Functionalism and Conflict Perspectives on Family - Coursework Example

The conflict perspective on family

This theory suggests that there exists a broad inequality in society that only seems to favor those with power and wealth. Under this theory, those with power and wealth use their power to seize control over the poor. The conflict theorists view the family as a means of continuing the existing socio-economic and political control by the rich. This perspective suggests that family wealth inheritance is the main mode of continuing inequality in families. Unfortunately, only a few women are favored by this idea since wealth inheritance in most families tends to lean towards men.

The feminist perspective on family
This perspective looks at the impact of family trends on women. According to this view, most families tend to subordinate women in major societal roles. Society is seen as subjugated purely by the capitalists who control all the means of wealth creation including the labor force that is supplied by the poor or the “have not” in society. Women are seen to suffer most since most of them remain at home as men go to work under low pay. They bring up their children with a lot of difficulties and have to be the means of bearing the stress that their men bring home.

Symbolic interactionism perspective on family
This perspective looks at some important elements that form society such as communication, various modes of interpreting issues,s and how members of the society adjust to various situations. The family is seen to have various modes of communicating issues and also different interpretations of such issues. Finally, the family has to acquire some means of adjusting to those issues either through performing some rituals or other diverse means. Read More