Chapter 2 Interpreting Social Problems: Aging Functionalism Pages 27-34

Do Now Read the story on page 27 Discussion Questions 1. How do we as a society deal with our elderly? 2. Is medication another form of “covering up” our elderly? 3. What does our value system say about the way we treat our elderly?

Sociological Theories and Social Problems A theory explains how two or more concepts, such as age and suicide, are related. A theory gives us a framework for organizing facts and also a way of interpreting those facts. There are three main theories that sociologists use functionalism Conflict theory Symbolic interaction

Sociological Theories Functionalism Conflict Theory Symbolic Interactionism What is sociology? A social system composed of parts that work together to benefit the whole Groups competing with other another within the same social system People’s patterns of behavior; always changing What are the key terms? Structure Function System Equilibrium Goals Competition Conflict Special Interests Power Exploitation Symbols Interaction Communication Meanings Definitions What is a social problem? The failure of some part to fulfill its function, which interferes with the smooth functioning of the system The inevitable outcome of interest groups competing for limited resources Whatever a group decides is a social problem is a social problem for that group How does something become a social problem? Some part of the system fails, usually because of rapid social change Authority and power are used by the powerful to exploit weaker groups One set of definitions becomes accepted; competing views are rejected

Functionalism A major theory that sociologists use to interpret social problems is functionalism. Functionalists compare society to a self-adjusting machine. Each part of the machine has a function. When a part is working properly, it fulfills that function and the machine is successful. Functionalists also compare society to the human body. A human has many organs, and when an organ is working properly, it contributes to the well-being of the person.

Functionalism Like a machine or human, society is also composed of many parts. When the parts of society are working properly and performing their function, it contributes to the well-being (stability or equilibrium)of society. The many parts of society do not always work properly. Functionalists call these failures dysfunctions. This is what a social problem is from the functionalist perspective – the failure of some part of society, which then interferes with society’s smooth functioning

The Development of Functionalism Auguste Comte, the founder of sociology Regarded society as being similar to an animal: Just as an animal has tissues and organs that are interrelated and function together, so does society. For a society to function smoothly, its parts must be in balance.

The Development of Functionalism Emile Durkheim built on the idea that a society is composed of parts that perform functions When society’s parts perform the functions they are supposed to, society is in a “normal” state. When society’s parts fail to perform their functions, society is in an “abnormal” or “pathological” state. Stressed that we need to look at both structure (how the parts of a society are related to one another) and function (how each part contributes to society)

The Development of Functionalism Robert Merton dropped the idea that society is like an animal but refined functionalism’s concepts. Defined functions as the beneficial consequences of people’s actions. Manifest function – an action that is intended to help some part of the system (ex. Social Security is intended to make life better for the elderly) Latent function – a consequence that helps some part of the social system but was not intended for that purpose (ex. Salaries paid to the employees of the Social Security Administration help to stabilize our economy.)

The Development of Functionalism Robert Merton continued… Human actions also have dysfunctions, or consequences that disrupt a system’s stability, making it more difficult to survive. Because the consequences of people’s actions that disrupt a system’s equilibrium usually are unintended, Merton called them latent dysfunctions

What are some manifest and latent functions of high school? Do Now What are some manifest and latent functions of high school?

Applying Functionalism to Social Problems: Aging and Nursing Homes According to functionalism, when the parts of society work well, each contributes to the equilibrium of society. Equilibrium means when society’s parts are balanced. A social problem is a condition in which the parts of society are not working well together. Nursing homes developed in response to social change. Originally, the care of the elderly was a job for women, but as times changed, women started working outside the home and the elderly lost their caretakers. Furthermore, in recent years, life expectancies have increased. Many adult children find that providing care and shelter for their elderly parents strains their relationship. Some find that after they place a parent in a nursing home, the love of the relationship gradually recovers. Few nursing homes are pleasant places. After being admitted to a nursing home, most elderly people decline physically and mentally. The elderly in nursing homes are commonly neglected.

Summary of Functionalism and Social Problems Related Parts of the Social System Action Manifest Function Latent Function Latent Dysfunction Economic (business) Pension and retirement benefits Provide income and leisure time for the aged Jobs for younger workers Displacement of the elderly; loss of self-esteem; loss of purpose Political (government) Social Security payments Stable income for the aged; dignity in old age Employment for 62,000 people by the Social Security Administration Inadequate income; many recipients live on the edge of poverty Medical Technological developments; geriatrics specialties Longer lives for the population A larger proportion of the elderly in the population The Social Security system becomes costly Family Adult children live apart from their parents Independence of both younger and older generations Institutionalized care for the elderly; greater mobility of younger workers Isolation of elderly parents; loneliness and despair