Question

Consider the major sociological perspectives (Structural Functionalism, Critical Theory, Feminism, Symbolic Interactionism). Bringing this theory to practice -- how would you understand the COVID-19 pandemic using two of the four major sociological perspectives?

Answer 1

Conflict perspective suggests that the society is in a perpetual conflict for the limited resources available where social order is maintained not through consensus but through domination. This would mean that the society is dominated by the majority and the powerful even in times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. People who have the money and the resources and those who belong to the majority are able to get through the housing and healthcare while the poor and the minorities struggle hard to survive the lockdown and the virus in terms of getting supplies for their families and get enough medical facilities if affected. However, structural functionalism suggests that the society is a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This would mean it treats all the institutions and differences as necessary and important for the smooth functioning of the society without branding anything as discriminative or dominant. All those who are working for the betterment of the society and all those who live in the society are very important for the welfare of the country.

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