Soc101 Sociological Perspectives

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Sociological Perspectives SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology Professor ______________ Date: Sociological Perspectives In the field of sociology, there are several approaches sociologists consider when studying humankind’s behavior. Sociologists contend that no single theory is correct by itself; rather, they draw on all of them for various purposes. Sociologists view the social world in diverse ways. For example, some see the world as stable and a continuing entity. Those who have this view contend they are impressed with the endurance of social institutions such as family (Schaefer, 2009). Others view society as a composition “of many groups in conflict, competing for scarce resources” (Schaefer, 2009, p.14). Yet, others find that the most fascinating aspects of the social world are the regular daily interactions between people that are often taken for granted. However, historically, the three major theoretical perspectives, functionalism, conflict, and interactionism, are most commonly considered and used by sociologists (Schaefer, 2009). This paper will provide an overview of the three major theoretical perspectives and the impact of each on the institution of family. Evaluating the family unit from various sociological viewpoints gives insight into the development of socialization within the familial framework and society at large. The Institute of Family The family unit is often seen as a societal institution which initiates the positive and/or negative process of social interactions between people. Over the last decade what constitutes the family unit has changed throughout the world. Family units in today’s environment are diverse in nature and may go beyond the scope of just parents and their children. Families can consist of variations in relationships
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