- Describe the differences between single parents, cohabitation, same-sex couples, and unmarried individuals. Who are some famous (or infamous) people that can be used as examples for each of these categories?
- What are some conclusions one can draw from the fact that there is a growing single population?
- Explain how Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim view religion. How are their views similar? How are they different?
- What are some manifest and latent functions of education? Provide examples.
- How would a conflict theorist evaluate education in American public schools? How might this affect factors contributing to the dropout rate for high school students?
- Define and differentiate between power, authority, and different types of authority. Provide examples.
- Describe the current United States' workforce and the trend of polarization. What are some examples in which we are seeing these trends occur?
Unit 4 Discussion
Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim, influential sociologists, had distinct perspectives on religion, though they shared some commonalities.
Karl Marx's View on Religion:
Marx viewed religion through the lens of social conflict and economic structures. He famously referred to religion as the "opium of the people," suggesting that it served as a means of soothing and distracting individuals from the hardships of their social and economic conditions. Marx believed that religion, particularly organized religion, played a role in maintaining the status quo by promoting false consciousness – a distorted view of reality that favored the ruling class. He argued that religious beliefs and institutions contributed to the perpetuation of social inequality and served as a tool for the ruling class to control the working class.
Emile Durkheim's View on Religion:
Durkheim, on the other hand, approached religion from a functionalist perspective. He saw religion as a fundamental aspect of social cohesion and integration. Durkheim argued that religious rituals and beliefs reinforced the collective conscience, providing a sense of shared values and norms within a society. He emphasized the role of religion in promoting social solidarity and maintaining social order. For Durkheim, religion was a force that contributed to the stability and coherence of a community.
Similarities:
- Both Marx and Durkheim acknowledged the significant impact of religion on society.
- They recognized that religious beliefs and practices played a role in shaping individuals' behavior and influencing social structures.
- Both sociologists explored how religion could contribute to social stability, albeit from different perspectives.
Differences:
- Marx focused on the divisive and alienating aspects of religion, arguing that it perpetuated social inequality. In contrast, Durkheim emphasized the integrative and unifying functions of religion.
- Marx saw religion as a tool used by the ruling class to maintain control and suppress dissent, while Durkheim saw it as a mechanism for fostering social solidarity.
- Marx's analysis of religion was deeply rooted in his critique of capitalism, considering it a byproduct of economic structures. Durkheim's approach was more concerned with the functional role of religion in maintaining social order.
In summary, while both Marx and Durkheim recognized the significance of religion in society, their perspectives differed in terms of the role they ascribed to religion and its impact on social dynamics. Marx's view was marked by conflict and class struggle, whereas Durkheim's approach was rooted in the functional integration of religion into the social fabric.
1. Differences between Single Parents, Cohabitation, Same-Sex Couples, and Unmarried Individuals:
Single Parents: Individuals raising children on their own without a partner or spouse. Example: Sandra Bullock.
Cohabitation: Unmarried couples living together. Example: Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.
Same-Sex Couples: Romantic partnerships between individuals of the same gender. Example: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.
Unmarried Individuals: People who are not legally married. Example: Oprah Winfrey.
2. Conclusions from the Growing Single Population:
Changing societal norms and acceptance of diverse family structures.
Economic factors and the delay of marriage for career or personal reasons.
The importance of recognizing and supporting diverse family arrangements.
3. Marx and Durkheim's Views on Religion:
Similarities: Both saw religion as a social institution that serves to maintain social order.
Differences: Marx viewed religion as an ideological tool to maintain the status quo and control the working class. Durkheim saw religion as a unifying force that reinforces social solidarity.
4. Manifest and Latent Functions of Education:
Manifest Functions: Intended and recognized purposes of education, such as transmitting knowledge and preparing students for the workforce.
Latent Functions: Unintended or less recognized functions, like socializing students, providing a sense of belonging, and sorting individuals into social roles.
5. Conflict Theorist's Evaluation of Education:
Education perpetuates social inequalities by reinforcing existing power structures.
The curriculum may favor the dominant culture, maintaining social stratification.
The conflict theorist would highlight disparities in educational resources and opportunities.
6. Power, Authority, and Types of Authority:
Power: The ability to influence or control others.
Authority: Legitimate power recognized by those being influenced.
Types of Authority: Traditional (based on custom), charismatic (based on personal charm), legal-rational (based on legal rules and roles).
7. Current U.S. Workforce and Polarization:
Trend of Polarization: Growing income inequality and a division between high-skill, high-wage jobs and low-skill, low-wage jobs.
