Conflict Theorist and Functionalist Theories Regarding Causes of Social Problems

1. Explain conflict theorist and functionalist theories regarding causes of social

problems? Who/what are the reasons for these problems? How would each solve these

problems?

a. Functionalists believe that every role we have and every task we do and every social problem in this society serves a function. (Very conservative theory). Social problems serve a purpose in the sense that it serves as a warning. (Ex: Teenage mothers, and then families wouldn't allow their daughters hang out with the teenage mothers; lack of education, so people without a good education are dysfunctional and warns us and makes us want to avoid it).

b. Conflict theorists believe that conflict occurs based on unequal distribution of power, influence, and resources. People aren't able to perform well in this society because it's based on inequality; someone always benefits more than the other or has more resources (power, wealth, influence, etc.).

i. Ex: Within the family, the father has more power and makes more money than the wife. So problem arises because of this unequal distribution. These people feel there needs to be social change to allow for total equality, so they would support same-sex marriage, higher wages for women, and redistribute the wealth.

ii. Born Rich – Jamie Johnson is a good example to talk about).

iii. Wal-Mart: Most employees are part-time so they don't qualify for health benefits.

iv. Ward 9 – Hurricane Katrina: Examples can be all the people from Brian William's documentary

v. Poverty: large people of color of affected and the middle-class; you can use the film about the middle-class that are now homeless.

vi. Friday Night Lights

vii. General public's view on poverty and homelessness

a. They are lazy and alcoholics

b. Individualistic people feel that the poor and homeless are at fault that they are in the position they are

viii. Stratification

a. Definition: Society is based on a ranking system; what do the people at the top have that the people on the bottom don't?

b. Those people at the top are more privileged and powerful than those on the bottom (Forbes Top Richest 400 list).

c. Another example is the people from Midland and Odessa. Midland have several millionaires who are owners of private jets while Odessa are more blue-collar and roughnecks and less educated.

d. Another example would be Jamie Johnson being at the top and