Sociological Perspectives Institution Of The Family

Sociological Perspectives Institution Of The Family Society is the subject of the social sciences. Generally Speaking society is that complex social organization of human beings that share an identity inhabiting dynamic relationships and a distinctive culture. Members of a society identify themselves through that society and work together with other members to ensure that the rules generally agreed upon by all members to govern how they relate to each other are in place. Sociological perspectives are viewpoints from which we study and understand society and its varied mechanics and elements. There are varied sociological perspectives available to social scientists for the purpose of study. What sociological perspective is used depends on the theories and purposes of the one undertaking the study. Functionalism, Conflict theory, and Social Interactionism are sociological perspectives that I believe can be used to study the social unit of the family. Functionalism looks at the family as if it was one mechanical entity with every member of the family taking on a role and a function affecting the whole. For example, the mother is the nurturer, support to the husband in terms of keeping the family together taking on household duties as well as economic duties; the father, traditionally is head of the family whose primary function is to provide for the economic and financial needs of his wife and children; the children are dependent on their parents but take on an important role towards each other and to their parents. What these roles are vary according to the age of the children and their stage in life. In the elder years of their parents, the children are expected to become the nurturer and provider for their parents, a role reversal of sorts. Since a functionalist perspectives focuses on roles/functions, when a family is in a state of conflict, the dynamics of family function can be looked at to pinpoint the areas of issue/tension for the purpose of finding solutions. Now, from a functionalist perspective, how can a member of a family view self and society? First off, the self-view will be rooted in function and expectations. The father for example will view himself as one who must provide for and protect his family based on standard expectations of what fathers do and what fatherhood means in the society he belongs to. He will view society as one of function and structure as well where his family makes up a unit integral to the functioning social groups he/his family belongs. Roles then will become part of the expected mental images a functionalist perspective gives in terms of viewing family and society. Thus, the roles of mother, father, daughter, son, aunt, uncle, grandparents, cousins all these are based on social and cultural standards. This extend s out to expected roles functions of key individuals in society as well as social groups (i.e. Priest, teachers, politicians, employers, church, government, businesses, etc.). In terms of social change, if change is systemic, it will be based on or will have to be rooted in the need to overhaul or effect a particular function for the purpose of adapting to or surviving challenges, conflicts or trends. Take for example the trend of and the established need to adapt to new communication technologies (3G phones, mobile internet). Once families used to not need such technologies to keep track of and keep in touch with family members to nurture relationships and fulfil obligations. Now though, parents and children have adapted digital technology in their lives to harness the function of connectivity and communication providing new avenues for family connectedness. On Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic interactionism as a perspective on the other hand looks at the micro relationships between family members looking at their everyday life and the relationship all members have with each other. It seeks to find out the finer details of social relationships in order to understand why they work/dont work. It seeks to see whether families attach certain meanings to social stereotypes in relation to their expectations from each other. At the same time it also seeks to understand how each other come to mean in the lives, choices and interpretations of each member. It seeks to establish the strength and frailty of familial relationships by providing details. It is different from functionalism in that it focuses on quality meaning of relationships instead of function alone. While functionalism sees the family as an organic entity that follows a unique structure according to role designation within the family-group, symbolic interactionism gives more weight to the function of relat ionships in the family structure. For example, the importance of family bonds can be measured in the way family members act towards each other. For Herbert Blumer (1986), the originator of the theory, familial relationships are best understood via the discourses and interactions of family members in their relationships towards each other for meaning is created via this, relationships built, conflicts resolved, positions taken. In other words, this sociological perspective is a discursive microscope that can create a genealogy of family relations and provide a picture of shared beliefs and unique family behaviour that contribute (or due to lack of prohibits from creating) towards a shared family culture and identity. What does this mean for members of a family? It is in discourse that meaning is created. Cultures and traditions of families are built over interaction and shared histories. Without interaction, meaning and relationships cannot be built. For individual members of the fam ily then, family is viewed as a dynamic and continual interaction with each other that allow for meanings and symbolisms to be invested and shared by those who interact. For example, a father can only be a father if he interacts with his children to fulfil his own expectations of himself as a father to his children and if the children respond to him in such a way that the interaction establishes a communication exchange, a discourse where father and children find meaning in each other. Therefore while the father works to provide for his children, without interaction, this relationship is not socially established in meaning making familial relations between father and children non-existent. Society from this perspective is seen as a massive social structure where truth and structures are established based on discourse; without interaction, without discourse, there is no progress especially in terms of shared cultural practices. A family vested in social interaction sees active relati onships as essential in establishing bonds and social change, at least within the family will only happen via discourse. For example, a status qou must be arrived at via discourse in which members of the family have come to agree or view a particular position or necessary action similarly to warrant collective shift in approaches or performance of a particular action. The Conflict Theory Conflict theory, a perspective rooted in the ideas of Emile Durkheim (social conflict crime) Karl Marx (dialectical materialism/Marxism) looks into differentials of power how power, influence and authority influences the distribution of access to resources, for example, in a particular social group. Hence, it is a good perspective in the study of criminology for it can be used to pinpoint the source/forces behind criminality due to access/lack of access to power economic resources. As a perspective in understanding the social unit of the family however, conflict theory can be used to understand the power relations in the family the hierarchy of family authority and control. Thus the use of conflict theory in the study of the family unit can be said to focus on the negative aspects of family structure and relations; at the same time however such a focus can it also bring out the relations of gender, of power and of control. Eventually, it is easy enough to identify who controls w hat and which in the family in order to assign responsibility and correct social and relationship conflict. Conflict theory is a tool used in identifying family issues in order to find ways to fix them. For instance, if a teen is having issues with his/her parents, conflict theory can be used to analyze and pinpoint the source of friction in order to ascertain remedies in fixing parent and child relations. In the case of extended families that are so typical in parts of Asia (i.e. Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam) wherein extended families allow economic and social support for members of the clan that cannot otherwise support themselves, their children and their needs, conflict theory is perfect in unravelling the relations of power and control including identifying factions, matriarchy patriarchy patterns and areas of resolution (especially if the conflict theory is taken on to resolve a familial issue). Members of a family using the conflict theory can be viewed as so cial agents differentiated by their access to power and resources. Hence, they are essentially competing with each other. A family member can look into ones position in the family to assess his or her access to influence, power and resources to determine his/her position in the family. If parents, for example are fair, and if the mother and the father see each other as equals then in the decisions that they make, this is reflected. But if this is not the case, if the father has more say in family matters including economic issues, then there is a differential between husband and wife in terms of familial authority. If all children in the family are treated the same and given similar opportunities, then one can say that access to resources and authority is fair; but if one is treated better than the other then there is definitely a differential in terms of access to power and resources between children. Members of families who view their primary grouping as one of competition for res ources (i.e. one of conflict) sees society as a bigger representation of their own issues to resources and authority within their families. They will view society as an intensely competitive social arena where to survive; one must be adept in working towards more power and access to resources via structures like schools, government and civilian organizations (businesses, NGOs, private firms). Social change is inevitable for status qou will change dependent on the sway of power at any given time. From this perspective, society is continually changing and power changes hands regularly due to competition. Word Count:1,729

