Theories on Social Inequality from a Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic-Interactionist Points of View

Social inequality refers to the ways in which socially defined categories of persons. Unequal society has a big impact on individuals. There are different ways in how you can discriminate against someone this includes stereotyping. Stereotyping is were an individual is labelled as a certain person, or put into a certain group. For example a group of teenagers on the streets wearing hoodies, people would presume they were out to cause trouble.

The Functionalist theory emphasizes the contributions (functions) that all parts of society (e.g., social institutions) make within society. This theory has contributed to sociology by providing a view “which emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain stability.” (Schafer 2013, pg13)

When the resources in a society are distributed unevenly it leads to social inequality. Often inequality is understood as being socio-economic and it is now closely associated with social inequality. “Social inequalities are differences in income, resources, power and status within and between societies. Such inequalities are maintained by those in powerful positions via institutions and social processes.” (Warwick-Booth, 2013 p.2)

Social Inequality refers to any difference between groups or individuals in society which results in one having inferior life chances than the other. Functionalists believe these inequalities are the result of the meritocracy we live in. This is a system based on the idea that social stratification is necessary and desirable for the society. Functionalists argue that inequalities have a purpose; they are functional for society. Functionalism is a structural theory based on the notion that society is based on shared values. This consensus means that society will be in a state of equilibrium and there is harmony, as a result of which there will be social solidarity.

Conflict theorist have an opposing view, that the inequality seen in society is a result of domination and coercion where those with power, wealth and prestige exploit those without to maintain their standings. They believe that that every person and class are fighting over a limited number of resources and each is competing for an advantage. Wealth inequality is unfair because the elites, those in control of “societal resources” use those resources to perpetuate their own standing by shaping the belief system of society, controlling the distribution of resources, and blocking the mobility and opportunities of the poor. Because the wealth inequality is inherently unfair, conflict theorist argue that the disadvantaged in society should be given support by redirecting the “societal resources” to those in need. [9]

Symbolic Interactionism suggest that humans define situations upon past experiences, and then act on those definitions. The legitimacy of the stratification structure is established and perpetuated through teaching beliefs to the young and enforcing those beliefs. Children are taught that ones place in the stratification

The Functionalist Perspective in sociology states that everyone in the society holds a position and in this position their status has a set of roles or certain behaviors that are required to perform the tasks at hand (Kornblum and Julian, 2004.) The roles consist of nurses at the medical institutions, lawyer's at international firms or just a blue collar worker at any type of factory. For the most part, each status' role is involved in an institution of some kind and is needed for the economy and society to function as a whole. "The Functionalist Perspective looks at the way major social instructions like the family, military, the health-care system, and the police and courts actually operate (Kornblum and Julian, 2004, 6.)" This basically means that for these institutions that are needed to fulfill these roles and duties for the economy, the roles and behaviors of employees need to evolve as a whole so that the institution can function (Kornblum and Julian, 2004.) For example, a nurse needs to know certain things about her job like what medicine can treat a certain

Symbolic Interactionism – Micro level – This involves using symbols. The symbols generally have the same meaning to society, but may not mean the same thing to an individual. For example, a wedding band is a symbol used to show a person is married and it is generally assumed if a person is not wearing a wedding band they are not married or they are trying to hid the fact that they are.

Functionalism is the belief that all aspects in a society serve a function and are necessary for the survival of the of the society, even if the function of a class is to stay in poverty. There are certain groups that benefit when someone is thrown under the bus. It is functional to keep a class in poverty because they benefit people, it is difficult for the people in poverty to move out of poverty, and school funding is not equal for every school.

Begin by identifying yourself on the dimensions commonly associated with social inequalities: social class (income, wealth, (current and intended) education level, occupational prestige (associated with current or planned career), race, ethnicity, and gender. In addition, you might also identify yourself on dimensions associated with less traditional inequalities, such as national origin,, sexual identity or preference, age, weight, able-bodiedness, and so forth. Explain where you fit and how that affects the life chances for you and others like you. Use theoretical concepts and empirical findings from class materials, other relevant research, and archival data sources to describe and analyze

The conflict theory believes that stratification occurs through a conflict between different classes, with the upper classes using superior power to take a larger share of the social resources (Social Stratification, Definition Social Stratification, n.d.). The conflict theorist argues that social stratification causes an inequality in society.

Because the people have the tendency to be ethnocentric, they grouped them self in classes. The Social class is a system of stratification based on access to such sources as wealth, property, power and prestige. We learn from the history that the stratification had existed in all areas of human civilization. It has essentially disproportionately division of property. Because of this inequality is born the conflict between classes. Conflict Theory is defined as a Sociological approach that sees

Functionalism studies society on the macro level, where it views society as a whole entity, where each individual as an aspect of society works together for survival and the continuity of society. To obtain goods and services that are essential for their well-being, money is needed, to get this money

Social inequality is a persistent issue that affects the continuation of poverty and the sustainment of wealth. Poverty and wealth are derived from labels imposed by society dictating status, class and affluence. A vicious cycle, established through the disproportionate availability of opportunities and unequal distribution of resources, beings to erode the family unit, churches and communities. Therefore, social inequality impacts poverty and wealth through labeling, mass incarceration, crime, education and the creation of the working poor.

Perspectives by conflict theorists in sociology suggest that the social, political, or material inequality of a social group, are used as an instrument of oppression. Power is a concept that can be explained by interactions between individuals and groups. The law is an instrument of oppression used to maintain power and privilege(Henslin164) Social inequality can be seen as many different things. The most common would be gender roles or discrimination by social stereotyping. They can also be established through the unjust criminal justice system, health, and education. Inequalities exist between race or religion groups, classes, and even countries, making this a worldwide phenomenon. More often you would see it in the form of racism or segregation. In sociology, classification of people into groups are based on shared social and economic conditions; these three main groups are the capitalist class, working class, and marginal working class. Within these groups are many inequalities. The capitalist class would be considered the wealthy who own companies and buy labor from the working class. Working class are the group that sells their labor. The marginal working class is the most desperate members of society who have little money or skills, most often unemployed or jailed. Because of their struggle with poverty, most end up as prison inmates or repeat offenders.