Sociology

The family is one of the most important components of society. According to Schaefer (2009), the family is A set of people related by blood, marriage, or some other agreed-on relationship, or adoption, who share the primary responsibility for reproduction and caring for members of society. There are different kinds of families, such as the nuclear family or the extended family, and there are also different cultural factors on how it is viewed upon. This paper would focus on the impact of the three different sociological theories (functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism) to the family. As stated by Schaefer (2009)  a theory is a set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or behaviour. An effective theory may have both explanatory and predictive power. This paper would then try to understand and get a meaningful explanation on the family as an essential part of society, and look at how the three different theories appropriate family as an important social institution.  

The three main sociological theories, functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism view and interpret society in different ways (Schaefer, 2009). Basically, society is seen as stable and well integrated by functionalism, is characterized by tension and struggle according to conflict theory, and is viewed by interactionism as active in influencing and effecting everyday social interaction (Schaefer, 2009). Naturally, these three different theories look at the family in three different ways.

Functionalism generally view society as a living organism, wherein each corresponding parts of society acts as like a part of an organism, basically having a function to contribute to the organisms survival (Schaefer, 2009). This is also the way on how functionalism views the family. In this case, functionalism actually focuses on the social functions of the family. According to sociologist William F. Ogburn, the family has six different paramount functions (as cited in Schaefer, 2009). This includes the following reproduction, protection, socialization, regulation of sexual behaviour, affection and companionship, and the provision of social status. Reproduction is one of the most vital functions of society it serves as a tool to maintain itself for self preservation (Schaefer, 2009). Of course, it is the family who actually does the part of reproduction (Schaefer, 2009), given that society also has its share of dying members. Protection is characterized by care and security, and it is the family which assumes the responsibility to provide care and protection to its members, especially to infant ones, and is present in almost all cultures (Schaefer, 2009). Also, the family acts as a vehicle of socialization to society, especially through how parents actually transmit different norms, values and languages to their children (Schaefer, 2009). It is true that sexual norms are constantly changing just as societies are, and is actually subject to different cultural differences (Schaefer, 2009). In this case, however, it is still within the circle of the family where standards of sexual behaviour are defined and regulated (Schaefer, 2009). In addition, it is also within the family where intimate and warm relationships are enjoyed (Schaefer, 2009), given the natural bonds that exists within brothers and sisters, parents and children. Whenever a person feels intimidated, in most cases, it is still in the family where people get security and satisfaction (Schaefer, 2009). It is also in the family where people actually inherit their social position naturally, a newborn childs status, especially when based on race and ethnicity is determined by the family, as well as the economic opportunities available depending on the familys resources (Schaefer, 2009). Ogburn also argues that the family has actually contributed t other functions of society, such as education and religious training however, there are already different social institutions that takes the place of the family in providing such (as cited in Schaefer, 2009).

Meanwhile, conflict theory generally views society as a world involved in continual struggle, wherein the theory actually assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups (Schaefer, 2009). In this case, the conflict theory actually sees the family as one institution where inequality and power is in fact actually reflected (Schaefer, 2009). But how is this manifested in the family, given that some theories view the family as a venue for intimate relationships and affection According to the conflict theory, most especially the feminists, the family has actually legitimized and perpetuated dominance (Schaefer, 2009). This is manifested in the overwhelming power of the male authority over the family, which has developed through history and which has been present in a large number of societies even with different cultural orientations (Schaefer, 2009). In addition, conflict theory also views the family as one economic unit that contributes to social injustice (Schaefer, 2009). This includes the transfer of power, property and privilege from one generation to the next (Schaefer, 2009). Of course, rich children inherit more economic resources and privilege as compared to poor children.

Also, interactionism focuses in the everyday forms of social interaction in able to explain society as a whole (Schaefer, 2009). In this case, the interactionist view on the family actually includes the intimate relationships present within family members, as analyzed in the micro level (Schaefer, 2009).

Both the functionalist and the conflict theories actually study the family on a macro level, with them seeing this social institution essential in transmitting social status (Schaefer, 2009). Also, functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism theories all look at the roles of the family in their respective members socialization, although in different interpretations.

However, there are also astounding differences. Functionalism basically regards the family as one unit where essential functions essential to the preservation of society are done meanwhile, conflict theory generally views the family as one way wherein economic exploitation are preserved, social class is passed through, and power relations are maintained (Schaefer, 2009). On the contrary, functionalism views the family as one unit where the family experiences intimate interactions with one another, but still acknowledging the conflict that may arise from within.

According to the functionalist theory, members of the family actually take part in different essential functions that are necessary to the societys survival, just like the components of an organism (Schaefer, 2009). This includes individuals of the family functioning for care and protection of its members, along with reproduction (Schaefer, 2009). Meanwhile, the conflict theory actually stresses the role of the family in shaping its individual members through coercion, authority and power relations, citing the dominant role of males, the role of the family in economic exploitation, and the role of the family in passing on property, power and privilege to the next generation of its members (Schaefer, 2009). Interactionism, however, looks at how its individual members socialize according to everyday interaction, noting the role of father to son and stepparents to stepchildren relationships in behavior and conflicts (Schaefer, 2009).

Given that the functionalist view of the family, wherein it emphasizes the social functions that families take up, this surely results to the reinforcing and predictable role of the family in social change (Schaefer, 2009). For instance, whenever changes in society occurs, such as new standards in sexuality or new trends in social stratification, then it may be pointed out to the corresponding functions if sexuality and social class in the family, especially on how it is practiced and passed through the next generation.

On the contrary, the view of conflict theory that the family actually serves as a reflection of inequality and power (Schaefer, 2009), its view on social change would then be constant, and is in fact needed, because it may bring positive consequences such as the balancing of power, the removal of social injustice, or a more economically equitable society. Take note that according to conflict theory, it is actually in the family where social class, male dominance, and power are actually passed through and inherited by the next generation (Schafer, 2009), wherein social change may include the removal of such privileges within the family, and even the restructuring of the family, given that the family plays a vital role in the formation of inequality in society (Schaefer, 2009).

Meanwhile, given that interactionism actually focuses on the role of everyday interaction within members of the family to their socialization, social change may then be reflected on the social positions within the family, as well as the communicative experience involve (Schaefer, 2009). For instance, interactionism actually studies the role of parents to their children as an explanation in the behavioral problems of children present in society, as well as the presence of single parents remarrying and its role in the heightened interest in raising other parents children (Schaefer, 2009).

Functionalism, in its view of the family, actually helps reinforce a view of society that is similar to an organism (Schaefer, 2009) wherein all of its parts assume different functions for this organism to survive. In this case, the family acts as one important institution that assumes functions to help in the stability and survival of the society. However, I personally think that this is not a comprehensive view of society, for this theory fails to explain crucial issues of power, social inequality and exploitation, and only views this as essential to societys stability. Meanwhile, the conflict theorys view of society actually reinforces the fact that society is made up of conflicting groups and power relationships, and even highlights the role of families in preserving the status of each contending social classes as well as the continued acceptance of symbols of authority and power (such as male dominance within families) (Schaefer, 2009). In addition, this theory also expounds the fact that the family plays a crucial role in the propagation of unique socialization patterns of each conflicting group it is the family that reinforces the continued inheritance of property and power (Schaefer, 2009), as well as the life style and behavior of conflicting social classes.

Interactionism, in its part, propagates the view that society, especially in its patterns of behavior (Schaefer, 2009) is mostly determined by interaction, especially within family members interaction to one another.