Structural Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interaction Theories on Family

Structural Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interaction Theories on Family
Thoughts on the Topic
Family is a very important concept in life but a not so easy thing to define. The word “family” itself conjures a lot of different meanings, ideas and even emotions. Although Webster’s dictionary define it as “a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household,” cultures of different origins and theories also have laid down their cards as to what a family is. Webster’s definition may have put it very simple and understandable, yet it may also have invited some criticisms for being too simple and the part of “living together in a household” may not come into agreement with the idea of many contemporary families, who may be living far apart but still connected through the help of modern technology. There are definitions of family based on kinship; a group of people sharing common ancestors.
I may be living with a close-knit family in a family compound, all by myself in my own apartment, with a partner; I may be a child, a parent, a grandparent. Whatever I may be, I definitely have been born to a family and belong to such family. Belongingness is promoted by the values of care and of love is first experienced in a family.
Even in other creatures, care and protection for the young can be observed. It may be true that it is just the instincts of animals to ensure the continuity of their species. But the care, protection and love that are remarkable of the family are just basically the same. However, what make us different are the rational intentions that vary widely together with our status in society, values and interests.
Family contributes greatly to the development of a child. It gives the child the basic sense of identity and belongingness. Apart from the genetic influences of the parents’ physiology, the family also helps provide the child the first lessons in life; their first skills, language and their moral values. It helps build up our personality and shapes us to who we are and who we will be.
There is also a need to understand the family according to its connection to society. There are three main sociological perspectives that sociologists employ; Structural Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interactionist perspectives.
The Structural Functionalist Perspective
The Functionalist treats society as a complex system with components that work together for stability and solidarity. It views the family a...