Difference between the Functionalist and Conflict Perspective.
Explain the difference between the Functionalist and Conflict Perspective.
Could you analyze Foucault’s concept of State Power through the concept of the Panopticon?
How would you apply the concept of Foucault’s Panopticon to Carmen’s early phase of life in the USA? (Carmen is the mother in the Daughter of the Maid by Mary Romero).
Please use the theories of Boundary Formation and Cultural Capital to analyze the network relations of Olivia (the daughter in our text) with the family of her mother’s employers. Please provide examples drawn from the text.
Please use the text: Daughter of the Maid by Mary Romero to write this essay.
Feel free to use the class outline provided to write the essay.
Sample Solution
The Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives are two of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology. The Functionalist Perspective, also known as Structural-Functionalism, is a perspective which emphasizes the ways in which society’s parts work together to create stability and balance for its members (Brym & Lie, 2017). This approach views the world from a macro level by looking at how it operates as a whole system. According to this view, all parts of society contribute positively to its functioning and maintenance (Brym & Lie, 2017). By recognizing that each component works towards achieving social order it follows then that any disruption or instability within one part will have consequences throughout the entire system – potentially leading ultimately to chaos if left unchecked.
In contrast, however, lies the Conflict Perspective – another leading sociological theory which strives to explain societal issues through recognizing collective forces rather than individual ones. Unlike functionalism this view emphasizes competition between different groups over resources such as power or wealth while simultaneously highlighting economic inequalities present within our societies(Crenshaw et al., 2019). Furthermore this perspective sees institutionally supported systems such as gender roles being forced upon individuals with no real attempt at creating equality among them – placing emphasis instead on keeping those in control happy and making sure those underneath comply with their wishes (Crenshaw et al., 2019). As such one can argue that conflict theory serves an invaluable role in identifying potential points of tension existing within a given system – allowing us then to eventually rectify these discrepancies.
To conclude, both functionalist and conflict perspectives offer essential insights when attempting understand why certain phenomena exist within society today – whether they be positive or negative. While both may disagree on exactly how things should operate neither are necessarily right or wrong per se but rather provide alternative routes by which we can explore further into why things occur presenting deeper understanding of our lives.