Discuss the main thrusts of the structural functionalist theory in sociology?

Question

Discuss the main thrusts of the structural functionalist theory in sociology?

Answer 1

what!? whats your question?

Answer 2

Structual functionalists attempt to look at the world through a lense that is tilted towards what holds us together.  They look at why things are they way they are from a point of view that is often very optimistic.  Structural functionalists tend to look at anything and want to see how society is held together by it or how it reflects on society's togetherness.  One of the classic texts on the topic (seemingly contradictorally) is titled Suicide.  It examines suicide rates throughout europe and analyzes the rates based on a number of factors.  The result is a persuasive and powerful argument about what ultimately holds people against performing a very unsocial act (suicide).  These include attachment to prosocial activities, religion, et cetera (it's been a long time since I've read it and I'm not going back to it unless assigned [it's really, really dry]).

For example, structural functionalist perspective on crime would say that crime creates good people (good people can point at the bad and say we are NOT them), creates jobs (police officers, judges, probation officers, jailers, et cetera), and can open markets to goods and services controlled through formal controls (ever smoked a legitimate cuban cigar, sure is good, sure is not supposed to be in the US).

I hope that helps answer your question.  Email me if you want a better explanation/clarification.