Structural functionalism, theorizes that as a whole society regulates the functions of its members based solely on the needs of the organization. This can be related to many different types of environments for instance, sports. Sports teams such football are set up around the needs of the team, different positions are required throughout the structure of the game play for proper function; quarterbacks are needed to lead the team and plan the movement of the ball in forward progression, linemen for the defense of the quarterback, receivers and running backs to move the ball down field. In the 1950’s, our society was established around traditional roles of women raising a family, maintaining the household and supporting more domestic necessities
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This interaction then creates the society we have around those definitions, instead of filling roles based on a need for the role to be filled we instead fill the roles that we have chosen and others have bestowed upon us. A person can create their own role for themselves by making conscience decisions in relation to their own persona. The Alpha male role in symbolic interactionism theory is created by attaining physical superiority, pursuing careers that are in dominate by nature, dressing in a manner that exudes confidence and driving a flashy vehicle. On the opposite end of the spectrum a man can seek employment that is seen as mundane, choose to keep a physical appearance that is not considered strong or athletic and live a somewhat ambiguous life in general. Whatever direction is taken, we will fill that defined role and begin living according to what is expected of the Alpha or Beta masculine …show more content…
It explains the who, what and why of human action by simply stating it is that way because it is necessary to be that way for society to function properly. If this was true, then we would be stuck in the defining roles that have been developed. But this isn’t the case, we are constantly evolving, learning and developing new roles at a cyclic rate. Human beings are able to employ symbolic interactionism, we are able to develop our own persona based off of our environment, upbringing and life events to include both tragedy and triumph. We are not locked into lifestyles that society has placed within the gender roles; men are becoming stay at home fathers, nurses, dental assistant/hygienist and teachers. While women are moving into traditionally male dominated fields such as combat roles in the military, law enforcement, high level executives, pilots and manual labor jobs. This in and of itself places a large hole in the structural functionalism theory, society may not be at the point and place that the large majority would like to see it at today in respects to equality, but it is certainly evolving and changing from the micro level. This shows that society can be shaped and effected from smallest levels up to the largest levels, giving symbolic interactionism a strong argument for the micro vs the
This interaction then creates the society we have around those definitions, instead of filling roles based on a need for the role to be filled we instead fill the roles that we have chosen and others have bestowed upon us. A person can create their own role for themselves by making conscience decisions in relation to their own persona. The Alpha male role in symbolic interactionism theory is created by attaining physical superiority, pursuing careers that are in dominate by nature, dressing in a manner that exudes confidence and driving a flashy vehicle. On the opposite end of the spectrum a man can seek employment that is seen as mundane, choose to keep a physical appearance that is not considered strong or athletic and live a somewhat ambiguous life in general. Whatever direction is taken, we will fill that defined role and begin living according to what is expected of the Alpha or Beta masculine …show more content…
It explains the who, what and why of human action by simply stating it is that way because it is necessary to be that way for society to function properly. If this was true, then we would be stuck in the defining roles that have been developed. But this isn’t the case, we are constantly evolving, learning and developing new roles at a cyclic rate. Human beings are able to employ symbolic interactionism, we are able to develop our own persona based off of our environment, upbringing and life events to include both tragedy and triumph. We are not locked into lifestyles that society has placed within the gender roles; men are becoming stay at home fathers, nurses, dental assistant/hygienist and teachers. While women are moving into traditionally male dominated fields such as combat roles in the military, law enforcement, high level executives, pilots and manual labor jobs. This in and of itself places a large hole in the structural functionalism theory, society may not be at the point and place that the large majority would like to see it at today in respects to equality, but it is certainly evolving and changing from the micro level. This shows that society can be shaped and effected from smallest levels up to the largest levels, giving symbolic interactionism a strong argument for the micro vs the