Free Essay About Family

- What are the basic elements of the conflict theory in sociology? How would a conflict theorist explain the family? How would a conflict perspective on family differ from a functionalist perspective on family?
The basic elements of the conflict theory in sociology include class, race and ethnicity, gender and religion. From the perspective of a conflict theorist, the family acts toward the persistence of social inequality within a society through strengthening and maintaining the status quo. Wealthy families have the opportunity with regard to social position for their members, on the other hand, poor families and its members do not experience such similar status. The functionalist views that members of the society exist in undifferentiated and small groups where they communicate and impart strong family ties and execute similar daily task.
- Please list five (5) of the key dimensions of internal stratification and inequality that may exist within families (i.e. gender differences between spouses, birth order of children, etc.).
Among the key dimensions of internal stratification and inequality within the family include birth order of children, age grading, hierarchy of sex, gender difference between spouses and patrilineal inheritance where only male children can take over. In terms of gender differences, the conflict theorist perspective is that men, just like any other groups, have the wealth and power advantage. Men, generally, fight to uphold their control over resources. Within the family, men take on more responsibility, given the authority to make decisions and manage power for the greater good of every member of the family. Conflict theorist perceives given the family structure and gender roles, when it comes to owner and worker relationship, men assumes the position to make decisions whereas the women are more of the proletariat. Furthermore, from this theorist perspective, women relies more on the men in the family in terms of wages and resources.
- Please list five (5) of the key dimensions of external inequality that exist between different types of families (i.e. ones organized around differences in social class, or sexual orientation of spouses/partners, or citizenship of family members).
The key dimensions of external inequality that exist between different types of family include sexual orientation between partners and spouses, citizenship of family members, differences in social classes, educational attainability among members of the family as well as division of labor. From the point of view of a conflict theorist, the social class puts on competition, and this provides social imbalance until prevailing groups’ gains control and stability through power. According to this theory, the society has two class systems. These systems include the bourgeoisie, who were mostly the owners of the production, and the other member is the proletariat, who are the workers. The ownership of personal properties by the member of the system dictates the division and differences of social class. Part of conflict theory explains that within a social class, conflict is a normal part of relationship and does not imply sign of instability. Conflict theorist believe that the existence of conflict within a social class leads to social change, triggers and stimulates innovation and new ideas as well as increase of central power during the time of war threat.