Sociological Theories and the Impact on the Family Institution

Sociological Theories and the Impact on the Family Institution

Introduction

Sociological theories are extremely beneficial in studying how the society operates. Moreover, the theories help us in understanding the interaction between people in a society. The family as a social institution is influenced by social changes. Therefore, sociological theories assist in understanding family issues and provide a way of solving problems by explaining how members of a family relate to one another. These theories are also beneficial because they help in the evaluation of how societal institutions operate.

Discussion

The conflict theory helps in understanding the social issues. It also entails arguments that the society comprises of various social groups that are characterized by conflicting interests. Conflicts in the society happen due to the competition between the dominating groups and the subordinate groups. The theory states that societal groups have differences in material and non material possessions. This has resulted to the emergence of the class system. The theory emphasizes on the causes and solutions to the class conflict in the society.

There is a difference between the conflict theory and functionalism. Conflict theorists claim that class grouping has contributed to the differences in people in the society in terms of power. The powerful individuals subject others into oppression; hence, contributing into conflict. Conflict occurs because of the differences in interests among different people that cause fight over limited resources. The main reason of the battles is to take advantage over others. The conflict theory provides an explanation why those with power subject others into servitude. For instance, the powerful individual in the society use force, coercion or intimidation to exploit the poor. Furthermore, conflict theorists argue that there are many material possessions such as money that contributes to the conflict or social disorder (Teevan & Edward, 2005).

The conflict theorists also support the notion that the society can be understood when it is analyzed in terms of competition between the limited natural resources in the society. There is the demand of the natural resources, money as well as leisure. Hence the competition on these resources is reflected in the social institutions such as the governments. The wealthy people in the society have access to more resources, which they utilize, to maintain their class system. The wealthy have power, and they are also very influential in an attempt to maintain their position in the society through subjecting others into servitude and slavery (Stephens & Leach, 1998). The conflict theory was coined to indicate the societal shortcomings as demonstrated by the structural functionalism theory.

On the other hand, the structural functional theorists claim that the society puts more attention on the societal instability rather than changes in society. Moreover, they claim that the society is characterized changes in conflict just like the advocates if the conflict theory. However, these theories differ hence making the conflict theory to be the best theory to be used in providing an explanation of the changed that are experienced in the society. The conflict theorists have three assumptions. For instance, they claim that the demands on the scarce resources in the society are the same in all societies. The other assumption is that, completion is a rampant feature in all human ties rather than consensus. It is also argued that the inequalities due to power differences and reward are the same in all social contexts. Individuals who benefit from the conflicts are comfortable and well maintained. Thus, individuals who compete for power struggle benefit from the conflict in order to maintain their hierarchies in the class system. The conflict theory also makes an assumption that changes that happen in the society happen due to the differences in the interests. The conflict theory is very crucial in providing an explanation to the causes of the societal conflicts and the changes that occur in the society. However, there are many limitations that are associated with the conflict theory. For instance, the conflict theory does not focus on the stability in the society when evaluating the society.

The societies may experience changes that may not be of significant impact; however, the basic elements that form the society gains stability for long since they are not influenced by changes for long (Stephens & Leach, 1998). The family as a social institution influences the society in various ways. For instance, the relationships between members of a family are influenced by the conflict theory. Like many institutions in society, the conflict theorists argue that families lack stability because the prevalence of constant conflict. Conflict is very common that occurs due to the competition of the scarce resources, differences in personal interest and power. Many people have applied the elements of conflict theory to their families in order to indicate the causes of lack of harmony in their families’ settings. Families lack stability due to the wrangles that and the quest to provide solutions to the differenced among the family members.

The proponents of conflict theory claim that conflicts are prevalent in the family as an institution. The notion that the changes in the family can be understood by evaluating and identifying the causes of the conflicts and power in the family set up and then providing solutions to the societal problems. Through understanding the conflict theory, family members can come up with various ways or solutions of copying with the conflicts. Family members can identify ways to curb or reduce the conflicts and the challenges that occur due to the emergence of the conflicts.

Better communication mechanisms in the family can be used to identify the nature of relationships between the family members. Lack of adequate communication between members result into conflicts.  Lack of adequate communication leads to misunderstandings in the family. Moreover, family relationships can be improved through the development of empathy and a better understanding. There should be a better understanding among the family members in spite of the differences that people have in the society. A family relationship that is characterized with a better understanding is better. Family members should promote peace among themselves in order to avoid exploitation of others. Challenges that can lead into conflicts in the family can be overcome when there is understanding between the family members. These challenges can be overcome by accepting change. In order to accept and adapt to these challenges, there should be flexibility among family members. Shepard (2004) posited that accepting change can minimize the prevalence of the occurrence of the family conflicts among family members. Sharing the available resources equally among the family members can reduce the occurrence rate of the conflicts in order to promote the family as an institution. However, the availability of the resources may not meet the requirements of the family members; hence, resulting to the emergence of conflicts and competition. Sherpard (2004) argues that the family members should share the available resources equally. It is a normal phenomenon for conflict to occur in every institution these conflicts are also very prevalent in the family ties. This calls for an urgent need to prevent the causes of the conflicts in order to bring beneficial changes into the family as an institution. Lack of the ability to manage the causes of family conflicts may contribute to other social problems such as separation and divorce. These problems are associated with poor relationship between the husband and wife or between other members of the family. The occurrence of conflicts in the family is evident in different areas of the family as an institution. These include marriage. Majority of the married couples always have a misunderstanding between them and are not able to manage conflicts. The result of the conflict between married conflicts has been associated with domestic violence due to anger as well as hostility. Therefore, the proponents of the of the conflict theory argue that it has helped many people to identify the causes of the conflict within the family as an institution and provide solutions that can enhance stability in the family hence making the family to become stronger.

