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.

Student no: 35614099
Name: Mihlali Njengele

Depression
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a very common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
Rape
Rape is when sexual intercourse is non-consensual or when a person forces another person to have sex against their will. It can happen when the victim is either sober or intoxicated from alcohol or drugs, rape includes intercourse in the vagina, anus, or mouth and not only females also males and children get raped too.
HIV&AIDS
HIV is a virus that attacks cells that helps the body fight infections meaning that it makes the body more vulnerable to other infections, viruses and diseases. You can contact it when you have unprotected sex with someone who already has the virus or through sharing injection equipment (needles) with anyone who already has the disease. Currently there is no cure for HIV however there is treatment for it known as ARV’s this helps to slow down the disease's progress as well as prevent secondary infections and complications this can only be achieved through strict adherence to treatment. If someone refuses to take treatment the virus could develop further into what we call AIDS. People who take ARV’s and are living with HIV&AIDS typically don’t survive 3 years.
Smash and grab
A smash and grab is when thugs smash a window of a car and grab whatever valuables or belongings they can get eg: jackets, handbags, laptops etc.
All these issues listed above are social problems depression causes a negative impact to the society and the government needs to educate the public about this mental illness and provide more free counselling services. Rape and HIV&AIDS are also social problems and the police should prioritize rape cases and the law should make sure that everyone found guilty serves a very harsh sentence. The department of health should conduct more workshops educating the youth about the dangers of HIV&AIDS. Smash and grab and fast foods are not social problems what people choose to eat with their hard earned money is not a social problem at all, however, Smash and grab is a criminal activity which is not good for the society but it only affects one-third of the population and as such it should be taken seriously by the law.