Thursday, August 22, 2019
Theoretical Paradigm To Analyze A Current Newspaper Article Essay Example for Free
Theoretical Paradigm To Analyze A Current Newspaper Article Essay From a functionalist perspective, social institutions such as families and governments are analyzed and explained as collective means to satisfy specific or individual biological requisites. These social institutions, along with the rest, are composed of interconnected roles or norms such as the interconnected roles within the family (e.g. father, mother, etc.).            As it essentially concerns the workings and the very structure of the society, the functionalist perspective views the society as composed of interdependent branches which work together to meet the functions needed for the general society’s survival. Moreover, as functionalists understand that the behaviors within the society are primarily structural in nature, the functionalist perspective delves into the socialization of individuals defined according to their specific and contingent behaviors and roles which satisfies the society’s necessities.            It is also the sociological perspective which believes that rules and regulations aid in organizing the social relationships among the members of the whole society. In essence, the functionalist perspective is founded on the concept that the society is a whole system composed of the totality of interdependent segments. It is also founded on the belief that functional requirements must be satisfied for the survival of the society. Lastly, it is also founded on the presumption that phenomena are accepted to exist as they are functional within the society.            In the case of the family of Eric Alan, the worth of his family proves the idea that the family as a social institution has interconnected roles with the larger society. In particular, having to redesign his familys home into something more breathable exemplifies the presumption that the individual roles in the family, such as the role of the father to provide an inhabitable home for his family, and the family in general is tied with the other segments of the society in such a way that one reinforces the values of the other and vice versa.            Featured in the November 8 issue of the New York Times, A Crowded Family Enters the Space Age conveys the story of a father wanting to provide a larger house for his growing family with the aid of Architect Neil Denari. In return, Denaris expertise and skills acquire a living experience thus proving to be another feat not only in his career as an architect but also in the discipline of architecture. From a functionalist perspective, this very well provides a real life example of how the units of the society interact together harmoniously in order to continue with survival.            The subject of the article is sociological for a number of reasons. First, the primary concept involved in the article is family, which is considered to be the basic functioning unit of the society, which is also explained and analyzed in terms of its growth. Second, and in relation to the first reason, the growth of the family involves the help of an external unit exemplified in the article as the architect embodying one of the other units in the society. Third, this relation can be seen as a form of interdependency in the sense that the growing family requires the help of the architect and that the role of the architect is to be fulfilled in terms of the help needed by the family. Finally, this situation can be projected from a larger perspective and can be related to the various segments of the society, thereby highlighting the existing interdependencies existing in the society.            The family in the society, being its basic functioning unit, can be described as having its own set of interconnected norms or roles from within using the functionalist perspective. By norms and roles, what is being meant are the individual roles and functions of the members of the family. Eric Alan, being the father of his family, has the role of securing his familys welfare. And one of these ways to secure family welfare is to provide a suitable home especially for a growing family of three daughters.            Since the society is believed to be composed of interdependent units from the functionalist perspective, it can be assumed that other units share a definitive role in achieving the aims of the family as a single unit. In Eric Alans case, it can be observed that in order to achieve his goal of providing a larger shelter for his growing family, Mr. Alan sought the help of an architect specializing in refurbishing structures such as houses. This instance points us to the sociological idea that the family, in certain circumstances, would have to depend on the capabilities of other sectors of the society.            Without the help of a specialist, Mr. Alans goal would hardly be attained if it can be attained at all solely on his familys own. Considering the fact that Mr. Alan and his wife have their own work-related affairs to deal with, and with their children attending the local school, doing things on their own is simply not a practical option. As a result, they sought the help of Architect Neil Denari which seals the core idea that the family is interdependent on the other segments of the society in at least one way.            On the other hand, this dependency of the family is not an isolated form of dependency. Quite on the contrary, it can be seen from the functionalist perspective as a form of interdependency wherein one unit depends on another unit in order to realize its objectives and vice versa. While the family sought the help of an architect representing the discipline of architecture, the architect, in order to fulfill his obligations and norms or roles would have to acquire the services being sought by the other segments of the society. Otherwise, these roles or norms would not be realized.            Moreover, the functionalist perspective will interpret the roles of the architect as primarily structural in nature. This is in the sense that there is a form in the role and behaviors of the architect with regard to its functioning in the society. The provision of service to the family of Mr. Alan by Architect Denari is not a mere servicing devoid of certain procedures. There is a scheme which Denari is required to follow in order to carry out his role and provide the family of Mr. Alan the service that they require.            The specific scheme upon which Denaris role operates revolves around the details of his position as an architect. This corresponds to a set of either written codifications that serve as guide for acting in good faith on behalf of the larger domain of architecture, or a set of accepted norms. These norms can be ethical or professional norms which serve as templates for the actions or behavior of Denari as an architect. More importantly, all of these represent the general idea that norms or rules serve as framework for the individual behaviors or actions of individuals under a specific segment of the society. The structures of these units (e.g. family, the individual architect) are notably in the form of a specific and well-established format where deviance may either face the equivalent sanctions or condemnation.            In any case, the structure for each unit is an essential composition for the very existence of these social units. The structure of Mr. Alans family, for instance, follows that of the conventional structure of father, mother, and children whereas the structure of Architect Denaris role is founded upon the precepts, doctrines, or established rules of norm for his discipline. More specifically, the structure of Mr. Denaris role follows the conventional processâ€â€a surveying of the site specifically the house of Mr. Alans family, the preparation of the plans and procedures, and the actual execution of the architectural process.            The essence of all these things corresponds to the presumption that there is a form of interdependency between these two social units: the family of Mr. Alan and Architect Denari. Further, this interdependency is based on the existing needs and roles of the two social units whereas the separate needs and roles of any of the two social units are founded on the established norms and rules. This leads us to the final point: the given situation can be projected from a larger perspective and can be related to the various segments of the society, thereby highlighting the existing interdependencies existing in the society as prescribed by the functionalist perspective.            There are numerous social rules and norms predominant in the world, and most of these specific norms are relative to every individual society, country, or culture. While there may be irregularities among these sets of norms and rules as a result perhaps of cultural differences, there still remain the structure for the individual rules and norms for these societies.            The world can be considered as the summation of the existing societies and is perhaps a whole society on its own. There are rules and norms that govern the world even from such a massive scale, such as the norms and rules for human conduct in social interaction. Perhaps no society is inclined to allowing its members from inflicting harm to one another, and out if this broad perspective several other specific and detailed rules and norms branch out. The differencesâ€â€quite on the contrary of believing that these are indicators of a non-structured world as the largest societyâ€â€indicate that there separate structures of norms and rules operating amongst the various sectors of the world.            The functionalist perspective indeed allows us to view the sociological ideas behind the case of Mr. Eric Alans family and Architect Neil Denari. The specific sociological factors involved further allow us to view and analyze the larger stream of sociological interactions occurring throughout the different parts of the world. References Mahner, M., Bunge, M. (2001). Function and Functionalism: A Synthetic Perspective. Philosophy of Science, 68(1), 75-94. Webb, M. (2007, November 8). A Crowded Family Enters the Space Age. New York Times.
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