult personalities are established. In addition, family exhibits other concepts of functionalism where in aspects of social life that do not promote family values and consensus such as prostitution, robbery, and illicit activities are not maintained or passed from one generation to another. This is the reason why, if some members of the family decline to function in accordance to the accepted norms, parents has to drag them back to the mainstream society to regain balance. Not only functional theory applies to family but also conflict theory. Conflict perspective applies to family viewing it to be in continual struggles although not necessarily through aggressive means. Such misunderstandings and problems among members are endemic and cannot be totally disregarded because each member of the family has her own interest to pursue (Chafetz, 2001). Conflict might arise from simple disobedience of children or breakage of family rules to meet their needs. Other forms of struggle include favoritism of parents, scarce resources in the form of limited source of income, unemployment, individual differences, and others. Similar to the larger society, conflict theory assumes that this conflict is an inherent part of family relationship in which with the effort of the members is resolved just the same. The presence of conflict however does not mean members are not bonded but rather identifies the social, economic, and interpersonal challenge the family is subjected to. Interaction theory applies to family in such a way that it views family as a group of interacting people who learn and acquire mutual understanding of gestures, symbols, and words as they live their everyday lives. Whether members are in conflict or merely socializing within their group, they employ symbolic gestures to convey their views and be understood. Interestingly, this perspective analyses that some type of family role such as the role of husband and wife as they live together, the concept of gender role, the arrival of siblings and the reaction of the family, how external and internal events impact on role definition, and the concept of each family role are determined with their interactions. What are the similarities and differences of functionalism, conflict, and interactionism? Functionalism, conflict, and interaction perspectives view values, social changes, social conflicts, and rules of family from different vantage points. In functionalism, it views consensus within the family as a binding value and dwell on order. Its key concept is on the function of family that should be maintained for the society to stay stable. Conflict theory, on the other hand, considers consensus as imposed by dominant parents, thus, creating division between parents and children at times with the tendency to result in conflict. Its key concept is on inequality, capitalism, and stratification. Conflict could be in a form of social dispute, misunderstanding of facts, goods, ideas, and practices which are expressed through confrontations, violence or other forms. Interaction theory views value and consensus upon actual social behavior of family members. Actions and reactions are a result of interaction among family members. The key concept is symbols, non verbal communications, and face to face interactions. Both functionalism and conflict analyze society in a macro level, while interaction theory focuses on micro level giving attention to detailed understanding of family relationship. Although, often times, these three theories differ at some point, their similarity is imbedded in their desire to create change or to disturbed equilibrium within the society either through the approved means or the defective methods (Schaefer, 2006). How do functionalism, conflict, and interactionism affect the views of individuals within the family? With functionalism, the general view of parents is guided. For instance, parents ought to disperse their function as a controlling agent for every member of the family to go with the society’s goal of balance and stability. Along this line, behaviors and practices considered deviant in the society are identified. If a member is involved in any form of deviancy, she/he has to go through sanctions to show that such practice is not tolerated. Most often, the involved member has to be pulled back to the mainstream society for the family to gain equilibrium. Such situations may impact on the role of parents who are conservative and view themselves as dysfunctional. To them, deviancy threatens the existence of safe and decent society. With this, children are also guided with their views of the functions of being a parent and may do the same when they become parents themselves. They will come to learn that to survive in a balanced society is to live in accordance with the accepted social norms dictated by their culture. Their view of cooperation, patriotism, and camaraderie within their family is strengthened. Although, functioning independently, children internalize they are not distinct from the main society and that they need to cohere (Colomy, 1986). Subsequently, conflict theory positively affects the view of parents regarding their role as it provides them more power and authority imposing rules of coercion. Parents view children as followers and that they impose their decision making is the best for the family. In addition, they view children as weak and poorly fitted to enjoy prestige and power. On the contrary, children view parenting negatively so that it is considered as a form of exploitation and manipulation regardless of the ultimate goal of parents. The functions of parents as a controlling agent is considered as an artificial role intended to suppress their freedom to exercise their own decision making. Children equate this organizational structure of family to be similar with any organization where a group of people controlling the economic means are capable of silencing those whom they exploit. Interactionism affects the view of parents either affirmatively or unfavorably. For instance, if a child’s reaction or gestures shows in conformity with her parent’s decision making, this heightens parent- child involvement considered positive to parents. However, in situations where there are pouting, raising of eyebrows, even confrontational arguments or any antagonistic signs are viewed as negative by parents. As a result, parents tend to evaluate their decision making as to the extent of its effect to the family as a whole. On the other hand, children may view negative reactions of their parents as hindrances or signs of bad decision or behavior. Whether children agree or not, such interaction is viewed as disciplinary action for children to more cautious in behaving. Despite difference though, parents and offspring interact harmoniously. How does each theory affect the approach to social change within the