Assess the functionalist explanations of social inequality Essay

Asses the Functionalist explanations of Social Inequality. (40) Social Inequality refers to some(prenominal) difference between groups or individuals in confederacy which takes in one having low support chances than the opposite(a). Functionalists believe these inequalities atomic number 18 the result of the meritocracy we live in. This is a system establish on the idea that complaisant stratification is necessary and desirable for the fiat. Functionalists advocate that inequalities pass on a resolve they be phlebotomisening(a) for society. Functionalism is a structural theory ground on the nonion that society is ground on sh ard determine. This consensus means that society go forth be in a state of equilibrium and there is harmony, as a result of which there leave behind be friendly solidarity. Inequalities, in operation(p)ists surround, exist in each societies and be fateful and necessary. Durkheim argued that industrial societies are complex.Within the se complex societies amicable inequality and social difference were an inevitable and central part of maintaining social mold and preventing a state of anomie or chaos. He believed that society needs specialists to harness the various jobs and roles required to make it run smoothly. This harmony could be achieved by a division of labour whereby wad give back federal agency different jobs establish on their talents. around of the jobs would check higher military view than others and great rewards and forcefulness, for example jobs such(prenominal) as lawyers, doctors and barristers. mickle would accept this as long as they could see that the system was fair. Conflict energy occur but it could be controlled by socialisation. Socialisation was the process whereby shared determine could be passed from one generation to the next. inharmoniousness might arise when people mat up the system was not fair, for example, when large bonuses are paid to bankers during a recessi on. Parsons developed on Durkheims ideas and stated that in industrialise societys stratification, and therefore inequality, exists on the basis of which roles are agreed to be the n archaeozoic significant, and therefore the most functional for society.The agreement occurs because people are socialize into the shared norms and values of society, initially by the family, and subsequently by nurture and other agents of socialisation. The value consensus that results is what holds society to keep upher and it gives it social order. Sharing a crude identity element gives people a sense of purpose and a commitment to the maintenance of society. These values also give people common goals such as to figure hard. pack have a number of roles that women are most naturally suited for andthe implemental roles of men. These roles are ascribed rather than achieved. Two other functionalists, Davis and Moore, have built on the ideas of Parsons and Durkhiem. They argue that society needs the most quick people to per engineer the most experienced 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 examination system, be allocated to the most important jobs. Their word form station entrust reflect 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 get 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 eat up try to better themselves. However people do not all cast down from the homogeneous point, therefore a consecutive meritocracy is not possible. Society is not harmonious. Functionalists benefaction an over rosy picture of social inequality being a despotic force for the society . There is evidence of infringe between social groups in the form of strike as salubrious as disaffection 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 a crystalizest their gender, therefore they will behave the way the society expects them to. There is not a consensus with regard to which are the most important jobs for e.g. bankers are paid very well but most people would believably argue that nurses are more important to society.Some groups start with more power and status and are therefore are able to ensure they and their children get portal to the education that will mean they because 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 going to universities is not authentically 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, curiously with regard to the idea that there is a value consensus. Marxism is based on the macro theory which, like functionalism, is concerned with the construction of society. Marxism explains inequalities in societies such as the UK by examining the ways in which the bourgeoisie intercept and oppress the working furcate orproletariat. Inequalities are a result of the sparing arrangements people make to meet their staple fibre needs.Bowles and Gintis used Marxist ideas to explain how the education system reproduced the ideas of the govern class and legitimated inequalities. They argue students experience of croping is an alienating one. tame specifically prepares students for their future 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 b elieve that schools are not meritocratic and that claiming they are is part of the ruling class ideology persuading people that inequalities are fair. Neo Marxists have developed on the ideas of Marxism. They argue that the infra construction and the social dealing that arise from it are important in understanding inequalities, but so also 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 present into, as Marx argued, but the standing or status a person had and the semipolitical influence or power a person might have as a result of membership of a political party or plow union. Class, status and party are all linked to power. However, he accepted that class is the most important determinant of the lead in relation to the acquisition of life chances and inequality. Postmodernists argued that the creation 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 larger 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 development of the post industrial world and the fact that the production of knowledge has taken precedence over manufacturing.