Structural Functionalism And Conflict Theory Analysis

There are three different types of theoretical perspectives that are used to describe society and how it works. Structural functionalism describes society as a system of different structures that work together to support a system, such as a government. A government is made up of educated individuals who in turn, support the education system to teach new individuals the political system. As the government continues to provide for the education system, the education system provides politicians and individuals who will work for the government (Larkin, 2015, para. 8). Conflict theory is the opposite of structural functionalism and states that society works as a constant battle for power, resources and prestige. It also states that there is a limited amount of

power available in society and when one group or class gains power, it is at the expense of another (Larkin, 2015, para. 18). For example, when an individual from a lower economic class begins to move up in social status, there is less resources and power for the individuals already apart of the upper class. This is popular in America where it is easy to move up in social and economic status.

While both structural functionalism and conflict theory are macro-level theories, symbolic interactionism looks at society at the micro level. Symbolic interactionism is the collection of relationships that people have between one another and states that people are thinking beings that use symbols to express what they are saying (Larkin, 2015, para. 25). When people have a conversation, they use symbols in the form of words and each word has a specific meaning; for example, house is not only a place of shelter but it also means family, love or comfort. Symbolic interaction also states that the situation is defined by the people involved, (Larkin, 2015, para. 27), such as roommates who live in a dorm during college. For one roommate, it could mean that they are on their own and independent from their parents; however, for the other it could be a place away from what they know and could make the experience unenjoyable. As a whole, society is formed from the relationships between people and how each individual and the situation form their views on the world; thus, symbolic interactionism is the way society is formed and

expressed.
The relationships that people form between each other is the backbone of society and without these specific relationships, society would fail to exist. Each individual is involved in a relationship with a person; whether it is a functional or dysfunctional relation depends on the situation. In a functional relationship between a husband and wife, it leads to a child being born and that same child being raised in a loving home. In turn, the child learns what a functional relationship encompasses, whether it be with a friend, a partner, superior or elder. The child learns respect towards his or her elders and superiors and learns how to treat others that are the same age. In a dysfunctional family, the child does not learn how to interact with others of the same age and those with more status. In turn, it leads to problems with other children and the elders of this particular child. Family relationships effect how a person responds to the rest of the world. For example, a child in a dysfunctional family could turn to violence and drugs resulting in a negative reaction to the relationship he or she has with his or her parents. This anger and resentment could then effect the relationship between friends, partners and superiors in the working world. These effects are seen in children and individuals who were abused when they were younger, and those same children often fail to become active parts of the working force and society. However, this same child could take a positive outlook at the situation and turn that same dysfunctional relationships into a learning experience. In the end, this child then knows the wrong way to communicate with other people and learns the proper way. There is also a middle ground between a functional relationship and dysfunctional relationship.