Market Entry Strategy Essay

Limited Brands, parent company to Bath and Body, currently employs an integrated marketing plan for its distribution of the Bath and Body product line (L Brand International Strategy 2014, Para 1). This strategy could be combined with the prospect of a joint venture for a successful expansion into the United Kingdom market. Integrated marketing channels can be challenging to manage but they are the most effective way to connect marketing and customer service, providing benefits for both company and consumer (Ellis, 2011). A successful integrated market entry strategy starts and ends with a focus on customers. The needs of the customer must be the top priority, because the success of the company depends on the loyalty of the customers it attracts (Ellis, 2011). Bath and Body is already a well-recognized brand in many different parts of the world, providing a starting point for market entry (L Brand International Brand, 2014, Para 2). It is also important for this strategy to be effective that all aspects of the company from manufacturing, distribution, and sales are operating together. This step requires effective constant communication. Each channel to the customer has strengths and weaknesses, using the strengths of one to offset the weakness of another will assist the company’s customer effectiveness while reducing overall costs (Ellis, 2011). Bath and Body has a well-established product chain that provides products at many price points. This allows for the expansion to test different markets with smaller trials, then capitalize on the areas where customers purchasing. SWOT Analysis The method of measuring a companies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is SWOT analysis. This method assist companies in making decisions by providing decision makers a straightforward way to analysis both internal and external information pertaining to company operations or potential expansions (SWOT Analysis, 2014). Analysis of potential expansion to the United Kingdom by Bath and Body provides potential strengths of recognized brand imaging, reasonable price points compared to current options, customer loyalty, and providing of job opportunities in a recovering market. Weaknesses include competitive market, department stores  carrying similar products, and the lack of a green product line. Market opportunities include the availability of e-commerce, social media, and understanding of the market. Threats include outside competition, lower priced products in market, and a recovering economy. References Ellis, D. (2011, September 7). 5 components of a successful integrated marketing strategy. Social Media Today. Retrieved on February 28, 2014, from http://socialmediatoday.com/debraellis/352405/5-components-successful-integrated-marketing-strategy L Brands. (2014). International Strategy. Retrieved on February 28, 2014 from http://www.lb.com/international/strategy/default.aspx SWOT Analysis. (2014). Investopedia. Retrieved on February 28, 2014, from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/swot.asp