Examples: Increased automation affecting certain industries, gig economy jobs, and the decline of middle-skill jobs.
Single Parents: Individuals raising children on their own without a partner or spouse. Example: Sandra Bullock.
Cohabitation: Unmarried couples living together. Example: Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.
Same-Sex Couples: Romantic partnerships between individuals of the same gender. Example: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.
Unmarried Individuals: People who are not legally married. Example: Oprah Winfrey.
2. Conclusions from the Growing Single Population:
Changing societal norms and acceptance of diverse family structures.
Economic factors and the delay of marriage for career or personal reasons.
The importance of recognizing and supporting diverse family arrangements.
3. Marx and Durkheim's Views on Religion:
Similarities: Both saw religion as a social institution that serves to maintain social order.
Differences: Marx viewed religion as an ideological tool to maintain the status quo and control the working class. Durkheim saw religion as a unifying force that reinforces social solidarity.
4. Manifest and Latent Functions of Education:
Manifest Functions: Intended and recognized purposes of education, such as transmitting knowledge and preparing students for the workforce.
Latent Functions: Unintended or less recognized functions, like socializing students, providing a sense of belonging, and sorting individuals into social roles.
5. Conflict Theorist's Evaluation of Education:
Education perpetuates social inequalities by reinforcing existing power structures.
The curriculum may favor the dominant culture, maintaining social stratification.
The conflict theorist would highlight disparities in educational resources and opportunities.
6. Power, Authority, and Types of Authority:
Power: The ability to influence or control others.
Authority: Legitimate power recognized by those being influenced.
Types of Authority: Traditional (based on custom), charismatic (based on personal charm), legal-rational (based on legal rules and roles).
7. Current U.S. Workforce and Polarization:
Trend of Polarization: Growing income inequality and a division between high-skill, high-wage jobs and low-skill, low-wage jobs.
Examples: Increased automation affecting certain industries, gig economy jobs, and the decline of middle-skill jobs.
The differences between single parents, cohabitation, same-sex couples, and unmarried individuals are reflected in varying family structures and relationship dynamics. Famous examples of individuals within these categories include:
- Single parents: Notable single parents such as actress Sandra Bullock, singer Adele, and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who raised their children without a partner.
- Cohabitation: Well-known cohabiting couples like actors Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell and Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard who live together without being married.
- Same-sex couples: Prominent same-sex couples such as Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi, Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka, and Elton John & David Furnish, who are romantic partners of the same gender.
- Unmarried individuals: Recognizable unmarried individuals like Oprah Winfrey, Diane Keaton, and Leonardo DiCaprio who have not entered into legally recognized marriages.
The growing single population leads to several conclusions, including shifts in social norms, delayed marriage and childbirth, increased economic independence, changes in household dynamics, social implications for welfare and healthcare systems, and market opportunities tailored to preferences of singles.
Manifest functions of education are the intended and visible outcomes, including acquiring knowledge and skills, socialization, and workforce preparation. On the other hand, latent functions of education, the unintended and hidden outcomes, may include reinforcing social inequalities, promoting conformity, and providing a sense of community.
From a conflict theorist's perspective, education in American public schools perpetuates existing social inequalities and power dynamics, leading to disparities in resource distribution, hidden curriculum reinforcing dominant social norms, and tracking and labeling that marginalizes certain student populations and contributes to dropout rates.
The current US workforce experiences a trend of polarization characterized by a growing divide between high-skilled, high-paying jobs and low-skilled, low-paying jobs. Examples of this trend include the rise of the gig economy, automation displacing middle-skilled jobs, growth in high-skilled sectors, decline of unions, and growing income inequality.
Power is the ability to influence others, while authority is the legitimacy to exercise power. Max Weber identified three types of authority: traditional, based on customs and beliefs; legal-rational, established through laws and rules; and charismatic, relying on personal qualities.
- Single parents: Notable single parents such as actress Sandra Bullock, singer Adele, and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who raised their children without a partner.
- Cohabitation: Well-known cohabiting couples like actors Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell and Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard who live together without being married.
- Same-sex couples: Prominent same-sex couples such as Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi, Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka, and Elton John & David Furnish, who are romantic partners of the same gender.
- Unmarried individuals: Recognizable unmarried individuals like Oprah Winfrey, Diane Keaton, and Leonardo DiCaprio who have not entered into legally recognized marriages.
