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Real World Introduction To Sociology Analysis

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What does family mean to me? I began wondering after reading chapter twelve of Real World: Introduction to Sociology edition: 5th by Kerry Ferris. Hence, I want it to apply the three of the sociological perspectives and to critically analysis my family. Sociologists define the families "as groups of people who are related by genetics, marriage, or choice, and who share material, emotional, and economic resources" (Crash Course: Sociology). In most cultures, family means more than a relative by just blood or marriage. A family is a place where one can feel secure. An opportunity where each individual of the family members has a chance to develop as a person. Family’s contemporary social issues can be applied in this perspective: structural functionalism, …show more content…

” ( Real World: Introduction to Sociology edition: 5th by Kerry Ferris, slide 18). George Murdock, a functionalist theorist identifies four major functions in his book Social Structure that he believes family performs. First is a stable satisfaction of the sex drive, that is the idea that husband and wife (heterosexual couple) have engaged in the sexual relationship and they have only sex with each other and that's is how they satisfy their sex drive. Secondly, from this, we have the reproduction of the next generation, that is having children shows that society continuous and does not die out the single generations. Next is socialization of the young. That is when babies are born, mom and dad socialize them into the shared value consensus of society. Finally meeting its member's economic needs. Everyone in the family has certain needs and usually a father will provide the family’s economic needs. An example, my family has run is very close to this theory, except when we lived in Iran my father was the only breadwinner, but living in America each of us has a responsibility to work to contribute to economic …show more content…

Symbolic interactionist theory of the family examined the family at the micro level that functionalism. It is focusing on the ways family members create and recreate themselves in everyday life. The importance of symbolic interactionism within a family is human social life and human family life. Therefore, it is important to building emotional bonds within your family. For instance, when a teenager arrives home with tears in his/her eyes because of a bully incident, a family will offer comfort and help. As the oldest sibling, I had the pressure to be the authority figure for my younger sister. My sisters looked up to my every move if I did any mistakes. At the same time, I provided help to them on how to make the same mistakes as I did. When it comes to family symbolic instruction, it is really interesting how particular roles and statuses shapes an individual within the family. For example, I am the oldest sister and my parents taught me as the oldest sister I have more responsibility. I spend my free time with my family; my social life includes school and work, and once in a month to hang out with my friend. The other side my youngest sister has a different relationship with the family. She calls once in awhile and checks up on the family, but nearly she doesn’t spend that much time with her family, but my parents will always offer an opportunity for

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In the functionalist perspective, socialization serves many functions for a society, social order by far being the most important. As well as providing psychological and economic benefits. However, in the conflict perspective, some aspects of socialization is harmful to children. Due to parent's massive power over their children, socialization can lead to exploitation and abuse to children. Lastly, the symbolic interactionists focus not on whether socialization is good or bad for society, but on how children develop a sense of who they are through interactions with substantial individuals in their lives.

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In sociology, there are three theoretical perspectives; symbolic interactionism, functional analysis and conflict theory. The major point of symbolic interactionism is to use symbols to help understand how we as a society view the world, and how we communicate with one another. In functional analysis, the major point is to look at society as a whole, constructed of various parts, or groups, that all have their own function. Lastly, conflict theory is the opposite of functional analysis. In this perspective, society is viewed as different groups, each competing for power, or dominance.

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In a family there are many different roles; there's the role of the mother, the father, the child, the grandparents, then there’s the brothers and sisters. Every single one of those roles has different responsibilities. The father, according to most of society, is supposed to be the breadwinner for the family. However, nowadays the mother is actually quite capable of being the breadwinner just as much of as the father. As they work to show their children what it is to be an adult they are teaching them as well on how to be an active member of society.

