Sociology

Structural-functional paradigm is a sociological paradigm which views the society as a dynamic system made up of different entities working together. On a narrower perspective, structural paradigm focuses on the stability pattern of social behaviors and the structures that shape our lives such as the family, job market or learning areas. Functional paradigm analyses how the society functions and the consequences of the decisions that they make.  Structural-functional paradigm emerged as a result of the failure of utilitarian philosophy which looked at people as highly rational, shrewd entrepreneurs in an independent and liberalized marketplace. Gender-role inequality has been witnessed in many regions whereby women with similar education and work experience earn relatively lower salary than their male counterparts (Gladwell, 2001).
           
American culture in the past viewed a woman as a submissive domestic worker whose role was to take care of household duties like cooking, laundry and raising children. The man was required to look for employment and bring money that was used to feed the family. Since the society associates money with power, the breadwinner automatically became the final decision maker at home. In the past decade, the role of women in the labor force has been closely analyzed in social sciences. Their increased entry into paid labor has not led to any meaningful changes in sharing of household and family duties with their male counterparts. Despite the fact that males contribution in household chores has increased dramatically, it has not adequately compensated the participation of women in the job market (Gladwell, 2001).