The growing single population leads to several conclusions, including shifts in social norms, delayed marriage and childbirth, increased economic independence, changes in household dynamics, social implications for welfare and healthcare systems, and market opportunities tailored to preferences of singles.
Manifest functions of education are the intended and visible outcomes, including acquiring knowledge and skills, socialization, and workforce preparation. On the other hand, latent functions of education, the unintended and hidden outcomes, may include reinforcing social inequalities, promoting conformity, and providing a sense of community.
From a conflict theorist's perspective, education in American public schools perpetuates existing social inequalities and power dynamics, leading to disparities in resource distribution, hidden curriculum reinforcing dominant social norms, and tracking and labeling that marginalizes certain student populations and contributes to dropout rates.
The current US workforce experiences a trend of polarization characterized by a growing divide between high-skilled, high-paying jobs and low-skilled, low-paying jobs. Examples of this trend include the rise of the gig economy, automation displacing middle-skilled jobs, growth in high-skilled sectors, decline of unions, and growing income inequality.
Power is the ability to influence others, while authority is the legitimacy to exercise power. Max Weber identified three types of authority: traditional, based on customs and beliefs; legal-rational, established through laws and rules; and charismatic, relying on personal qualities.
1. Differences between single parents, cohabitation, same-sex couples, and unmarried individuals:
Single parents are individuals who are raising a child or children without a spouse or partner. Examples include Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cohabitation refers to an unmarried couple living together in a romantic relationship. Examples include Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, and Elton John and David Furnish.
Same-sex couples are two individuals of the same gender who are in a committed romantic relationship. Examples include Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, and Elton John and David Furnish.
Unmarried individuals are adults who are not in a committed romantic relationship and are not raising children. Examples include Oprah Winfrey, Condoleezza Rice, and George Clooney.
2. Conclusions from the growing single population:
- Increased independence and autonomy for individuals
- Delayed or reduced marriage and childbearing
- Changing societal norms and attitudes towards traditional family structures
- Potential challenges in areas like financial security and social support
3. Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim's views on religion:
Similarities:
- Both viewed religion as a social phenomenon that serves important functions for society.
- Both saw religion as a reflection of the underlying social and economic conditions.
Differences:
- Marx saw religion as a tool used by the ruling class to maintain power and control over the masses, while Durkheim viewed religion as a means of social cohesion and integration.
- Marx's perspective was more critical and focused on the role of religion in perpetuating social inequality, while Durkheim's approach was more functionalist and emphasized the positive role of religion in society.
4. Manifest and latent functions of education:
Manifest functions:
- Imparting knowledge and skills
- Preparing individuals for the workforce
- Promoting social mobility
- Socializing individuals into societal norms and values
Latent functions:
- Maintaining social stratification
- Reinforcing existing power structures
- Providing a space for socialization and peer interactions
- Serving as a mechanism for social control
5. Conflict theorist's evaluation of education in American public schools:
- Conflict theorists would likely argue that the education system in the United States perpetuates social inequality and serves the interests of the dominant social classes.
- They might point to factors like unequal funding, tracking, and the disproportionate representation of marginalized groups in lower-performing schools as evidence of the education system's role in maintaining existing power structures.
- This perspective could contribute to factors like the dropout rate, as students from disadvantaged backgrounds may feel that the education system is not designed to serve their needs or provide them with meaningful opportunities for social mobility.
6. Power, authority, and types of authority:
Power is the ability to influence or control the behavior of others, even against their will.
Authority is the legitimate power that individuals or institutions have over others.
Types of authority:
- Traditional authority: Based on long-established customs and beliefs, such as the authority of a monarch or religious leader.
- Charismatic authority: Based on the personal qualities and appeal of an individual, such as a political or religious leader.
- Legal-rational authority: Based on the impersonal rules and procedures of an organization, such as the authority of a government official or bureaucrat.
Examples:
- Traditional authority: The British monarchy
- Charismatic authority: Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi
- Legal-rational authority: Judges, police officers, government administrators
7. Trends in the United States' workforce and polarization:
The current U.S. workforce is experiencing a trend of polarization, with growth in both high-skilled, high-wage jobs and low-skilled, low-wage jobs, while middle-skilled, middle-wage jobs are declining.
Examples of this polarization:
- Growth in high-skilled, high-wage jobs in fields like technology, finance, and healthcare.
- Expansion of low-skilled, low-wage jobs in sectors like retail, hospitality, and food service.
- Decline of middle-skilled, middle-wage jobs in manufacturing, clerical work, and other routine occupations.
