functionalist theory of social inequality Flashcards
the organic analogy
Parson-institutions work together like organs in a human body to ensure stability by transmitting value consensus
1.parsons class inequality
social inequality is inevitable and necessary:
ranking is required based on value consensus of who deserves the highest rewards:
the values are:
Kinship
Achievement
Possessions
Personal qualities
Authority
2.durkheim class inequality
class inequalities create social order:
class stratification is functional to maintain order as it sets limits on aspirations. Division of labour where people have diff jobs is characterised by social divisions. value consensus means people are content in these positions based on its moral worth
- davis and moore social class
social class inequalities are functional for society:
most important jobs should receive better rewards- this is meritocratic
social stratification is functionally necessary and does:
1. allocation of roles
2. ensuring people perform high roles to high standards
we can tell what positions are important by 2 factors:
1. functional uniqueness
2. the degree of dependence of others
4.durkheimian social class
social class inequalities are a reflection of anomic conditions:
this happens when class based inequalities tilt into instability. in times of social and economic change, members may become morally confused and lose a sense of aspiration and morality- experiencing anomie
- murdock gender inequality
gender inequalities are the result of biological differences:
social roles of men and women stem from biological differences. women are located in the home because of childbearer role. men are breadwinner due to natural physical strength. this gendered division of labour in nuclear families is essential to functional society
- parsons gender inequality
gender inequality is the result of socialised roles which are necessary for society:
females have expressive role and male has instrumental suggesting men are suited to paid employment and women to domesticity. women are less suited to labour market so unsurprising that they are paid less
- parson and bales gender inequality
women’s expressive role crucial for primary socialisation and personality stabilisation:
women provide personality stabilisation which is crucial for men to be productive. this means women are not present in sectors of social life which lead to wealth, power and authority
- rastogi gender inequality
gender inequalities in work are inevitable:
women earn less later in life as they find it harder to reach senior positions.
this is because they lack human capital due to being less committed to their jobs than men, meaning they are less valued and self fulfilling prophecy
- pattersons ethnic inequality
ethnic inequalities are temporary and the result of minorities failing to assimilate:
britains stability was undermined by the arrival of immigrants. they were not racist but frightened by new cultures. 3 causes of ethnic inequality:
1. fear of cultural differences
2. cultural resentment of competing for resources
3. failure of immigrants to assimilate
2.parsons and clarke ethnic inequality
successful assimilation has resulted in excellent outcomes for minorities
integration leads to equality of rights of minorities assimilated to be successful.
- robert’s ethnic inequality
ethnic inequalities are the byproduct of cultural factors:
disparities between minority groups are due to cultural and historical factors rather than racism. afro caribbean community are likely to fall into worse outcomes due to experiences of slavery.
- modood et al ethnic inequalities
it’s normal for ethnic minorities to be at the bottom of the economic ladder:
ethnic minorities are largely migrants, leaving less economically countries so more likely to go into low status and paid jobs due to low skills and values. many minority groups don’t speak english, resulting in their lack of high status occupations, rather than discrimination
- parsons age inequality
age inequality has to occur to allow young generations to take control of the family:
old people disengage from central role in family to allow their children to raise their own families, serving intervention in society for social stability
- cumming and henry age inequality
Age inequality for elderly has to occur to allow young generations to be productive at work:
social disengagement allows young people to take their place in the labour market. the dependency ratio needs there to be more working class population for a stable economy
