Inequality Applying the Functionalism Theory - Essay Example

HERE HERE YOUR HERE HERE Inequality applying the Functionalism Theory INTRODUCTION Functionalism Theory is scaffolding for establishing theory in sociology which views society as a multi-faceted system where disparate parts work together to encourage harmony and constancy (Macionis 14). It is a macro-level approach to the domain of sociology in which the focus of evaluation is on different social structures that influence the organization of society holistically in which the predominant belief is that society has evolved in the same fashion of organisms, as a result of proximity or contact. Functionalism observes social structures and the functions of society, as an aggregate whole, and addresses such influences as traditions, social norms, institutions and even customs. This perspective sees society analogously as the support organs that guide effective operations of a body that leads to a well-organized and stable social system. Concurrently, equality is defined as a situation where all members of society are given the same rights and status, pertaining to legal protections, the rights to property ownership, in terms of economics, education and even identical accesses to product outputs and social services. The guarantee of equivalent opportunities in professional environments and in human rights protections are also a component of equality in contemporary society. Equality, in liberal societies, should be afforded to all members of society regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity and other important characteristics. Inequality is the opposite of equality and involves maintaining social disparity between diverse members of society where opportunities are made unequal. This essay attempts to illustrate the concept of inequality and its impact on society utilizing the sociological perspective of functionalism theory. The essay focuses on gender issues, class status divisions in society, and professional inequality that occurs in contemporary society. Inequality, from a functionalist perspective, breaks down social cohesion and stability that is vital for building a sense of national identity. GENDER INEQUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL INEQUALITY Though gender inequality is on the decline in the United States in contemporary society, founded on growth in protectionist legislation that provides equal opportunities to all sexes, it is still a prevalent influence in depleting social cohesiveness. Gender inequality maintains its roots all the way back to the classicism period, a historical era ranging from approximately 1000 B.C.E. to 500 A.D. in which gender roles were determined by Greek cultural influence. During this period, strength, physical prowess and masculine anatomy were considered to be important factors that made the distinction between human superiority versus inferiority. It was commonplace during the classicism period for male sexual anatomy to be depicted in a variety of art forms to represent social supremacy. Male nudity was constructed to establish social hierarchies segregating male and female members of society in which male genitalia was representative of immortality and strength (Meadows 2). Female nudity was considered to be an indicator of weakness and the construct of immorality. These values, throughout future epochs, were carried forward and established the foundation of the modern gender role expectations in society that often continue to promote inequality for the two sexes. Hence, as is agreed upon in functionalism, gender inequality is a product of evolution of many inter-connected social systems that have progressed over time. There is still a lingering, long-standing social belief that women should be taking on roles as mothers and housewives and that females should remain limited to these obligations. Gender stereotypes in certain cultures dictate that for a woman to accept occupational opportunities out of the home would be inappropriate unless first fulfilling the obligation of child nurturer and housekeeper (Shah 118). However, from a functionalist perspective, what causes this perception that inequality is appropriate and socially acceptable? Many traditions of European and Mid-Eastern members of society were transferred to now-Westernized nations (such as the United States and Canada) as a result of immigration that occurred between the 16th and 20th centuries. Long-held, historical stereotypes about females being inferior to men have been a part of foreign societies and cultures for millennia and with each new generation, the same social norms and governmental institutions that established policies regarding the acceptable role of women in society were conveyed to new nations when immigrants maintained these same social values and taught them to each new generation. One should consider an example occurring in the United States during the 20th Century to explain how inter-connected social structures broke down the barriers of inequality for men and women. As the country was forced to enter World War II, there was a dramatic shift in industrial output in order to support war efforts and the military. Between 1900 and 1940, women were still considered to be inferior to men both physically and cognitively and were expected to maintain children and the household which was a social norm for the period. By 1940, multiple industries were developing that required laborers to sustain corporate and industrial growth and improvement to meet new consumer demands for better and more innovative products. Concurrently, the government required substantial increases in militant product output and there were simply not enough male laborers in society that could fulfill these industrial obligations. As a result, women were invited to enter the workforce as a means of contributing to war efforts, even though social stereotypes about gender role acceptability still held the prejudice that women belonging in the household. One government-issued propaganda campaign asked women: “Are you able to operate an electric mixer? If so, you can also learn to operate a drill” (Kennett 43). Hence, using the functionalist perspective, it was the institution of government that maintained influence in breaking down long-standing