This trend has contributed to increasing income inequality, as the benefits of economic growth have been unevenly distributed, with the highest and lowest earners seeing the most gains.
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology – Unit 4 Institutions Discussion Forum 4
By Elvia Luisa Guerra
There are several family type variations, or how people’s relationships came out to be in the modern life definition of family and households. For the majority, family (a.k.a. nuclear family) will be the traditional model with a father, mother, children, and even a pet cohabitating together in the same house even though parents may be biological or adoptive (stepparent) in other cases. Nevertheless, for many other people, family will be composed by the members that life circumstances or personal decisions allowed for them. Single parents are those whose children live with just one of the parents, be it the mother or the father. In some cases, the father or the mother cohabitates with a new partner or boy/girlfriend while in other cases, the single parent is the only paternal figure where the parent is widowed or divorced and not remarried. Example can be Italian/American pop singer Madonna who was raised by only her dad (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.).
Cohabitation has become increasingly popular among people in the modern times with evolution of the economy and access to education. Cohabitation means a man and a woman sharing the same house and sexual relationships with unmarried individuals. Cohabitation can offer the benefit of sharing cost of living, saving money, and spending more time together. Many forms of family structure have emerged from cohabitation. Examples can be American actress Goldie Hawn and so American actor Kurt Russell. Same-sex couples, for instance, are couples where the two members are of the same sex and have moved together more often in states where same sex-couples are allowed. A 25% of these couples are spouses or married and 43% are raising children from a previous heterosexual relationship. Example can be U.S. politician Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg who is married to teacher, writer, and LGBTQI+ activist Chasten James Glezman Buttigieg (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.).
It can be concluded that the fact of single population growing obeys to increased levels of and availability to education which seems to be related to desire of independence. Another reason is men that haven’t found the right person or women that are more scrutinized. Regardless of having same-sex gender identity or being straight, getting married or moving together with someone can be subject to several factors such as religious beliefs, cultural expectations, and preferences, so ultimately, remaining single is a lifestyle for many (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.).
Founding thinkers of modern sociology’s perspectives that German sociologist Karl Marx, and his French colleague Èmile Durkheim had about religion during the European industrialization and secularization in the nineteenth century might vary. Èmile Durkheim was the first to analyze impact of religion in society. Religion for Durkheim meant the unified beliefs and practices regarding sacred things. The concept of sacred depicted extraordinary or divine things. Because Durkheim thought that religion happened in society, he thought it was about community. Therefore, Durkheim thought religion was good because kept people together, promoted consistent behaviors, and served as a strong source of strength in tragedies. Religion for Durkheim is an important and powerful conjunction of values that helped with social control and stability (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.b).
Karl Marx, on another hand, associated religion with social stratification, which perpetuates inequality and the status quo in the capitalist economy. For Marx, religion was strongly related to the economy, and could not exist without it. The phrase of Karl Marx religion is the opium of the people, referred to religion as a type of drug that kept the working-class (a.k.a. proletariat) compliant while restating the bourgeoisie (the owners of the means of production). So, while both Karl Marx and Èmile Durkheim believed religion was a factor that occurred in society, their points of view about religion and its utility strongly differed (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.b).
Griffiths & Keirns (n.d.c), define education as the public or private social institution which main goal are to teach society’s children learning skills, academic knowledge, and social norms (a.k.a. cultural transmission). The functions of education can be more easily described from the functionalist sociological theory’s point of view. Functionalists believe in the mission of education to enable people to perform different roles in society hence becoming one of the most important institutions. This theory contends that education has two types of functions: manifest functions and latent functions. Manifest functions are three: (1) socialization that teaches how to get along with others, learn the overall rules and norms of the society, and prepare themselves for adult economic roles. (2) transmission of the nation’s core values, that teaches social control, conformity to the law, and respect for authorities. It also prepares to enter the workplace. And (3) social placement that teaches the students a greater vision to use studies as a via to aspire to financial freedom and upward social mobility. Example of manifest functions is a kid that enters the school and learn to do the line with his classmates to enter the classroom, comply with schedules, do homework, raise his hands to speak, become a member of the baseball team, respect the different rules in his baseball team and coach, and teachers at school as well, sing the national hymn, and find out about independence heroes and national holidays as well (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.c).
