Question

Explain the functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist perspectives about the family institution. What are some of the similarities? Which perspective do you identify with and why? Does this perspective best explain the family institution overall? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

The functionalist perspective that the family helps individuals integrate into the society by teaching new members important aspects of the culture. the family also provide the new members with ascribed statuses that form a critical aspect of their identity. The family sustains the society by reproducing new members in order to replace its dying members. Furthermore, families offer material and emotional security and provide care so as to increase the longevity of individuals.

From the conflict theory perspective, the role of the family is to maintain and reinforce the status quo which ultimately perpetuates existing social inequality. This is mostly achieved through ascribed statuses, inheritance, education and social capital which are transmitted through the family structure. Through this mechanism, wealthy individuals ensure that their families remain privileged across time, while individuals from poor families are denied these opportunities. Several conflict theorists also hold that the family, as a social institution, works to subjugate women as most societies allow men to enjoy greater power.

Symbolic interaction theorists focus on shared meanings attached to the family, as a social institution. They posit that activities that family members engage in together, help them to build and strengthen emotional bonds. Furthermore, the nature of the relationships among family members is developed through negotiated meanings. The symbolic interactionist perspective, therefore, emphasizes that families reinforce and rejuvenate bonds through mechanism rituals such as family meals and holidays.

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