Sociological Perspectives on Society

Sociological Perspectives on Society

• Functionalism: Views society as a system where parts work together for stability and solidarity.

• Conflict Theory: Argues society is composed of groups competing for limited resources (e.g., wealth, power), leading to conflict between classes, races, or genders.

• Feminist Theory: Highlights gender inequality, emphasizing the intersection of gender with other social categories (e.g., race, class) and the importance of women's perspectives. Seeks to dismantle patriarchal structures and traditional gender roles.

• Symbolic Interactionism: Focuses on how society is constructed through daily interactions and shared meanings. Individuals' interpretations of symbols (e.g., language, gestures) are crucial in shaping social realities. Emphasizes individual agency and how actions shape social phenomena.

Family Structures

• Nuclear Family: Parents and one or more children.

• Single-Parent Family: One parent and one or more children.

• Extended Family: A nuclear or single-parent family residing with extended family members.

• Same-Sex Family: Two same-sex individuals with or without children.

• Blended Family: A family where one or both parents have children from a previous marriage.

Social Clocks

• Chronological Clock: Reflects age and defines adulthood based on years since birth (e.g., age of majority, voting). Ticks at a consistent pace, but longer due to increased life expectancy.

• Biological Clock: Reflects physical changes with age (e.g., sexual maturation, reaching full physical capacity). Considerably faster now than in the past due to improved nutrition and healthcare.

Adolescence

• Pre-industrialization (pre-1850): Children were seen as infants until they began work; social class determined whether children worked at home or elsewhere. High infant mortality.

• Industrialization (late 19th century): Movement from farms to factories; families moved to cities. Work roles changed, and some children worked with parents. Less emphasis on work as sole family focus. Children married younger and left home sooner.

• 20th Century: Labour laws protecting children; increased importance of schools; mandatory schooling ages (14/16). A distinct "teenager" demographic emerged.

Mate Selection

• Arranged Marriages: Couples' families approve partners. Associated with lower divorce rates and happier marriages.

• Courtship: Evolved from British customs. Men called on women, left calling cards; Families discussed selection.

• Dating: Developed from courtship. In the 1920s, men paid for dates, demonstrating resources. Different stages (going steady, etc.) in the 1930s through 1960s, and evolved into a casual, recreational activity in more recent times.

• Mate Selection Theories: Individuals are drawn to similar backgrounds based on factors like age, race, socioeconomic status, political views, religion, appearance.

• Ideal Mate Theory: People select partners based on an unconscious ideal; They assess their "resources" (attractiveness, wealth, etc.) and seek a mate who values them.

Developmental Perspective

• Understanding one's own identity influences relationship selection. Individuals need an established sense of self prior to entering into relationships.

Evolutionary Psychology

• Women prioritised men offering resources for raising children.

• Men preferred women with potential to bear healthy children.

Social Exchange Theory

• Partners balance resources; seeks to gain advantage through mate selection. Explains couples where one partner is significantly older.

Functions of Family

• Reproduction

• Providing care

• Socialization

• Controlling behaviours

• Providing nurturance

Reasons for Divorce

• Communication issues

• Infidelity

• Financial problems

• Incompatibility

• Substance abuse

• Domestic violence

• Lack of intimacy or emotional connection

• Parenting conflicts

• Mental health issues

• Cultural or religious differences

Emotional and Physical Infidelity

• Emotional Infidelity: Emotional connections with someone outside the relationship.

• Physical Infidelity: Sexual encounters or relationships with others.

• Online/Cyber Infidelity: Virtual interactions outside the relationship (e.g., sexting, online relationships).

Issues of Young Adulthood

• Women generally live longer than men; caregiving implications.

• Elevated mental health concerns.

• Suicide rates have risen since 1970; more common in men, often associated with hopelessness and lack of control.

Access to Education

• Students from lower-income families often incur higher education debt.

• Tuition costs are consistently increasing.

Emerging Adulthood

• Issues include leaving home, forming relationships, completing post-secondary education, and obtaining employment.

Functionalist View of Marriage

• Marriage is a social institution meeting basic human needs, instrumental for social organization.

Historical Look at Marriage

• Marriage as a social construct for identifying offspring and establishing care provision; economic units focused on nurturing and socializing children.

Explore fundamental sociological theories such as Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Feminist Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism. This quiz will help you understand how these perspectives apply to different family structures and societal interactions. Test your knowledge of the key concepts and discussions surrounding these theories.