The other sociological theory that is of paramount significance to the family as a social institution is the interactions theory. The theory has influence that family in a number of ways. The interactions theory deals with the understanding of how people interact in the society. The theory has undergone developments and is a very influential approach in understanding the society. The origins of the interactions theory can be traced from the contribution made by George Herbert and James parker. The developments of the theory were later supported by the contributions made by Herbert Blumer who made important developments in the symbolic interactions theory. The interactions theory can be understood through meaningful communication. The theory is concerned with the behavior of man that is determined by the meaning of the material possessions. This meaning occurs due to the interactions in the society which refers to a face to face contact that comprises of different things. The process of face to face interactions contains actions and reactions as well as a mutual relationship between the parties involved. This theory of interactions involves mannerism and body language. The main purpose of the social interaction theory is to understand how individuals communicate with one another. The nature of social interactions between people in the society is influenced by the body language. This can have an effect on human relationship in the society. Some individuals can interaction with other people through the conformation of the expectations of others. Furthermore, some people can avoid interaction to prevent the occurrence of other incidences that can have implications to the interactions in order to solve any social problem. According to the proponents of interactionism, control is an important element to prevent interactions. According to Ferrante (2010), it is important to control human behavior when interacting with others. This theory influences the members in various ways. For instance, the theory is understood how people interact with one anther in the society. The theory states that a family is a system that comprises of different personalities; therefore communication plays a crucial part. How people communicate within the family is very important to understand how they interact with one another. Family members are affected by the meaning that are attached to the words than an individual uses to convey a message. Moreover, the body language also affects the manner in which an individual may act. The family as a system is influenced by the personalities as well as self perception among individuals that are influenced by how they interact. For instance, the interaction between a child and a parent assists in passing of personalities as well as self concept from the parent to the child. Therefore, communication is very crucial in the transfer of personality. There is a relationship between the conflict theory and the interaction theory since it indicates the changes that happen within the family due to the nature of interactions.

Through adaptation to various circumstances within the family makes it possible for the family members to consider behavior change in order to prevent the negative influence of their social interaction. This fosters change in the family, since the theory of interactionism describes members of a society as independent. On the other hand, there is a difference between the interactions theory, the conflict theory as well as the conflict theory which are all elements of sociological theory. The interactions theory makes emphasis on the social interactions between people. The functionalism theory puts attention on the on various family elements that result into order and stability within the family. According to Ferante (2010), the interactions theory differs from the conflict theory since it does not focus on the family conflicts.

The functionalism theory also affects the family. It was developed by Durkheim who assessed how stability can be maintained in the society. The society is seen as a combination of various components that are put together to meet various needs. Theorist argues that various parts that form the society also affect the society; for instance the family as an institution.

The various components of the society are related to one another and each component has a negative effect to the society. For instance the family has led to the creation of the society in various responsibilities it plays. The most important element is that the society is charged with the responsibility of the reproduction. Moreover, the family is responsible in meeting the demands and protection of children. It is also responsible in the transfer of cultural norms and values to the younger generation. The family members enable children to learn cultural values and norms; it also provides them with the sense of continuity. Brym and Lie (2009), claim that children are able to understand the cultural beliefs and values through imitations from the family members. Those who support the theory claim that disorganization that exist in the society occurs because of the changes due to the in the ability to maintain change. When a single component of the society is weak, the entire component is affected, hence causing problems to the society in general. Changes that are experienced in the society may have both negative and positive effects to the society. Negative changes may greatly influence the society and lead to value losses and the inability to meet the demand of the family members. Consequently, positive change can foster stability within the family as a social institution.  Anderson and Taylor (2007) argue that functionalism determines the various segments in the society that can affect the functioning of the family as well as its stability. On the other hand, it can also determine how different parts of a society can affect social stability. The functionalism theory has greatly affected the society as a social institution in various ways. The proponents of the theory claim that the theory focuses on creating order and stability in the family. This is aimed at avoiding the dysfunction of family as a social institution. The benefits of the theory include the elimination of emerging problems within the context of the family in order to create stability. Functionalism theory has also impacted on the role of the family in the society; for instance, as stated earlier, the family is responsible for socialization and reproduction in the society.

Conclusion

There are differences and similarities in the sociological theories. However, they are very effective in understanding the behaviors of individuals in a family. Moreover the theories have greatly assisted in understanding how the society functions and interactions within the components of the society. The conflict theory has been very beneficial in understanding the causes of family conflicts and various ways of solving the problems. The importance of the functional theory is based on its importance of understanding how the various components of the family interact to bring stability and change. Consequently, the interactions theory is crucial in understanding how individuals within a family as a social institution interact with each other.

References

Andersen, M., & Taylor, F.H. (2007).Sociology: understanding a diverse society. Cengage Learning

Brym, R.J., &Lie, J. (2009). Sociology. Your compass for a new world, the brief edition. Cengage Learning

Ferrante, J. (2010). Sociology.  A Global Perspective. Cengage Learning.

Shepard, J.M. (2004). Sociology. Cengage Learning

Stephens, P., & Leach, A. (1998). Think Sociology. Nelson Thornes

Teevan, J.J., & Edward.H.E. (2005). Introduction to Sociology, a Canadian Focus. Pearson Education Canada.

Tischler, H.L. (2010). Introduction to Sociology. Cengage Learning

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