Society

A Thought

By Lucas Michael Roberts Re: sociological perspective

Ever wonder where ideas come from? I often hear people talking about individuals of other races, genders, sexual orientation, or other defining aspects of some ones life in a negative, they are weird, kind of way. In a moment or two, our sociological perspective can change, and we might not even know it. Many a times I have wondered at the shy, timid kid in the hall ways, or the out going, middle-age man, or the wandering homeless on the streets of Hamilton, or the Gypsy in the streets of Paris. What are they thinking? Are they conscious of their emotional and sociological perspective? Do they think of me; the white, middle-class, Canadian small town boy?
There are some major sociological theories that look at issues from different sociological perspectives: often these theories have very different outcomes. I look at the structural-functioning theory. I understand this theory as a factory of inter-related machines (individuals and institutions) that work together to create a society. That society then works within a larger culture to mould countries together with governing powers that communicate, allowing the world to become one functioning structure. This system works well, as long as all the parts, both micro and macro, are stable and orderly.
Second we have the social-conflict perspective. This one focuses more on the inequality of society and its conflicts and changes throughout history and into the future. I see the world as constantly changing, but I would find it hard to believe that there will never be a certain peace, and that, as the conflict theorists believe, there will always be conflict amidst varying cultures as they work together and against each other.
Social dysfunction is a large part of this perspective and society is filled with items that disrupt the intended goal. On the bright side, I understand that conflict will always arise, and in the eyes of conflict theorists, the goal is to use anti-oppressive practices in order to limit those stigmatisms that have a tight hold on marginalized individuals. Du Boise was a major contributor to the idea of the social-conflict theory and made considerable headway with anti-racist society.
Thirdly, we see Symbolic-interaction. This theory is based on all the interactions of individuals within a society on a day-to-day basis. Max Weber is one of the man founders of this approach. For me, I think I would be a symbolic interactionist. I am constantly thinking about my interactions with others, and whenever I have the chance, I watch individuals interact. It’s a game I play with life.
Just a thought,

Lucas Michael Roberts