Explain the three major sociological perspectives of functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Identify which perspectives use a macrolevel or a microlevel of analysis. Apply each perspective to either the family or education.

 

Sociological views on the contemporary families and their challenges overall fall into the symbolic interactionism, conflict theory, and functionalism. Functionalism maintains that families perform different critical functions for society. These functions include providing its members with a social identity, regulating sexual reproduction and sexual identity, as well as the provision of practical and emotional support for it members. On a family context, this perspective can aid in identification of family problems formulating of interventions against them. Normally, family problems stem from far-reaching or sudden changes in the structure and processes of the family.

The conflict theory maintains that family contribute to social inequality by strengthening patriarchy and economic inequality. It suggests that family problems emerge from patriarchal ideology and economic inequality. The family itself can also be a source of conflict, including emotional cruelty and physical violence for its members. the conflict theory has a micro level of analysis. The symbolic interactionism suggests that the interaction of intimate couples and family members involves common understanding of their circumstances. It maintains that husbands and wives have different communication styles and social class influences the expectations of partners on their marriages. This perspective can be used solve family problems by controlling different expectations and understandings.