Structural Functionalism in Dysfunctional Setting - Essay Example

Structural Functionalism in a Dysfunctional Setting The basic premise of functionalism has traditionally been rooted in the need to describe the nuclear family unit and its requirement to provide the basic necessities of life and provide a secure environment for procreation and the socialization of the children. However, recent decades have been confronted by deviance that does not fit the Functionalist mode. Bringing the deviance into the Functionalist explanation of the world requires a rethinking of structural functionalism and removing the ridged limitation placed on it by previous researchers such as Murdoch who in 1949 contended that the "...nuclear family is universal and necessary for human social life" (cited in Ingolsby, Smith, & Miller, 2004, p.13). The movie "Paint Your Wagon" (1969) offers several deviant family relationships that fit the functional theory while residing outside the long held traditions of Functionalist thought. The movie "Paint Your Wagon" is set in the gold rush era in California where few women were present. Yet, in this setting the necessity of forming a male-female relationship is given additional importance. Early in the movie, when only males are present, there is a partnership formed between the lead characters of Ben (Lee Marvin) and Pardner (Clint Eastwood). In the Functionalist context that has the four primary functions of sexual regulation, procreation, socialization of the children, and economic security, this relationship fulfills only the economic security factor. The men long for female companionship and there is a material need to reproduce and have children to carry on the species and develop a healthy family environment. This healthy environment is introduced by the Mormon family that is passing through the town and the man that has two wives. Though the polygamy of the situation may appear to be deviant, in the context of the wilderness and the rugged setting its purpose is to reproduce and provide security. The women are loved and respected equally and both have recently had children. This family unit satisfies the traditional Functionalist perspective of the nuclear family. However, due to the scarcity of females in this setting other relationships are formed that serve to function as nuclear families even though they are non-traditional and against social norms. It is this situation that evidences the functionalism perspective that needs to be viewed in context of the time and place. It can not be the rigid definition held in the 1950s that only reflected the ideal family structure of that time. Today there are a number of unique family arrangements. There are gay marriages, extended families, multi-generational households, and single parents. All these arrangements serve a function to the basic needs of society and are no less a part of the Functionalist perspective that the traditional male-female marriage with children. In "Paint Your Wagon", Ben and Pardner decide to share a wife, Elizabeth. She loves both men and both men love her. In the context of the gold rush California era, it is functional. Elizabeth provides the housekeeping and cooking and the men provide the economic and physical security. The natural transition would be to introduce a child. Though the case of multiple husbands is rare, it serves a functional purpose in this structure. Communication evolves as well as relationships based on the needs of the society. According to Butler (2003) , "Language has evolved to satisfy human needs; and the way it is organized is functional with respect to these needs - it is not arbitrary" (p. 45). Relationships and families follow the same course to satisfy human needs. In "Paint Your Wagon", sexual needs are provided by imported prostitutes and social needs are provided by the one woman that the main characters share. This is evidence that the functionality of relationships has evolved to fulfill the needs of the current environment. Structural functionalism has only failed because it has failed to accommodate the evolving society and shifting cultural norms. Structural functionalism has the added obligation of explaining what doesnt work as well as why a nuclear family is the basis of society. In "Paint Your Wagon", the town has little hope for longevity or the addition of children. While there are temporary relationships formed that provide the necessary physical and economic security that is fundamental for family life, there is little hope for reproduction and a long-term plan for the species. Most relationships are based on the primal need for survival. Structural functionalism has not overlooked these deficiencies in the film. Structural functionalism indicates the structure needed to provide a fertile atmosphere for procreation, socialization, and an orderly society. In the end, the protagonists in "Paint Your Wagon" destroy their relationships as well as the town. Though their unusual relationships have served them through a time of survival, the lack of sound sociological structure has been a weakness. Structural functionalism has its roots in the Judeo-Christian values. In the movie, the deviant relationships are termed heathen, while traditional families with a one man and one woman marriage with children are termed well respected. Modern functional structures that do not fit the 1950s mold of a male-female relationship that provides reproduction, socialization, and economic security may not suffer the same fate in their less threatened environment. Structural functionalism must be updated and evolved as a theory to keep pace with modern social contracts and norms. A rigid theory can not explain widespread deviance. As these behaviors are accepted by society as normal, the theory continues to work. In a situation such as "Paint Your Wagon", we can see the validity of the theory by the profound failure that a lack of functional structure has on the setting. By the end of the movie, there is widespread destruction that paves the way for new cottages with picket fences, children, and a healthy environment for Pardner and Elizabeth to procreate and provide an economically secure environment. The theory of structural functionalism has only fallen out of favor due to its rigid commitment to the Judeo-Christian values and the attempt to explain it in the context of all time. In fact, structural functionalism is an evolving theory that must continually account for the changing norms of society. "Paint Your Wagon" was void of many of the features of a well-structured and orderly society. As a result, the town and its inhabitants met with disaster. However, the stop-gap relationships that existed carried the people through the hard times and set the stage for a new society. This is the elasticity required for the explanation of structural functionalism and why it is appropriate for the explanation of todays relationships. References Butler, C. S. (2003). Structure and function: A guide to three major structural-functional theories. Philadelphia: John Benjamin Publishing. Ingolsby, B. B., Smith, S., & Miller, E. (2004). Exploring Family Theories. Cary, NC: Roxbury Publishing Company. Logan, J. (Director). (1969). Paint Your Wagon [Motion Picture]. United States: Paramount Read More