Assess the functionalist explanations of social inequality Essay

Asses the Functionalist explanations of Social divergence. (40) Social Inequality refers to any difference amid groups or individuals in society which results in one having inferior life chances than the other. Functionalists believe these inequalities argon the result of the meritocracy we persist in. This is a system based on the idea that social social stratification is necessary and desirable for the society. Functionalists argue that inequalities aim a purpose they atomic figure of speech 18 functional for society. Functionalism is a structural theory based on the picture that society is based on sh ard values. This consensus means that society impart be in a state of equilibrium and thither is harmony, as a result of which there leave alone be social solidarity. Inequalities, functionalists argue, hold out in all societies and are inevitable and necessary. Durkheim argued that industrial societies are complex. in spite of appearance these complex societies social inequality and social difference were an inevitable and eventful part of maintaining social order and preventing a state of anomie or chaos. He believed that society needs specialists to undertake the various jobs and roles required to gain ground it run smoothly. This harmony could be achieved by a division of tote whereby throng have different jobs based on their talents. Some of the jobs would have higher location than others and greater rewards and power, for example jobs such as lawyers, doctors and barristers. mess would accept this as long as they could contain that the system was fair. contrast arena power occur but it could be controlled by socialisation. Socialisation was the extremity whereby shared values could be passed from one generation to the next. Disharmony might arise when community felt the system was not fair, for example, when large bonuses are paid to bankers during a recession. Parsons developed on Durkheims ideas and stated that in industrialise d societys stratification, and therefore inequality, exists on the basis of which roles are agreed to be the most primal, and therefore the most functional for society.The system occurs because throng are socialised into the shared norms and values of society, initially by the family, and subsequently by didactics and other agents of socialisation. The value consensus that results is what holds society together and it books it social order. Sharing a common identity gives people a sense of purpose and a commitment to the maintenance of society. These values as fountainhead as give people common goals such as to work hard. good deal have a number of roles that women are most naturally accommodate for andthe instrumental roles of men. These roles are ascribed rather than achieved. Two other functionalists, Davis and Moore, have construct on the ideas of Parsons and Durkhiem. They argue that society needs the most talented people to perform the most skilled jobs and therefore has to pay them accordingly and give them high status. There is a meritocracy and the most able leave alone, through the testing system, be allocated to the most important jobs. Their straighten out position will glint this role allocation. There is an expectation that the most talented will be prepared to make sacrifices early on to be educated and trained, and for this they will be rewarded later.The examination system will sift and sort people into appropriate jobs. This means that the system is legitimated. The stratification that results will ensure those at the top work to maintain their position and those lower down establish to better themselves. However people do not all swallow from the same point, therefore a true meritocracy is not possible. Society is not harmonious. Functionalists present an over rosy picture of social inequality creation a positive force for the society. There is evidence of conflict between social groups in the form of strike as well as disaf fection amongst, for e.g. young people who cannot get work. Differences between men and women are socially constructed. Their identity is formed by the expectations the society holds against their gender, therefore they will behave the way the society expects them to. There is not a consensus with study to which are the most important jobs for e.g. bankers are paid very well but most people would plausibly argue that nurses are to a greater extent important to society.Some groups start with more power and status and are therefore are able to ensure they and their children get access to the education that will mean they then get a higher status jobs. Life chances are affected by status and wealth and the poor have less access to opportunity to gain access and wealth. Tumin argued that leaving to universities is not really a sacrifice, although many people in the UK would probably argue it will be as fees go up. The work of the functionalists is not supported by empirical evidence , particularly with regard to the idea that there is a value consensus. Marxism is based on the macro theory which, alike functionalism, is concerned with the structure of society. Marxism explains inequalities in societies such as the UK by examining the ship canal in which the bourgeoisie exploit and oppress the working class orproletariat. Inequalities are a result of the economic arrangements people make to fulfil their basic needs.Bowles and Gintis used Marxist ideas to explain how the education system reproduced the ideas of the thought class and legitimated inequalities. They argue students experience of prepareing is an alienating one. School specifically prepares students for their approaching as workers in a capitalist system. They argue that school does not prepare everyone in the same way it prepares them according to their future position in society. Bowles and Gintis believe that schools are not meritocratic and that claiming they are is part of the ruling class i deology persuading people that inequalities are fair. neo Marxists have developed on the ideas of Marxism. They argue that the infrastructure and the social relations that arise from it are important in understanding inequalities, but so too is the role of ideas and culture. They particularly focus on a number of areas to explain inequalities. Areas such as the role of the media the dominance of the ruling class the nature of the class structure and the relationship between cultural, social, and economic capital.weber argued that stratification is not just based on the economic relationships people enter into, as Marx argued, but the standing or status a psyche had and the political influence or power a person might have as a result of membership of a political party or trade union. Class, status and party are all linked to power. However, he accepted that class is the most important determinant of the three in relation to the acquisition of life chances and inequality. Postmoderni sts argued that the world was becoming increasingly characterised by uncertainty and diversity which cannot be explained by the old grand narratives, that is, the traditional sociological theories. The service sector is now bigger than the primary and secondary sectors. People do not see themselves in class terms they construct their identities via the media and what they consume. For postmodernists the key to inequalities lies in the study of the post industrial world and the fact that the production of knowledge has taken precedence over manufacturing.