Chapter 2 Interpreting Social Problems: - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Chapter 2

Interpreting Social Problems:

AgingSlide2

Sociological Theories and Social Problems

Theory:

A statement about how and why specific facts are related.

A theory provides a framework for organizing facts, and in so doing, provides a way of interpreting reality.

Sociological Theory:

Provides a framework for thinking about a social issue from a perspective that we might otherwise neglect; a basic image of society that guides thinking and research.Slide3

Three Theories

FUNCTIONALISM

A social system composed of parts that work together to benefit the whole

CONFLICT THEORY

Groups competing with one another within the same social system; sees society as divided by inequality and conflict

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

People’s patterns of behavior always changing; sees society as the product of individuals interacting with one anotherSlide4

Functionalism and Social Problems

Major theory that sociologists use to interpret social problems

Sees society as a system with many interrelated parts.

When each part does its job, the system runs smoothly. If some part fails, however, the whole machine can suffer (

dysfunctions).

From the functionalist perspective, a social problem is the failure of some part of society that interferes with the society’s smooth functioning.

Problems don’t stem from bad people but bad institutions.Slide5

The Development of FunctionalismAuguste

Comte

Society as organism

Herbert Spencer

Society as structure

Emile Durkheim

Normal and abnormal states

Robert Merton

Functions and dysfunctionsSlide6

Applying Functionalism to Social Problems

Major source of social problems is the inevitable consequence of change.

Institutional change in one area of society disrupts the equilibrium of society’s parts, forcing those parts to make new adjustments.

Aging: Society needs to pass its positions of responsibility (jobs) from one group (the elderly) to another group (younger people).

Disengagement

Theory

– elderly disengage from society/networks.Slide7

Functionalist Theory: Aging

Functions:

Social Security transfers jobs from older workers to younger

Social Security not only benefits recipients but families, businesses, and workers at Social Security Administration

Nursing homes as positive environments

Function of change in family/work patterns

Dysfunctions:

Nursing home facilities can be inadequate or detrimental

Barriers to receiving adequate care and treatment that the elderly face

Rules and regulationsSlide8
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Conflict Theory and Social Problems

Below the surface, society’s parts are competing with one another for scarce resources.

From the conflict perspective, social problems are the natural and inevitable outcome of social struggle.

Conflict theory:

views society as a system in competition and conflict

Each group in society attempts to further its own interests, even at the expense of others.

As these interests collide, the social order becomes unstable.

Those in power exploit people and their resources for their own benefit.Slide10

The Development of Conflict Theory

Karl Marx

Capitalism and

conflict

Bourgeoisie and Proletariat

Concluded that the hallmark of history is a struggle for power

Georg Simmel

Compared the relationships of people who occupy higher positions (

superordinates

) with those who are in lower positions (subordinates)

Lewis

Coser

Analyzed why conflict is especially likely to develop among people who have close relationshipsSlide11

Applying Conflict Theory to Social Problems

At the root of each social problem lies conflict over the distribution of power and privilege.

Social problems are inevitable, for it is inevitable that groups will come in conflict as they try to maintain or to gain control over power and privilege

.

Those with power don’t like to give it up.

Understanding that power and privilege lie at the root of social problems helps analysts to penetrate the surface and pinpoint what any particular social problem is all about.Slide12

Applying Conflict Theory to Social Problems

Two types of social problems:

Trouble experienced by people who are exploited by the powerful

Trouble experienced by the powerful when the exploited resist, rebel, or even appeal to higher valuesSlide13

Introducing Feminist Theory

Inspired by the Marxist theory and aims to transform society instead of just studying it

Patriarchy

Rule by men

is understood to be the root of all this inequality.

To maintain this power, men create boundaries and obstacles for women, making it hard for them to gain power.Slide14

The Development of Feminist Theory

In 1970s, feminist theory was an umbrella term that described oppression of all women.

