A reasoned evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses in Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism

A sociological system is a circumscribe of ideas that provide an explanation for human edict.In undertaking an accurate definition of three sociological perspectives, I pass on make a reason out evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses in Marxism, availableism and Feminism. From the three chosen sociological perspectives I will also look at their individual views on organized worship and the family.sociological PERSPECTIVESMARXISMMarxism named after its effectuateer Karl Marx (1818 1883) is very famous and influential. Marx regarded race as two producers and the convergences of society, he believed since mass made society, only they corporation metamorphose it. He struggled that man makes his get record. Marx believed that the rich would lounge about richer (bourgeois ruling trend) and that the poor would get poorer (proletariat subordinate / operative class). He proposed that the proletariat would revolt in anger, principal to a revolution, resulting in the disappearance of the societal class system and that people would live in a more equal society. Max weber (1864 1920) agreed with Marx, however he also stressed the importance of berth and power (i.e. an individual may be poor precisely boast high status, such as a teacher). His views on organized morality differed to that of Marx too, disceptation that it could be a extension of conflict and change rather than a source of stability or companionable control. Key name calling Mark, Engels, unripe and Taylor.FUNCTIONALISMSociety is viewed as a system, that is, as a set of interrelated parts that together stimulate a whole. Functionalists believe that society has grassroots needs, which must be met if it is to continue to exist. It believes the concept of function i.e. the function of the family is to understand out the continuity of society by reproducing and socializing new members and the function of piety is to integrate the social system by reinforcing common value s. Key Names Durkheim, Merton, Murdock, Malinowski and Parsons.FEMINISMThe basic assumption shargond by all feminists is that wo custody arrive certain injustices on account of their sex. Feminist sociology, stresses the importance of gender divisions in society and it portrays these divisions as working to the overall advantage to men. Although feminists atomic number 18 join by their common desire for sexual justice and their concern for womens welf atomic number 18, at that place is actually a wide spectrum of feminisms (Mitchell and Oakley, 1986). These flowerpot be divided into intravenous feeding broad tendencies liberal, radical, Marxist/socialist and Black.STRENGTHSMARXISMCritical of Capitalism. In favour of the honest person in society. Economic base or infrastructure and policy-making/Ideological superstructure. Social Structure (Macro Approach).FUNCTIONALISMFunctional Imperatives Goal Attainment, Adaptation, Integration and Latency. Functional sub-systems Economic , Political, Family and worship.FEMINISMHas done a lot to improve things for women over the years. Focuses on male/ feminine relationships. Looks at laws compulsory/ used to redress male/female power balance (equal legal protection and social rights).WEAKNESSESMARXISMToo some inconsistencies and explanations of Marxs work. Unscientific (the Faith of Marxism Popper). Conspiracy system (especially aimed at instrumental Marxists). communism does non appear about to happen. Forms of (non-stinting) conflict (gender, ethnic group) ignored in favour of economic conflicts. Left Functionalism (Marxism is little more than a var. of Functionalism that replaces the interest of society with ruling class Jock Young). Modern society is more decomposable than Marx predicted. Comparatively dated theories.Critics Popper, Weber, Young (Left Idealism), any late compensate Theorist, Social biologists and Radical Feminists.FUNCTIONALISMFunctionalists find it hard to explain rapid social chan ge. They believe that if something exists it has a function. It has a function because it exists. The persuasion that non-human things like society can thrust human qualities such as needs and purposes. Over-emphasis upon the beneficial aspects of institutions and structures. Believing that society revolves around family unit but non willing to recognise that not all people worldwide belong to a family unit unless function well. Critics Marxist Sociologists, Radical and Marxist Feminists.FEMINISMWomen like working class men are at a fundamental economic disadvantage although Feminists refuse to see that. Legal changes of importly returned middle class women. Legal equality not the same as status equality. Ignores get of social structural factors (e.g. class). Feminism geared towards middle class feminists (Bourgeois). work force are seen as the enemy (Marxist Feminism). Critics Radical Feminists and New Right of Liberal Feminists and New Right, Marxist/Socialist Feminist s of Radical Feminists.STRUCTURAL VIEWS ON RELIGION AND THE FAMILYReligions, families and societies have been around for a very long time. Unsurprisingly, we find family units and religions present in all known societies, and consequently, families and religion have a social impact. Everyone has their own view of what religion and the family consists of. These pre conceived ides are mostly to do with our own backgrounds, finishing and life experiences. There is a lot of disagreement among sociologists about the roles of religion and the family within society we will look at three sociological perspectivesRELIGIONMARXISMIn Marxs view, Man makes religion, religion does not make man. In early(a) words, religion is the self-conscious and the self-feeling of man who has either not found himself or has already lost himself again. Truly liberated individuals have no need of religion. Thus, if the alienation and exploitation associated with the classes are eradicated, and people are freed to farm their human potential and find themselves, as in a rattling socialist society, religion will no longer