Conflict Theory Of Alcoholism Essay

Theoretical explanations of alcoholism can explain this social issue through conflict theory, functionalism, and symbolic interaction. In “Exploring Marriages and Families”, author K. Seccome explains that conflict theory is issues that portray from inequality of power. Alcohol abuse can be understood as a response to the conflict between people who hold power and those who do not. People with high levels of power have a voice in legalizing the status of substances which creates and directs social norms that people of lower power are entitled to obey. In theory, alcohol is a response to inequality of power. Functionalism indicates the structures and systems that balance social institutions. Different parts of society have specific roles that

Underage drinking can be influenced from parental alcohol abuse or from social pressures from peers. Author D. Quinn from Sandstone Care implies that underaged drinking damages brain development which will affect academic performance. Long term effects can lead to memory loss and weakened attention span. Teenage drinking can lead to injuries, health issues, and accidents that puts stress on the whole family. The family has to work through and experience these issues, which often leads to fights that weaken relationships in a family. Since teenage drinking is illegal, parents may have to face consequences for accidents that may happen while their child is under the influence (2022). Alcohol abuse from a parent or a child equally puts a family in a crisis and can tear the strong bonds that hold a family together

From Vital Speeches of the Day, author E.M. Jellinek suggests that the first step to solving this ongoing subject is recognizing the existence of this global issue. The “National Committee for Education on Alcoholism” uses an example of how solving alcoholism should be approached. The goal of the provided committee is to educate society on the truth of alcoholism. The mental, physical, and social damage it has on an individual and the functioning society. Education is very important to the solution of alcoholism, because it prevents people from turning to alcohol and it encourages those affected by alcohol to get treatment. An uneducated public on the disease of alcoholism creates a hostile attitude towards suffering individuals who need help recovering from alcoholism. Society puts people who experience alcoholism in jail for this illness. An educated society will recognize the difference between alcoholism being a crime and an illness. Educating society is a major step in solving alcoholism, and there are three topics to help society understand alcoholism and alcoholics. The article states these three concepts: “One, alcoholism is a disease and the alcoholic a sick person. Two, the alcoholic can be helped and is worth helping. Three, alcoholism is a public health problem and therefore, a public responsibility” (1947, p. 254). Through education, society can learn and