Real World Introduction To Sociology Analysis

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,

” ( 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

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