SOCI1111: Micro, Meso, and Macro Levels of Analysis?

Research Paper: Sociology
Shavickie Williams
Thompson Rivers University
July 8 2016
PART A
Question 1
What is the difference between the micro, meso, and macro levels of analysis? How might the institution of the family be examined at these three different levels?
There are three levels of analysis that can be used to analyze the family as an institution and they are the micro, meso and macro levels of analysis.
In micro level analysis emphasizes on a one-to-one degree of interaction between individuals within a particular location and their interaction in a coherent and consistent manner. Here, this level of analysis alludes that every married couple has knowledge of the individual dynamics postulated by the exchange theory. This theory proposes that relationships entail an exchange of goods and services that are valuable. Individuals look toward benefitting fully from their interactions with others.
On the other hand, the macro-level of analysis focuses on social changes in a family and its properties are large scale. These properties are mostly aggregations of specified interactions between individuals. An example is a debate on the rise of nonnuclear family forms by sociologists. This discussion is of macro entity because of the argument on the importance of the nuclear family whereby a relationship between a man and a woman is approved socially to having a child together. Therefore, this is a primary example of an orderly and functional society.
Lastly, the meso-level analysis involves the selection of mates and marital satisfaction in couples and how they affect changes within a family. This level also reveals ways on how a family can act upon desire choices and preferences of individuals. For example, the presence of children in a home affects the marital satisfaction of the parents meaning that romantic love and personal ‘chemistry’ has become so central in enhancing relationships.
Question 2
Discuss "Half of all marriages end in divorce." Is the divorce rate increasing in Canada?
The talk of divorce used to be uncommon in the past of the Canadian society because of its attracting and provoking disapproval. Presently, this talk is common and accepted due to laws introduced and enacted in the contemporary Canadian society. Later, the laws have been passed to include divorce after a separation of one year, and there is no need to prove fault from either spouse.
These legislations have affected the rate of divorce inconsequentially. In recent years, the rate of divorce has escalated, as studies show that this dramatic increase in divorce rate associates the liberalization of divorce laws with changes in the societal makeup. For example, Women empowerment and marital breakdowns have had an increase in birth rate after the return of the cohort servicemen at the end of the world war in Canada (Kelly, 2010).
Unrelated statistics have resulted to false comparisons over the rate of divorce in marriages. Some marriages in a given year have no direct relationship with the divorces that occur in the same year. It is also difficult to trace actual and accurate marriages to see their longevity. Since 1987, the total rate of divorce in Canada has remained steadier between 35 and 42 percent of married couples. Research by the employment and social development in Canada has stated that in 2008, an estimated 40.7 percentage of marriages were expected to end before the thirtieth anniversary.
Sociologists predict the rate of divorces through the study of cohorts. They should be aware of the methods they employ on research and be able to apply these results to their studies. The reason for raising their awareness is that different approaches and interpretations lead to uncertain outcomes with misleading findings.
PART B
Question 1
Outline the functionalist, critical, and symbolic interactionist perspectives on the family. Which provides the strongest insights into the contemporary diversification of family forms?
According to the functionalist perspective, families are important institutions that have a critical role in stabilizing the society. The functionalists note that family members take on status roles within a family. The family members perform certain functions that facilitate prosperity and societal development. The anthropologist George Murdock (1949) defines the family as "a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction that also includes adults of both sexes with a minimum two of whom that maintain a socially approved sexual relationship with children." These functionalists also infer that a well-mannered child is a reflection of a well-mannered parent. In contemporary societies, the family unit is responsible for establishing the emotional security and sense of self-worth in its members beginning from ...