Learning Activity 02

Theoretical Approaches to social problems (structural-functionalist orientation and conflict orientation).

1. Structural functionalist

A structural-functional theory sees society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the individuals in that society. Basically, each member of the society has a role to play in ensuring that the society is stable and functioning properly. Social stability is necessary for a strong and adequate socialization and social integration. In this theory, there are two types of functions namely manifest function and latent function in simple words what happens to the left-hand side will most certainly be complementary to the right-hand side, and that a bad thing can result in a good thing. A perfect example of this is crime and law in order for the law to function properly to its full capacity crime needs to be there so as to punish the criminals and better the laws and ensure that the country is governable.

2. Conflict orientation

Conflict orientation in the society is characterized by pervasive inequality based on social class, race, gender, and other factors. Far-reaching social change is needed to reduce or eliminate social inequality and to create an egalitarian society. Social problems arise from fundamental faults in the structure of a society and both reflect and reinforce inequalities based on social class, race, gender, and other dimensions.

As far as the structural-functionalist is concerned when one or more parts of the system fail to perform their tasks, this will create dysfunction in the society which will lead to social problems. Meanwhile, in the conflict orientation when or if the politicians keep or misuse the money of the state meant to curb the unemployment through the creation of job opportunities that were meant to better the lives of people living in poverty which is a social problem and social problems can create negative consequences for both theories.