functionalist theory of social inequality

Question 1

the organic analogy

Answer 1

Parson-institutions work together like organs in a human body to ensure stability by transmitting value consensus

Question 2

1.parsons class inequality

Answer 2

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

Question 3

2.durkheim class inequality

Answer 3

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

Question 4

3. davis and moore social class

Answer 4

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

Question 5

4.durkheimian social class

Answer 5

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

Question 6

1. murdock gender inequality

Answer 6

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

Question 7

1. murdock gender inequality

Answer 7

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

Question 8

2. parsons gender inequality

Answer 8

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

Question 9

3. parson and bales gender inequality

Answer 9

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

Question 10

4. rastogi gender inequality

Answer 10

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

Question 11

1. pattersons ethnic inequality

Answer 11

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

Question 12

2.parsons and clarke ethnic inequality

Answer 12

successful assimilation has resulted in excellent outcomes for minorities
integration leads to equality of rights of minorities assimilated to be successful.

Question 13

3. robert’s ethnic inequality

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

4. modood et al ethnic inequalities

Answer 14

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

Question 15

1. parsons age inequality

Answer 15

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

Question 16

2. cumming and henry age inequality

Answer 16

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

Question 17

3. eisenstadt age inequality

Answer 17

age inequality for youth has to occur to allow them to cope with challenges of adult life:
adolescence where youths experience inequality is a stage to develop independance. youth subculture provides a binding community for frustrations during this period

Question 18

4. durkheim concept age inequality

Answer 18

age inequalities are the result of anomie:
suicide is a leading cause of death in youths. anomic suicide- people being in a constant state of disappointment due to constant new expectations. people remove themselves from society due to not knowing what their role in society is supposed to be