family? Functionalism affects the approach to social change within the family when functions of members are altered. Alteration could be in the form of additional responsibilities due to additional member of the family such as the arrival of a new baby, moving in of grandparents, or merely extension of family. Another factor affecting the changes in functions is the invention of new gadgets. This is apparent with the introduction of computers, cell phones, ipads, and other forms of technology. Family which is used to be the basic unit of the society providing protection, entertainment, and support to the members of the family is no longer functioning as such but rather became too busy with other things. This turned the family as highly urbanized and the social bond holding members together is already in question (Cowan, 2008). The social life of parents and children these days has changed from conservative to liberated form. According to the proponents of this theory, social change is inevitable as this is essential in an attempt of man to transit from simple life to the complexities of it and to maintain social structure. With this, man has to self-adjust and to self- develop both physical and social as a means to maintain equilibrium. Conflict theory is, perhaps, the most influential approach to social change. It influences almost every decision making of family members. Children who are against some decision of their parents may rebel and go on with their way. Some children become disrespectful and not following house rules or obey parent’s request. On the contrary, parents who wish to maintain the ruling status keeps on demanding their children be good followers. This, according to Karl Marx, persists because parents have the ability to maintain status quo in which children demand change. Although, this does not mean that children will change the domination, this signals that parents has to change their ways of dealing with their children. Karl Marx pointed out that social change within the family is significant since it is important in correcting inequalities and injustices within the family. Apart from this, the theory further affects the approach to social change by serving as a tool for people who desire to stop the ruling class to continue on their practices and free themselves from the injustices caused by them. Interactionism theory affects social change within the family in a way that it provides new ways of confronting situations. Observation has it that interactionism has influenced children these days where in they readily react to give signals to their parents in cases of disagreement. There are already various new symbols and gestures introduced by children as a way to protest. An example would be to hang a head phone in full volume if parents are giving a piece of advice. Negative and positive reactions serve to seek empathy from other members to change traditional ways. Interactionist assumes that to effect social change, they need to act employing gestures, signs and words if change is not achieved through mutual understanding. How does each theory affect the views of society? Functionalism affects the view of society by providing a basis for the different functions of the social institutions. Family, for example, includes functions such as regulation of sexual activity, replacement of members, socialization of members, social placement, intimacy and companionship. Since these functions are not always stable, people have to find ways to adapt to disturbances. According to Merton, people adapt to disturbance in the society in five ways to include conformity, innovation, retreatism, or rebellion. Individuals who use conformity accept the approved means of achieving their goal. However, people who innovates, accepts the goal of society but achieve it through improper ways. Retreatist demonstrates the withdrawn individual where in the accepted means and goals are rejected. Rebels may replace new means and new goals. Functionalism also affected how people think and act with the innovations. Although it is a common idea that each institution has their own function, some of them are becoming dysfunctional with the changes in their role they play in the society. Conflict theory has changed the views of the society in different ways. One is that it provided people a reason to go against those who are abusive. Examples of these are the rallies and demonstrations happening around the globe today. If before, social changes are achieved through peaceful method of settling disagreement, today people have to go to street to fight for their rights. The society seemed to learn that employing aggressive method is the most effective means of instilling changes within the government, school, family, church and in other social institutions. Conflict theory provided the society a disposition to reduce the power of those who are in authority and to equally distribute the wealth of those who are blessed with richness. Interactionism affected the view of society with a concept that gestures are effective in creating changes within the society. With this theory, views of countries that employed extreme reaction to dispute inequality could be adopted by other countries to do the same. This is also evident today. An example of this is the case in the Middle East, particularly Libya, where people react because they wanted change of their government. They became tired of being followers of a powerful dictator. Since this is considered as an effective way to oust the powerful, it is being followed by other countries in the Middle East. Conclusion Although, the impact of functionalism, conflict, and interactionism on family varies, it is evident the family as a whole and the point of view of family is impacted. Functionalism demonstrated how family functions and adapt to the changes, conflict perspective provided the family members a basis to equalize power within the family, and interactionism also provided ways and means to show disagreement with other members. Gestures and reactions are further affected with the emergence of technologies (Motai, 2011). References Chafetz, J.S. (2001). Family conflict: The application of selected theories of social conflict to an understanding of conflict within family. Youth and society. 13( 2) Colomy, P. ( 1986). Recent development in the functionalist approach to change. Sociological focus. Vol. 1. Cowan, R.S. ( 2008). The industrial revolution in the home: Household technology and social change in the 20th century. Jstor. Vol. 17 (1). Retrieved from http://econ2.econ.iastate.edu On March 4,2012. Motai, L. ( 2011). The impact of emergent technologies on interpersonal and community interaction of the future: A thematic analysis of selected novels of William Gibson and Vernor Vinge. Proquest. Schaefer, R. (2006). Sociology. New York. McGraw-Hill companies. Read More