Pavandeep Bhangu
Group A
606401
Sociological perspectives
Sociology is the study of society, which primarily focuses on social structures as well as
groups. Sociology explains how groups can influence behaviour within different structural
societies.
An explanation of the principle sociological perspectives
Functionalism
There were five functionalists, who were Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons,
and Robert Merton. These five functionalists believed that society consists of different but
related parts, each of which serves a specific purpose. Therefore, in order to maintain a state
of balance the interconnected parts of society need to work together in harmony to ensure that
a contribution is made to the well-being of society. A strength of this approach is that it
explains how society reduces conflict through social control as well as socialisation. Another
strength of this approach is that it shows society has adapted to overcome economic changes.
However, a weakness of this approach is that it’s too optimistic as it suggests that family life
is continuously happy and good. However, Cheal (2002) claims that functional relationships
can easily slip into damaging relationships. For example, child abuse is a serious social
problem within the UK as 1 in 14 children have been physically abused according to the
NSPCC in 2011.
Marxism
Karl Marx was the founder of Marxism which is the name for a set of economic and political
ideas. Marxism is the struggle between the lower, middle and upper class. Furthermore, a
strength of this approach is that this theory analyses conflict and power within society. It also
explains why there is an uneven distribution of power and wealth between social classes. For
example, the lower class have a really low income as it falls below the poverty line where as
the middle class earn enough to over their expenses and the upper class tend to afford most
luxuries in life due to their higher education. However, a weakness of this approach is that
this approach only focusses on how behaviour is shaped between social classes. It doesn’t
focus on other issues affecting behaviour such as race, gender, religion and sexual
orientation. An example of Marxism is replacing private ownership with co-operative
ownership.
Feminism
This approach observes gender and its relation to power. It also includes race, sexual
orientation, economic status and nationality. There are 3 types of feminists known as radical
feminists, liberal feminists and Marxist feminists. Radical feminists focus on the patriarchal
structure of society, which means they don’t want society to be controlled by men. They
believe men are responsible for most of the problems caused in this world, and that women
can do a far better job. They want women to realise how much they’re being exploited by
men. Liberal feminists concentrate on equality for women through their choices and actions.
,Furthermore, they achieve this through campaigns for same job opportunities as well as
becoming members of parliament and promoting equal pay. Marxist feminists focus on
explaining why women are oppressed within their own homes as well s through capitalism.
They want women who maintain domestic household duties to get paid. A strength of this
theory is that awareness is increased regarding inequalities created by gender. Furthermore,
another strength is it reveals what family life is really like for some, which supports women
and children by freeing them from domestic violence and abuse. However, a weakness of this
theory is that it doesn’t mention the domestic labour of men as well as the increasing
educational and economical accomplishments of women.
Interactionism
This approach was introduced by Herbert Blumer, which primarily focusses on the
relationships among individuals within a society. Interactionism focuses on a smaller scale of
social interactions. For example, how individuals interact with each other or how people
interact in small social groups. Symbolic interactionism explains how individuals within a
society interact with others. For example, individuals behave based on the meaning we give
something. A strength of this approach is that it underscores the relationship between certain
behaviours in a way certain behaviour may be predicted. However, a weakness of this theory
is that it neglects the emotional aspect of human conduct, focussing primarily on logical
behaviour. An example of symbolic interactionism is I may want to sit under a tree, the tree
means that I am able to cool down on a hot day as it provides shade to me. Therefore, we act
depending on meaning. However, a person may tell me the tree is infested with ants. We give
meaning to things based on out social interactions. For the person talking o me, thinks the
tree is infested with ants, therefore they may avoid it. Whereas I haven’t seen any ants, so I
stay which shows we have different views and opinions of the tree and act differently.
However, if an ant then bites me later, it means that a meaning we give something isn’t
permanent, therefore our opinions can change due to everyday life.
Collectivism
Collectivism benefits all the people associated with society and decisions, which refers to
culture, society and economy that values groups over individual interests. The strength of this
approach is that equal opportunities are offered for all, therefore people have the right to
equal opportunities without being discriminated against, based on their differences such as
class distinctions. Furthermore, another strength is that conflict amongst individuals are
reduced as they have equal opportunities, which means they remain engaged in pursuing their
common goal. However, a weakness of this approach is that it offers a lack of motivation,
which means a lot of the people would be less motivated to work because the rest of the
people would shoulder the burden of taking care of their needs.
New Right
The New Right approach developed in response to changes in the world, which started in the
1960s as well as the 1970’s. Many of these changes included the decline of usefulness of the
concept of first, second and third world due to the increased diversity between countries in
the developing world. The New Right says that government interference in the market will
distort the balance of supply and demand. For example, the regular giving of aid upsets the
price of good and supply of labour. A weakness of this theory is that the New Right blames
, the victim for problems not of their own making such as low wages. Furthermore, another
weakness is that the New Right see the nuclear family as superior. However, a strength for
this theory is that the New Right emphasise the positive aspects of the nuclear family.
Postmodernism
This approach is an intellectual movement, which became very popular within the 1980’s and
the ideas associated with it can be seen as a response to the social changes occurring with the
shift from modernity to postmodernity. An advantage of this approach is that it analyses the
growing impact of mass media on society. However, a disadvantage of this theory is that it
fails to recognise the constraints on the individual of the huge social inequalities which still
exists based on economics, gender and ethnicity. Another disadvantage of this theory is that
it’s a confusing theoretical approach, as different thinkers emphasise different aspects,
therefore it can be misinterpreted.
An explanation of sociological approaches in relation to health and ill health
Marxism approach to health and ill health
The Marxism approach defines ill health depending on what social class an individual is
categorised in. For example, it is less likely for individuals who are in a higher class to
become ill as they have a higher life expectancy due to factors such as good housing, good
education and clean air as well as good quality of life. However, individuals who are in a
lower class are more likely to become ill as they can’t afford healthcare or good housing
which leads to a lower life expectancy.
Interactionist approach to health and ill health
The interactionist approach looks at individuals’ choices and takes their social roles into
account. This approach explains social behaviours between social groups such as families,
friends and even health care professionals. Interactionists primarily focus on complicated
relationships with other individuals in these social groups which has as much influence as a
medical diagnosis to decide whether an individual state themselves as being ill.
Feminist approach to health and ill health
Feminist writers have focused on this male domination of the medical and the adverse impact
this has had on women. Childbirth as well as pregnancy was regarded as a medical issue
sometimes even as an illness rather than a natural process.
Feminists believe that the exploitation of women by a patriarchal society, have contributed to
the fact that more women suffer from depression, anxiety and stress than men. All the above
problems are treated as medical issues rather than natural causes.
Functionalist approach to health and ill health
The functionalist approach considers how health and illness is looked at from the work of
Talcott Parsons. He said that in order for all individuals within society to work efficiently and
effectively, individuals need to be healthy. The rights linked to this approach was that you
had to be free from a social act e.g. go to work or college or paying tax, another right is to be
cared for. Parsons saw this as a main function of a family who cared for sick and other family
members who relied on the family group. The responsibilities linked to this approach
involved the individual to take reasonable steps to improve to look to continue their normal
