different views of the nature of the state and their social policy it produces. As a result, each perspective tends to take a different view of the role of sociology in relation to social policy. Early positivists such as Comte and Durkheim took the view that sociology was a science and would discover both the cause of social problems and scientifically based solutions to them. As such, their approach was part of the Enlightenment project to use science ad reason to improve society. Functionalists see
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and households. (29 marks) Functionalists believe that society is based on a value consensus into which society socialises its members. This enables them to cooperate harmoniously to meet society’s needs and achieve shared goals. However, other sociologists argue that contemporary society is not harmonious but is ridden with conflicts. Functionalists regard society as a system made up of different sub-systems that depend on each other, such as the family, education, religion, law and the mass media
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problems such as domestic violence worse, as women believe they should 'stand by their man' no matter what the outcome is. These women may blame themselves for being bad wives and see themselves as deserving to be punished. Feminists reject Parsons' view that women were biologically determined and believe they are socially constructed. They blame the media for this construction of women, often portraying them as housewives, cleaners, domestic servants offering comfort and support for men and presenting
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The education system helps children in many ways. It has many functions, preparing children for work and secondary socialisation are just examples of some of the functions. However, different sociologists have different views on what functions the educations system provides, and their different ideas tend to be conflicting. Functionalists would say that a function of the education system is teaching role allocation; this was created by Parsons, and built on by Davis and Moore. Role Allocation is
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and elsewhere assess the Marxist view that the main role of the family is to serve the interests of capitalism. Marxism is a conflict theory which sees all society’s institutions, such as the education system, the media, religion and the state, as helping to main class inequality and capitalism. For Marxists, therefore, the functions of the family are performed solely for the benefit of the capitalist system. This view contrasts sharply with the functionalist view that the family benefits both society
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spiritual health needs. The functionalist approach to health and ill health In the functionalist model, Parsons argued that illness is a form of deviance that disturbs the social function of a society; within the functionalist approach to health it studies the relationship between a sick individual and the society as a whole. Parsons stated that for the society to function efficiently the members of the society must be free from illness and must be of well health. Functionalists argued that stability
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Asses the view that education in modern industrial societies is meritocratic Not all theorists agree that in modern industrial societies education is meritocratic. Although functionalists argue that education is meritocratic and allows person earn what they work for, the Marxists present another argument; that meritocracy is a myth. This essay will show how meritocracy is true to a certain point however it is not always seen. Functionalist argues that modern industrial societies have to perform
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SOCIAL POLICY Social Policy – actions that are taken by the government to maintain and improve the welfare of its citizens . MARXIST – TO CRITICIZE FUNCTIONALIST The Black Report * For example, this report, carried out in 1980 on class inequalities in health made 37 far-reaching policy recommendations for reducing inequalities * These included free school meals for all children, improved working conditions, better benefits for the disabled and more spending on housing * The Labour
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perform by the education system Different theories try to explain the function and role of education in society. Some look at the positive side of education and others the more negative side due to some pupils only being exploited in the education system. Despite all having different views that can be related to, they also all have their advantages and disadvantages meaning some arguments are stronger than others. One group of sociologists, the functionalists, believe that education has four main
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FUNCTIONALIST THEORY A consensus theory. Society has basic needs, including the need for social order. School is fair to all, and helps encourage positive social solidarity, and socialises students effectively. DURKHEIM * Durkheim saw education as the transmission of society’s norms from one generation to the other. This is vital to produce social solidarity. * The school is a miniature society, where students are trained to interact with other students much like they are trained
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