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FAMILY: THEORECTICAL VIEWS
Vernell Brooks
SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
Instructor: Diane Meza
January 23, 2012 I. Introduction: A. In Sociology, there are many perspectives or theories each with their own view on issues. The perspectives or theories that are more popular are functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism. Each analyzes a topic with different approaches and has different outcomes. In this paper I will examine the views, approach, and societal effects that functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism have about the family structure. II. Sociological Perspectives: A. Functionalism B. Conflict C. Symbolic Interactionism III. Family: A. Functionalist perspective B. Conflict perspective C. Symbolic Interaction perspective D. Similarities and differences IV. Types of Families A. Nuclear Family B. Single hood- Mother or Father C. Step-families D. Societal effects V. Conclusion: A. Family is any group of individuals connected either biologically, emotionally, or legally. Family is not a social organization to dominate one group by the other. To functionalist, family is a component of society performing a key role in the socialization of children and many other tasks. However, conflict theorist view family not as a functional part of society but as a smaller class in society where one group oppresses the other. From a symbolic interactionist standpoint, family is a social group that allows individuals to develop both a concept of self and their identities through social interactions. Although each perspective has certain views that I agree with, functionalism is the one that best describes what I believe about family. Parents have to teach their children in a particular way so that they become healthy members of society.

In Sociology, there are many perspectives

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