social norms and traditions (a more potent force in society at the time) in order to fulfill a national need and secure national utility for security advantages. This served as the inter-connected agent in society that ultimately launched the beginning of women’s liberation ideologies and establishment of professional equality that has become a part of today’s holistic society. As a result of men and other stakeholders in society becoming accustomed with women in the workforce and their competency in producing quality product outputs, social norms shifted in favor of women’s equal career opportunities and, through time and social evolution, broke down traditional and long-standing prejudices about the role of women in corporate environments. Today, there are many laws that guarantee equality in pay and in career opportunities for both male and female citizens, as well as other disparate members of society based on age and ethnicity. These laws, as an institutional component influencing advancement toward a stable and cohesive society, were a product of government institutions as well as changing social sentiment (i.e. new norm establishments) that has occurred as a result of new generations, new social ideas and constructs, and experiences occurring between 1941 and 2014. Norms have been adjusted as a result of public service campaigns, lines of free trade that have opened internationally which exposes American culture to foreign cultural characteristics and ideals, and many social movements in the country that have included fighting for African-American civil rights and women’s liberation movements (to name only a few instances). Through these examples and new generational ideologies, norms, traditions, institutions and customs have evolved, as is described in functionalism, to support more equality and break down the impediments of inequality that once plagued national and global cultures. As a result, the majority maintains the highest level of influence to promote more social equality and corporate leaders are forced to comply, whether certain individuals agree with equal rights and opportunities, in order to satisfy the desire to establish a stable and unified national society and identity. CLASS STATUS INEQUALITY There has always been a very potent struggle to gain dominance in society that occurs among competing groups as it pertains to economics and financial advantages versus disadvantages. Especially prevalent in capitalistic societies, those who maintain higher financial resources are afforded a higher quality of lifestyle and are given more access to top quality and life-enhancing products and services. Those without significant financial resources are often oppressed by those who control economic systems and have a substantial income, which has evolved into class status divisions and establishment of class-based inequalities. There is a concept in consumerism known as conspicuous consumption, a phenomenon in which consumers that have high resources often devote high dollar expenditures on luxury merchandise as a means of illustrating to other important peer reference groups that they have attained high class status and sophistication (O’Cass and McEwen 117). Throughout history, government institutions have afforded more opportunities and rights to those with higher resources as a means of promoting more investment in corporate development and enhancing national economies, especially in periods where nations were regularly at war in an effort to seize important physical and labor resources. Hence, it became a social norm and custom for those with more economic advantages to be indulged by institutions and those with moderate or insignificant resources left to struggle and labor for the more advantaged groups of society. Modern elements of conspicuous consumption represent how social norms and customs have evolved over time where consumerism and merchandise now serves as a justification for social identity with high resource citizens. Class divisions as a result of economic disparity is, today, a part of Americanism, an ethos which describes the identity and values of the nation; one that is founded on freedom and liberty as two primary social beliefs. Institutions have established the foundation for capitalism that allows individuals to pursue wealth and prosperity without government influence, thus setting the groundwork which allows lower class citizens to attempt to thrive in social oppression and upper class citizens to be guaranteed the rights to this oppressive behavior. From a functionalist perspective, the consistency of Americanism as an appropriate social ideology actually provides cohesiveness as a social structure. CONCLUSION Functionalism is a form of realism and pragmatism that attempts to explain how a variety of social factors influence social attitudes and behaviors. As it pertains to class inequality, it is simply a product of centuries of influence of government institutions and changing social norms as a result of legislative advantages provided to high-resource citizens that serves as the foundation for today’s consumerist attitude and how upper class society members strive for dominance. Furthermore, functionalism would argue that establishment of social cohesion and solidarity, due to existing social expectations and norms, already exists as both lower class and upper class citizens have come to accept this power disparity and have learned to function under its premises effectively. This also pertains to gender inequalities: acceptance of gender-related stereotypes (or rejection of them) as a product of social evolution. WORKS CITED Ebrahimi, Fariba. “Effective Factors of Social Participation of Females in the Contemporary Society of Iran”. Middle East Journal of Scientific Research. 9.2. (2011): 262-269. Print. Kennett, Lee. For the Duration… : The United States goes to War, Pearl Harbor 1942. New York: Scribner. Print. Macionis, Gerber. Sociology. 7th ed. Canada: Pearson, 2010. Print. Meadows, David. Qatar and Greek Nudity Redux (with a bit of ESPN too). 2013. Classical Miscellany Web. February 4, 2014 < http://rogueclassicism.com/tag/greek-nudity/> O’Cass, Aron and Hmily McEwen. “Exploring Consumer Status and Conspicuous Consumption”. Journal of Consumer Behavior. 4.1. (2004): 25-39. Print. Read More