Taylor Ohlrich
13 November 2016
Sociology 101-225
Examining Family Through
Sociological Perspectives
Theoretical Perspectives on Marriage and Family
In sociology, there are three main theoretical perspectives: the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionist perspective. Each perspective perceives issues and topic differently. One topic that the perspectives perceive differently is family and marriage.
The first perspective is functionalism. Functionalism is the view that society is made up of several parts, each part having a different function. When each part of parts fulfill their function, society as a whole is in a state of equilibrium. Therefore, in functionalism, it is believed that if each person in a family fulfills their function or duty, the family …show more content…
Symbolic interactionism is the perspective in which society appears to be made up of different symbols that establish meaning. For example, in a family, there is typically a mother, a father, and children. A mother, a father, and children are all different symbols who have different roles, that if fulfilled, gives meaning to society. Although times have changed, a mother was once viewed as the person who completes all of the household duties and takes care of the children. A father was typically viewed as the who would hold a job and earn money for the family. These symbols and roles are what shaped society. In sum, there are three different theoretical perspectives in sociology that perceive marriage and family differently. In functionalism, each person in a family needs to fulfill their function or role for the family to be balanced. The conflict perspective views that conflict is inevitable amongst a marriage and a family. While a symbolic interactionist would believe that a family is made up of different symbols that establish the meaning of that
13 November 2016
Sociology 101-225
Examining Family Through
Sociological Perspectives
Theoretical Perspectives on Marriage and Family
In sociology, there are three main theoretical perspectives: the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionist perspective. Each perspective perceives issues and topic differently. One topic that the perspectives perceive differently is family and marriage.
The first perspective is functionalism. Functionalism is the view that society is made up of several parts, each part having a different function. When each part of parts fulfill their function, society as a whole is in a state of equilibrium. Therefore, in functionalism, it is believed that if each person in a family fulfills their function or duty, the family …show more content…
Symbolic interactionism is the perspective in which society appears to be made up of different symbols that establish meaning. For example, in a family, there is typically a mother, a father, and children. A mother, a father, and children are all different symbols who have different roles, that if fulfilled, gives meaning to society. Although times have changed, a mother was once viewed as the person who completes all of the household duties and takes care of the children. A father was typically viewed as the who would hold a job and earn money for the family. These symbols and roles are what shaped society. In sum, there are three different theoretical perspectives in sociology that perceive marriage and family differently. In functionalism, each person in a family needs to fulfill their function or role for the family to be balanced. The conflict perspective views that conflict is inevitable amongst a marriage and a family. While a symbolic interactionist would believe that a family is made up of different symbols that establish the meaning of that