Functionalists Flashcards
(12 cards)
Parsons - class
stratification is based on value consensus, and social mobility is achievable based on personal merit.
Evidence - Allan sugar from a w/c background now a multi millionaire.
Davis and Moore - class
stratification is universal and necessary for the function of society.
Parsons - age
The elderly become less physically able and can no longer for fill their roles especially in the world of work.
Evidence - the percentage of those aged 65 and over who are in work, as of 2023 was 30%.
Cummings and Henry - age
believe in the managed disengagement of elderly people into different roles like childcare in later life.
Parsons - work life (gender)
women are more likely to abandon or interrupt their careers ( having children ) and are thus less attractive to employers.
Evidence = 19% of women left work permanently after having children in 2023.
Tumin - A03 Criticsms of parsons and class
claims that the most highly rewarded positions are not the most important.
social stratification can act as an obsticle.
A03 criticisms of disengagement theory and age.
Some elderly people do not wish to disengage from society.
Evidence = more than 50 companies in the UK pledge to involve more age friendly schemes to support older workers.
Hockey and James argue that the role of the elderly is constructed from society rather than disengagement.
Oakley - A03 of gender
gender roles are constructed and not down to biological abilities.
AO3 of class, Marxism
Suggest that the relationship between the classes is not universal but conflicting and hostile.
Evidence for age
Those who are over the age of 50 are 60% more likely to be out of work.
Murdock - gender
If women remain in the home, then they will not experience work based inequality, as that is were they are most naturally suited.
A03 of gender
women will still experience inequality, instead it will be focused in the home.
Evidence = domestic abuse, every 1 in 4 women has experienced some form of domestic violence in their life time.
Furthermore, women who do work now experience a ‘duel burden’ as they are responsible for domestic work and their careers.
