How would the concept of marriage be explained using the structural functionalist perspective?

There are many functions that hold together a marriage, but Structural-Functionalists study marriage from a macro or broad perspective. By studying the benefits that men and women receive from marriage, they are actually comparing men and women. They can then see the major conflicts this causes in a marriage.

What is the functionalist perspective on family?

Functionalists see the family as a particularly important institution as they see it as the ‘basic building block’ of society which performs the crucial functions of socialising the young and meeting the emotional needs of its members. Stable families underpin social order and economic stability.

What would be a conflict perspective be on the need to get married?

Conflict theorists find disputes over the division of household labor to be a common source of marital discord. In general, conflict theorists tend to study areas of marriage and life that involve inequalities or discrepancies in power and authority, as they are reflective of the larger social structure.

What is the functionalism perspective?

The functionalist perspective sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation and broadly focuses on the social structures that shape society as a whole.

What is the functionalist view on same-sex marriage?

Functionalist believe that this is the optimal way for society to function to achieve their goals. Same-sex marriages are looked at by naysayers as not the main goal of the marital institution, they would actually make it harder for society to complete its goal of having children.

What is functionalist perspective thought on social problems?

Understanding Functionalist Theory Theory Overview. Functionalism posits that society is more than the sum of its parts; rather, each aspect of it works for the stability of the whole. Functionalist Perspective in American Sociology. The functionalist perspective achieved its greatest popularity among American sociologists in the 1940s and ’50s. Critiques of the Theory.

What are the sociological perspectives on marriage?

Many cultures have marriage, though its definition varies. Like all institutions, the three sociological perspectives can help us understand marriage and its role in society. Functionalism describes the functions of marriage, which include socialization of children, economic production, and sexual control.

What is the conflict perspective on marriage?

The conflict perspective focuses on the inequalities within the institution of the family and marriage, particularly as they relate to the subservience of women. From the conflict perspective, the struggle over who does housework, for example, is a struggle over limited resources of time, energy, and leisure.