be needed and will cease to exist.Marx and Engels believed that religion represented a protest against a dehumanising social world and human alienation, it also leads people into false hopes and direction, along with the solutions it promises that are illusory. It obscures and distorts the true nature of candor in ways that benefit the ruling class. Marx anticipated that when a classless society was established, religion would disappear.FUNCTIONALISMWhereas Durkheim sees religion as an expression and celebration of peoples sociality. Religion creates order and stability in society it can be an agent of socialization and create a sense of social solidarity. Malinowski accepted like Durkheim that religion creates social solidarity but he believed that religion is a response to peoples needs during stress (e.g. assume and death). Parsons believed the role of religion serv ed two functions, one to provide guidelines (behaviour in society) and the other is to answer ultimate questions.FEMINISMReligion is seen as an instrument of oppression, as a product of patriarchy rather than a product of capitalism. Religion is used by oppressors (men) to control the oppressed group (women), and it also serves as a way of compensating women for their second-class status. In most typical religions of the conk millennium women are subservient and secondary to men (i.e. Catholic church building and Muslims).THE FAMILYMARXISMThe Marxists popostureion asserts that the nuclear family is not universal but a product of capitalism and that the family is an exploitative institution. Murdocks theory is critised because he didnt consider that other social institutions could have performed the functions and he does not examine other alternatives to the family. In Engels theory he suggested that the main reason that the family developed was to solve the problem of inheritance, also that the family was the most efficient device for insuring legitimacy of the proposed heirs. Engels theory was largely establish on a flawed interpretation of the family by Anthropologist, Lewis Morgan (1900).FUNCTIONALISMA watertight supporter of the family is the Functionalist. Their belief is that the family is the cornerstone of society. A study was conducted on the family, study 250 societies by George Murdock (Social Structure 1949). In his study, he concluded that the nuclear family is a universal human social grouping . It exists as a searching and strongly functional group in every known society. Murdock identifies quadruple basic functions that the family performs sexual, reproductive, economic and educational. Fellow functionalist Talcott Parsons would largely agree with Murdocks theories of the family.FEMINISMFeminists comment the family as the focus on the exploitation of women by men, they argue that men dominate family relationships. Radical feminists argue that in its most extreme form this means oppression and violence (Russell Dobash, 1980). Evidence to suggest that women are disgruntled in their family life is portrayed in the rise of divorces filed by women. Parsons theory of the family being a safe haven is more myth than reality for families today. Feminist Margaret Benson focuses mainly only the point that women are a source of cheap labour, as the housewife is unpaid for her work. In the family women are primarily seen as a housewife and mother, and in this environment men are given the control over womens sexuality and fertility.EVALUATIONThe different aspects of religion have a social impact and must be measured. finished out history there is considerable evidence to support Marxs ideology, that religion maintains the existing system of exploitation and reinforces class relationship, thereby keeping people in their place (consider the Islamic world). However, conflicting evidence suggests that religion does not always legi timate power (Catholicism Pope Rome).Whilst Feminism implies that religion and belief systems are an instrument of manipulation for men to use on women although I believe this theory to be the case for some religions but not all. It can vary from religion to religion, for example women cannot become priests in the papistical Catholic or Greek and Russian Orthodox churches, but in the Jewish faith women can become rabbis and do not sit apart from men. Contrary to Marxist views that religion suppresses people attempts to change their situation, religion can sometimes provide an impetus for change ( faerie Mary Catholicism and Queen Elizabeth I Protestant). The Functionalist perspective of belief systems and religion does not vindicate for the impaired aspects that the unruly force of religion can manifest (i.e. war in the name of Religion).The subject of the family and how it is defined is extremely difficult to determine. Marxists position asserts that the nuclear family is not universal but a product of capitalism and that the family is an exploitatory institution, and that it was the simplest solution for insuring legitimacy of proposed heirs. Whereby Functionalism is a strong supporter of the family, believing it to be the cornerstone of society. Feminists criticise the family as the focus on the exploitation of women by men, they argue that men dominate family relationships.CONCLUSIONEveryone has their own view of what religion and the family consists of. These pre conceived ideas are mostly to do with our own backgrounds, culture and life experiences.I find it difficult to subscribe to one theory over another as Functionalist, Marxist and Feminist theories can be interpreted in some different ways. Consequently each theorys perspective will work for their interpretation of religion, the family and society. The three theories are not too dissimilar to the three main Political Parties (Labour, Conservative and Liberal) in Britain each has its own agen da, but are all are equally as devious I am more inclined to opt for the Feminist and Marxist theories as they appear more plausible and are more comparative to past history and present day findings. I also believe that as societies cultures change through time, so will our definition of family, religion and society.