In 1980s, feminists split into five different branches of feminist theory

:

Radical feminism:

dismantle society entirely to dissolve patriarchy

Liberal feminism:

all people created equal and deserve equal rights

Socialist feminism:

direct link between capitalist class structure and oppression of women

Cultural feminism:

biological differences between men and women should be appreciated

Ecofeminism

:

patriarchy oppressive for women and environmentSlide15

Applying Feminist Theory to Social Problems

Social norms place the burden of care for elderly parents disproportionately on daughters, not sons.

In the U.S., men typically do not care for parent(s) because it is often assumed his wages are more vital than a woman’s.

Over the next several decades, the population of aged persons will continue to grow, while the number of caregivers remain constant.

Social problems are a result of the struggle over resources between men and women.Slide16

Symbolic Interactionism and Social Problems

The significance of culture

Focuses on the symbols that people use to make sense out of life

Symbols:

things to which we attach meaning and that we use to communicate with one another

Because symbols change, so do social problemsSlide17

Symbolic Interactionism and Social Problems: Aging

Earlier in our history, old age was a

personal

problem, not a

social

problem.

What was once a personal problem

has

become a social problem

From the perspective of symbolic interactionists, then, social problems are whatever people in a society define as social problems.Slide18

Development of Symbolic Interactionism

Georg Simmel (1858–1918)

Chicago School

Charles Horton Cooley (1864–1929)

Looking-glass self

George Herbert Mead (1863–1931)

Role of the other and generalized other

Alfred Schutz (1899–1959), Peter Berger

(

1929),

and Thomas

Luckmann

(1927–)

Phenomenological sociology and social construction of realitySlide19

Applying Symbolic Interactionism to Social Problems

Social Construction of Reality:

the attempt to make sense of life by giving meaning to one’s experiences.

The Social Construction of Social Problems:

Labeling

Simply means that people categorize things

Put tags on other people or on events and then act accordinglySlide20

3 Theoretical PerspectivesSlide21
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The Future of the Problem: The Pendulum Swings

Economic growth and expansion of federal programs reduced poverty rate for the aged to below nation’s

average

Some

people think elderly are receiving more than their fair share.

Reflects fundamental shift in the subjective concerns of this social problem

Belief centers on costs of health care

In about 20 years or so, one in five Americans will be elderly.

This continuous growth will strain Social Security and health care programs.Slide23
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Figure 2.3Slide25

Life Expectancy in Global PerspectiveSlide26

The Emerging Struggle

“Congress has caved in and has given too many benefits to old people.”

Some want to trim Social Security, Medicare, and other programs available to the elderly.

To protect their gains, older Americans have organized a powerful political lobby

.

Conflict Perspective

The

AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) boasts 38 million members and a staff of 1,200.

Difficult for politicians to ignore these

numbers

Gray PanthersSlide27

The Emerging Struggle

The interests of younger and older groups are on a collision course.

Two major problems:

Contributions to Social Security are not put into a worker’s own account.

Proportion that collect Social Security is growing, proportion who are working (those who pay) is shrinking.

Dependency ratio:

number of workers compared with number of Social Security recipientsSlide28

Social Security Payments and beneficiaries: Fewer workers to support the retiredSlide29

Nursing Homes:

Understaffing, Dehumanization, and Death

Gender Roles among

Elderly

Elder Abuse

Elderly Poor

Gender and the Elderly

Gender

and Poverty

Race-Ethnicity and Poverty

Problems of DependencySlide30

Recurring Problems: Race – ethnicity and poverty in old ageSlide31

AgeismShifting MeaningsTechnology

Influence

of Mass Media

Changing Perceptions of the ElderlySlide32
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Politics: Constructing Problems and Defining SolutionsThe Political Spectrum: a continuum representing a range of political attitudes from “left” to “right”Plays huge role in determining how to solve social problems

E

ach has very different approaches solutions

Conservatives

: Seek to limit the scope of societal change

Fo

cus on shortcomings of individuals not society

Liberals

: Favor more sweeping change in society

See problems in the organization of society

Radicals

: Support policies that go beyond mere reform

Can either be ultra liberal or ultra conservative

Who

T

hinks What?

Social forces, structures, location, etc.