This exercise of power often entails the performance of family status roles. The Functionalist perspective on the family is usually the very first topic taught within the the families and households module. Although they are strongly committed to one another, they never actually go ahead with the marriage. When family members move outside of these roles, the family is thrown out of balance and must recalibrate in order to function properly. http://cnx.org/contents/02040312-72c8-441e-a685-20e9333f3e1d/Introduction_to_Sociology_2e. Provide at least one example for each. Marriage serves important social functions, and social norms often determine the role each spouse takes in a marriage. Structural functionalism, or in many contexts simply functionalism, is a broad perspective in sociology and anthropology which sets out to interpret society as a structure with interrelated parts. Full Text. Husbands and wives have sexual access to each other, and in all societies, there are norms concerning sexual activity outside marriage. Sociologists may use a variety of theoretical perspectives to explain events that occur within and outside of the family. Same-sex Marriage Inequality based on sexual orientation is a common social problem people encounter every day of our lives. Once children are produced, the family plays a vital role in training them for adult life. Functionalist Theory Same Sex Marriage 1193 Words | 5 Pages. The first study of marital power was performed in 1960. Another criticism would be that Functionalists do not consider the validity of other family structures such as the Nayar or the Kibbutz who can also perform the four functions. They also note that family members take on status roles in a marriage or family. There is greater family and household diversity as a result. The functionalist view would support traditional and historical family norms to reduce the divorce rate. Interactionists view the world in terms of symbols and the meanings assigned to them (LaRossa and Reitzes 1993). Conflict theorists find disputes over the division of household labor to be a common source of marital discord. The conflict theorists believe that conflict is bound to happen in a marriage because of all the things in our lives that we share with our partners and the source of that conflict is power. Traditional Failures: Fundamentalist View Of Marriage Still Out Of Touch. Functionalism is all about promoting communication, cohesiveness and uniformity. This is very important because it lets people view issues not on a personal level but how they affect the society as a whole. Much has been decried of, in social conservative circles, about the dangers facing society due to agents ranging from "atheists" to "the homosexual agenda." Introduction. The sociological perspective called symbolic interactionism focuses on symbols that affect people's interactions. Men tend to assume the instrumental roles in the family, which typically involve work outside of the family that provides financial support and establishes family status. In sociology, many perspectives are used to understand human society. It has its origins in the works of Emile Durkheim, who was especially interested in how social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable. the law. Marriage is an important part of society. The individuals involved in marriage were given a socially sanctioned way to fulfill their emotional and physical needs. Conflict theorists may study conflicts as simple as the enforcement of rules from parent to child, or they may examine more serious issues such as domestic violence (spousal and child), sexual assault, marital rape, and incest. This solution helps discuss the concept of marriage from both a functionalist perspective and a conflict perspective. The functionalist perspective The functionalist perspective is concerned with the functionality of healthcare and health within society and will help you to appreciate the greater social significance of your role as healthcare professionals. Interactionists view the family as a group of role players or “actors” that come together to act out their parts in an effort to construct a family. The idea that marriage is a necessary tradition or a sacred duty have declined drastically, marriage is now seen as a choice. family: A group of people related by blood, marriage, law or custom. He does not deny the existence or impact of premarital or extramarital sex, but states that the family offers a socially legitimate sexual outlet for adults (Lee 1985). ... To do this, an observer needs to be unbiased and be able to view the society as an outsider. - a plan is included on the slide. 10 mark exam question practice focusing on what has been learnt during the lesson. This function may change based on the era in history, it may also change based on what point in the relationship a couple may currently be, and it may also change based on the specific culture that is being discussed. For example, if the father assumes an expressive role such as providing daytime care for the children, the mother must take on an instrumental role such as gaining paid employment outside of the home in order for the family to maintain balance and function. Functionalist Perscpective of Gay Marriage. For the past two years, they have been living together in a condo they purchased jointly. A new poll shows that support for marriage equality is at an all-time high: It’s at 59 percent, in fact. 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