Part A4 In Durkheim’s book, On Suicide, he indirectly uses his theories of mechanical and organic solidarity, the division of labour and the evolution of the family in many of his arguments. However, these theories are the foundation of his study of suicide and therefore, one cannot properly analyze his study of suicide without have some knowledge regarding his main theories. This essay will outline the role of his earlier theories in Durkheim’s arguments in On Suicide.
Mechanical solidarity can be characterized as members of a particular society that are very similar to one another. They consist of smaller, more rural populations that were homogeneous. Families are grouped together forming small societies or are referred to as ‘clans’ (Durkheim 1933:177). A person’s …show more content…
In Durkheim’s The Conjugal Family, he describes an earlier type of family that exists based on patriarchy and kinship that occurred in mechanical societies. Fathers are the dominant figure and the children are under their father’s command until they break these ties through marriage and starta family of their own. However, there has been a shift in the organization of the family to a ‘modern family’ where all members have more distinct individualism and control of their own lives (Durkheim 1978). Even children can exercise more individualism and have more control of their futures. The state also becomes more involved in the families lives than in previous societies. For example, the state can intervene if there is a parentless child and puts them under the state’s protection (1978). This shift of the family is also the result of the division of labour and the progression of mechanical to organic societies where people have more independence. However, with this shift in societies, it can cause tensions in the family due to the lack of adjustment from societal changes in the
Mechanical solidarity can be characterized as members of a particular society that are very similar to one another. They consist of smaller, more rural populations that were homogeneous. Families are grouped together forming small societies or are referred to as ‘clans’ (Durkheim 1933:177). A person’s …show more content…
In Durkheim’s The Conjugal Family, he describes an earlier type of family that exists based on patriarchy and kinship that occurred in mechanical societies. Fathers are the dominant figure and the children are under their father’s command until they break these ties through marriage and starta family of their own. However, there has been a shift in the organization of the family to a ‘modern family’ where all members have more distinct individualism and control of their own lives (Durkheim 1978). Even children can exercise more individualism and have more control of their futures. The state also becomes more involved in the families lives than in previous societies. For example, the state can intervene if there is a parentless child and puts them under the state’s protection (1978). This shift of the family is also the result of the division of labour and the progression of mechanical to organic societies where people have more independence. However, with this shift in societies, it can cause tensions in the family due to the lack of adjustment from societal changes in the