Micah Chrisman
SOC-102
April 24, 2016
Ieisha Jones
Theoretical Perspective Essay Structural functionalism is based on the idea that societies are made up of structures and functions. Structures include things like education, politics, family and economics. Functions are the what are produced by the structures; education provides learning and advancement within a society, politics provide social order, etc. These structures act like parts of a machine, each accomplishing a function to achieve harmony. However, because there are functions, there must also be dysfunctions. Dysfunctions are anything that go against the harmony of a society. The theory can be thought of like a car. Many different parts are needed for a car to function, but a number of things can go wrong before the car stops working. A car must have tires to move. If it gets a flat, it can still run, but it hurts the car and is less efficient. Dysfunctions hurt society, but unless there is a major problem, the society will continue to function. Conflict theory, as the name suggests, is a struggle for power. Karl Marx is the father of this theory. He believed that those in power will constantly oppress everyone else in order to keep their power. This theory explains discrimination within a society. At one point, white males gained power. In order to maintain this power, they oppressed the other races and women. This would allow them to keep power. Marx took this theory to all aspects of life. He saw capitalism as a simple way for the rich to overwork and abuse the poor. He saw religion as a tool of the bourgeoisie to keep the focus off of the abuse. He even opposed the idea of family because the husband had power over the wife and children. Marx saw that throughout all the society changes, the theme of the powerful abusing the weak remained a common theme. Symbolic interactionism does not focus on society as a whole, but rather individual relationships. Symbolic interactionism views society as a collection of relationships, rather than a machine or power struggle. Communication is key in this theory. People can communicate for hours on end with language, each understanding things much deeper that the simple definitions of the words. This theory also explains the differences between humans and animals. Animals may mate, but they cannot love. They live to survive, humans live with a purpose. It is relationships that create love, it is the relationships that form the makings of society. No single theory explains society perfectly. Rather, pieces of each must be included in order to create a better explanation for the workings of a society. However, if one theory must be chosen, then conflict theory gives the best explanation. Conflict theory is the only explanation that truly describes the problems that can be seen in a society. Structural functionalism shows that there are dysfunctions within a society, but never gives an explanation as to why these problems exists. Why should someone commit crime? No reason is given, but conflict theory shows that they are trying to gain power. Symbolic interactionism says that problems are created due to a flaw in a relationship. This does not explain the larger picture. Why would a dictator oppress the poor in their nation? There is no communication between these two groups, there is no relationship formed. Symbolic interactionism better explains personal problems, but cannot help large scale issues. Conflict theory does a much better job of describing the problems in society, but does not explain the positives. Structural functionalism shows how a society is meant to run. Each group has a function that they are designated, when there are no dysfunctions, society runs well. This gives a large picture view. Symbolic interactionism has the same problem that it has with the problems in society. It explains the positives within personal relationships, but does not explain common good that can be seen within a society. Since none of the theories explain societies perfectly, a different approach must be taken. Society must be viewed from a Christian perspective using sin nature and common grace. Conflict theory focuses on the abuse of power, rather if the problems are attributed to the problem of sin, then the abuse of power is still accounted for, but individual problems can be understood also. The biggest problem with conflict theory is the fact that it does not give reason to the good things in society. Common grace gives an outlet for this. By recognizing that God gives blessing to everyone, these good things can understood. Sin causes dysfunctions in society, common grace gives an explanation for why society continues to function despite the effects of sin. The 2015 Kohler strike is an example of where conflict theory can be seen. Wages had gone up insignificantly for workers despite inflation and living costs. Their health benefits were substandard (Kohler Employees…, 2015). Marx would describe this as a typical example of the bourgeoisie preying on the proletariat class. Kohler is making plenty of money and yet the workers are not receiving sufficient salaries. The executives threatened to move the company to Mexico where costs would be cheaper and productivity higher. Conflict theory views this as an attempt to scare the workers into allowing Kohler to retain the power it desires. Over a month of arguing later, the union and the company came to a compromise. There is no dysfunction in this scenario, rather a large variety of people are in this problem. This is not a conflict over personal relations, as very few of the employees actually know the CEO making the decisions. Both of these alternate theories do not match the situation. This struggle, however, shows conflict theory. The rich and the poor are in a constant battle for power and influence.

References
Kohler employees return to work following strike. (2015, December 17). from
http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Kohler-makes-final-contract-offer-to-Wisconsin-workers-349243101.html