Latent functions encompass (1) courtship that involves the formation of personal relationships like dating and introduction to social networks (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook) that facilitates finding jobs and finding out about social issues. (2) teamwork or the ability to work with others in small groups. And (3) social integration and political advocacy. Example of latent functions is a student in high school that starts dating a girl from his class, creates an account on Facebook to chat with her. On Facebook, learns about censorship and become a member of a social movement for freedom of expression online, and after graduating from college creates an account on LinkedIn and becomes an intern using the information from an ad on that social network (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.c).
Conflict theorists would evaluate education in an American school by focusing on ethnic, social class, and gender inequalities. Conflict theorists would emphasize how these inequalities contribute to perpetuating social stratification and the education system help to preserve that status quo. Additionally, it would point out the fact that lower class students are taught at schools to learn slavery and servitude while social class determines the type of opportunities regardless of great intellectual coefficient (IQ). Furthermore, that the education system helps to social status reproduction because schedules, school programs, budgets, and other factors are unequally allocated in accordance with poor areas and more privileged sectors creating an environment that encourages dropout rates from high school for the least privileged (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.c).
On another note, in the political and governmental scope, German sociologist Max Weber described power as the ability to exercise one's will over others be it by positive leadership and charisma, and social movements, or by imposition with the implementation of force and violence. Power is not restrained to one specific region or nation, but it leads to the wants of most powerful ones to control others. Authority, on another hand, is defined by Griffiths & Keirns, (n.d.d) as the power that people agree and accept to follow. Authority can be categorized in traditional, charismatic, or legal-rational authority. Traditional authority is accepted because of a long history of being occurring, something like a historical pattern that no one dares to question outside of the box. This pattern is commonly transmitted through cultural practices from the previous generation to the following. Traditional authority depends on groups’ respect. Example can be a monarchy where people is used to respect and honor the authority of the monarch.
Charismatic authority is accepted because of the leadership of a main figure. Effective leaders can attract their audience with skillful speech, thoughts, and insights. Effective leaders are not necessarily for the good of people. Instead, their ability to catch the attention and feelings of the audience depends in their charismatic ability to convince the audience about the accuracy of their points of view and make them follow and help to achieve the same goal. Example can be Commander Hugo Chávez from Venezuela who convinced and won the approval of the majority of the population by speaking of justice to the poor, and nationalized millions of immigrants to win elections democratically in 2000, even though his plan was to lead the country to a communist government afterwards. Legal-rational authority is accepted because it has been established in written form or as a code of conduct to a specific group. Examples can be the Constitution that applies to different governments in countries or religions that are aligned to and work with the government purposes like the Roman Catholic (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.d).
The workforce in the United States of America is broad in opportunities and diversity of labor. The U.S.A. is known for being the land of the opportunities and the so-called American dream for migrants. With globalization and advances in technology in transportation and communication, this has been even improved. Americans outsource foreign cheaper labor hand, implement automation and customization as a tool to save money and replace human hires and reduce the percentage of errors, use the internet to offer services and remote jobs that allow workers to fulfill their functions from home or whatever location across the country or even globally. Nonetheless, a phenomenon of polarization has emerged from these advances and the rapid creation and evolution of information along with education skills in the most complex tasks (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.e).
Consequently, a gap has developed in the job market with extremes that depict in one side those that have the lowest employment (production of goods and manufacturing hand) opportunities and those that are in the other side with the highest levels of opportunities (high tech, engineers, educated professionals). The middle level education skill workers, therefore, remain in the gap with less job opportunities such as farmers that are increasingly replaced by machinery and workers require training in new skills, therefore lacking opportunities. Another trend that is observed in the U.S.A. market is the result of improved and more available quality education. More and more people are getting not only associate and bachelor’s degrees, but are encouraged to get masters and doctorates, making job hunting for new professionals fiercer due to higher levels of competition (Griffiths & Keirns, n.d.e).
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References:
Griffiths, H. & Keirns, N. (n.d.). Chapter 14 Introduction to marriage and family. Heather Griffiths and Nathan Keirns for OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/14-introduction-to-marriage-and-family
Griffiths, H. & Keirns, N. (n.d.b). Chapter 15 Introduction to religion. Heather Griffiths and Nathan Keirns for OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/15-introduction-to-religion
Griffiths, H. & Keirns, N. (n.d.c). Chapter 16 Introduction to education. Heather Griffiths and Nathan Keirns for OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/16-introduction-to-education
Griffiths, H. & Keirns, N. (n.d.d). Chapter 17 Introduction to government and politics. Heather Griffiths and Nathan Keirns for OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/17-introduction-to-government-and-politics
Griffiths, H. & Keirns, N. (n.d.e). Work in the United States. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/