Evolution Of Machines During World War 1 - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 715 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2019/05/17 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: War Essay World War 1 Essay Did you like this example? World War 1 brought many innovations that will change the way we fight our wars for many years to come. From the tracer bullets to the tanks and u boats we start battling in air and sea also within the innovation of warfare we start losing mass amount of lives due to our innovation. In World War 1 sometimes they had to fight at night so to not fire the same place, they created tracer bullets which left a slight but yet noticeable trace in air which was somehow flammable. Even though the tracer bullets were advantageous to gunners and military strategies. Also with several disadvantage with enemy knowing where the bullets come from and pinpoint counted attacks. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Evolution Of Machines During World War 1" essay for you Create order In 1915 the British army have developed the first tank called it the Mark I it would only move around 3 mph and had a small diesel engine. The only problem was that if the wheel in the back was knocked off the whole tank was practically immobilized. It would only move vertical couldnt move left nor right. The enemy would usually have an artillery gun and if you couldnt move you of course were helpless at that point. The Mark I was only 28 tons the guns differed by the gender of the tank. Male tanks have a six pounder gun in every position. Female tanks had two heavy Vickers in replacement for the six pounder. The driver was up front in the right secondary gears men and the commander were on the front left. The tanks helped change the tide of war mainly light tanks heavy tanks at first were difficult to maneuver. Tanks such as light combat tank ford model 1918 3 ton m1918 also the m1917 ton for the us, leitcher kampfwagen for Germany, Renault ft-17 for the French. Also the poison gas that was first introduced in World War 1 was chlorine gas in the battle of second Ypres in 1915. You couldnt aim properly if you first put the gas mask but was also introduced in ww1. Germans were the first to use chemical warfare as an advantage. The types of gas used during World War 1 were phosgene gas, mustard, and chlorine. For the symptoms to appear it would take usually 24 hours for it to be noticed .Phosgene was the main killer in World War 1 it produced 85% of the death in the first world war. Mustard gas was heavier than air and reason being they called it mustard gas was the foul smell it gave off resembling mustard with the color and smell. Usually it would be thrown into the trenches to force the enemy out of the trenches. Mustard gas caused severe blister and chemical burns on skin and lungs. Women also contributed to the war by nursing the wounded and taking over the jobs of the men. Women started improvising by disposing or making their undergarments washable. The French were the first to figure that clean absorbent bandages were far more superior to any other type of bandages. Red Cross nurses started supplying every nurse to have sanitary napkins. It was 5 times more absorbent than the standard bandages. The machine guns became a very powerful weapon during world war1 usually for one stationary machine gun it took 4-6 men. They would put it behind a barrier and while they were shooting the rest of the mens were putting ammunition into the belt feeder while the gunner was shooting a single machine gun can fire up to 600 rounds a minute. One of the machine guns used in World War 1 were the mg15nA it was first developed in the German empire. Its magazine included 100/200 and utilized a bipod which is used to provoke accurate fire. Also putting two powerful weapons (during the time) merging them together would benefit the army greatly. General George Patton was the first to put a machine gun in a vehicle. He put a Vickers machine gun into an automobile vehicle it injured more than 25% of Mexicos militia during the time being. On June 7 1912 captain Charles de forest chandler put a machine gun on a plane and demonstrated in a brief flight it went to 50 mph out of the 50 bullets fired 45 hit the necessary target what was supposed to be hit. The machine gun was light enough to be carried by a low powered aircraft.

Slavery A Rough Draft - 1315 Words

Michael Gaudioso Mr. Alexander Freshman Theology Honors 28 October 2014 SLAVERY IN CHURCH ESSAY ROUGH DRAFT When we think of the word slavery, extremely negative connotations to mind. We think of how millions of African people were rounded up like sheep, stuffed into boats with horrible conditions, and brought to this country where they were treated as lesser people. They were forced to work without pay, in one of the most unforgiving occupations, farming. All this because of where they were from and the color of their skin. Despite this, many people actually defended slavery using the bible. Passages such as St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians approves slaves where he writes, â€Å"Slaves, obey your human master in everything, not only when being watched, as currying favor, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.† However, due to the inhumanity of slavery, during Vatican II the Church reversed its ideas on slavery. This massive change took place more than 80 years after the end of reconstruction. This long period of time raises many questions regarding the Churc h s ability to make that big of a change, and why the Church waited so long make those changes. These types of questions can be answered by going back into the bible, and into the Church’s history through a process called Biblical criticism. The process of Biblical Criticism is when a theologian analyzes a passage of scripture in terms of the time and place of its writing. This process is useful whenShow MoreRelatedAfter the Fact: Declaring Independence Essay1549 Words   |  7 Pagesexpectations for the colonies to separate. The decision became fixed; Congress appointed a five person committee composed of Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston to draft a document declaring independence. 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