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Symbolic Interactionism shares resemblances of reliance with Functionalism due to the fact that Functionalism and Interactionism allocate society’s interdependence on large organizations, such as religion. Lastly, Interactionism gives credit to human interpretations, while Functionalism focuses on all the functions that make up a

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In my immediate family, my grandmother and mother are the leaders. My mother provides for us through work and my grandmother kept me company and cooked for me. She would watch me when my mom was still at work when I got home from

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The children learned basic norms and values from the parents. The parents supply the economic needs for the child such as foods and education (ResviseSociology, 2014). In a family, different person performs different role and function such as a mother should take care of her child. The important is the child can feel the love and support from their parents (Gordon, 1997). Family dysfunction may appear in broken families, violent families and divorced families, etc.

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The Family Systems Theory Family systems theory is a framework for understanding families and their strengths and dysfunctions. The strengths identified among family relations can be used to help solve existing problems. The same applies with problems identified. The family system theory is based on Bowen’s theory which argues that people cannot leave independent of each other’s network of relationships. People within a family are connected emotionally, which affects their overall well being and social relations and behaviour.

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James D. MacArthur defines a functional family as “One in which family members work together to improve relationships as they face challenges.” (MacArthur, 2009). For him, this kind of family is based on solid communication between its members. This way, it is easy for everybody to feel free and to feel comfortable with any other member. Communication is the key in family’s relationship because knowing the strengths and the weakness of its relative means the possibility to help the other to be a better person.

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This is seen when the understanding of femininity evolved from females being expected to stay at home and ensure the well-being of the family; to the present times, where women can be employed and contribute to the financial stability of the family (Langen, 2005). In this way social constructionism can be said to helpful in family therapy in that it recognises the different values and perceptions upheld in large cultural or ethnic groups, and how they help define a functional family relative to a specific time in history (Robideau, 2008). It also recognises that the meaning and interpretation of a reality is created and can be altered through conversation (Robideau,

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How might the following 3 theoretical approaches explore the topic of poverty in the family - structural functionalism, social conflict, symbolic interactionism? Structural functionalism a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability (Macionis et al,2013, p.10). Structural functionalism can be a very valuable theory when addressing poverty. It focuses on the structure of things and can be used to analyze the effects that structure has on poverty.

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In today’s world the definition of family can be defined with entirely different meanings that are as diverse as the many

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“The Changing American Family” by Natalie Angier states, “Fictive families are springing up among young people, old people, disabled people, homeless people, and may well define one of the ultimate evolutions of the family concept, maximizing, as they do, the opportunities for fulfillment of specific social and economic needs outside the constraints of biological relatedness.” The ever changing social dynamics and circumstances of this life have opened the definition of family to encompass individuals who can fill those deep-seated needs

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This essay discusses how the family is viewed by two different sociological perspectives- functionalism and conflict theory. Firstly, ‘family’ is defined. Secondly, the main ideas of functionalism will be discussed followed by how this theory perceives the family. The main ideas of Conflict Theory will then be examined and how conflict theorists perceive the family.

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For me it was my brother who socialized me because he was someone much closer to my age and could teach me things my parents didn’t necessarily know anymore. For me my brother is someone who acts as a mentor for me because he is much closer to my age compared to my parents and has more insight on the sorts of issues I may be facing. It makes my relationship with him much closer and is why his actions are so influential on my identity. Research conducted by Professor Laurie Kramer at the University of Illinois has shown a conclusion where parents are more likely to influence a child’s behavior in formal settings while siblings influence a child’s behavior in a more informal setting which is encountered on a daily basis for the child which can range from the way to behave in front of friends all the way to how to portray yourself in the outside world. While there is a lot of positive behaviors that can be influenced by an older sibling such as how to study, when to do your homework and how to make friends (Kramer in Ciciora, 2010).

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I believe that every family has their own roots, essence, uniqueness, beliefs and thoughts, some families have both parents, some just the mother, just the father, two mothers or two fathers, they might have an only child or two, or maybe 5 or even 10, therefore, those children start learning all these things from their family and surroundings, they ask questions, they imitate each other’s actions and are constantly learning and trying to catch as much information and experiences as possible. Children are growing fast, their parents are their role models, they learn mostly from them; parents have the tremendous job of forming good citizens that provide to society, healthy and happy beings that keep growing as humans in every stage of their

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