Theories On Social Inequality

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Theories On Social Inequality From A Functionalist, Conflict, And Symbolic-Interactionist Points Of View

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Autor: student77 31 December 2009

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Social inequality is the issue pertaining to the lack of housing, health care, education, employment opportunities, and status. It is the dismissal of people from participation in what we, the members of society distinguish as being valuable, important, socially desirable, and personally worthwhile. There are many different perspectives on social inequality within our society; the three areas I am going to focus on are those of the Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic-Interactionist.

The Functionalist theory believes that society functions so that each individual plays a specific role. Their perspective of social inequality is the belief that "inequality is not only inevitable but also necessary for the smooth functioning of society." (Davis-Moore (1954) p. 214 chapter 8 Society In Our Times: The Essentials) Functionalists believe that all societies have important jobs and tasks that need to be carried out and that certain positions must be filled to do so. Functionalists also think that in order to attract people to both the important and less important roles there must be a variation in rewards that will motivate individuals to make the effort needed to gain the top positions within society, and that positions are rewarded based on the individuals abilities and credentials known as meritocracy. It appears that the view of social inequality as it would to the Functionalist perspec...