Sociological theory?

Question

How might Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism arise in obesity?

What does it have to do with obesity? I don't get it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! =)

Answer 1

Functionalists would argue that obesity is necessary as a part of society. Functionalist's major arguement, after all, is that everything that exists must have a meaning and must be useful towards society as a whole. Perhaps functionalists would argue that by having obese people, we draw attention to problems in health care and obesity might be a key in leaning more about the human psyche, our emotional connection to food and to further explore man's relationship with eating and nourishment.

The obese population might inspire others to be healthier and might inform and educate society as a whole about the dangers of obesity and it's overall impact. Whatever they argue or use to explain obesity, functionalists would say that it is valid and important to society and is better for society as a whole.

Conflict theory is based entirely in power and how those in power do all they can to hold the majority of the population down and to keep them from gaining power, so as to secure their own position. Conflict theorists would say that obesity is a product of the living conditions, stress and poor quality of food and health education that those in power choose and enforce for those that aren't in power.

Conflict theorists might say that those that are in power (those that make laws, those that own companies, etc) willingly set up society so that the cheaper the good is, the more unhealthy it is, and so the poor might only be able to afford cheap, unhealthy bulk food and become susceptible to obesity. Conflict theorists might say that food education might be controlled by larger government forces (like the Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, American Diatetics Association, etc), who look out for their own bottom line and corporate interests from sponsors and lobbyists. They might limit education about food intake and what is healthy and unhealthy, they might suggest certain foods (like milk - I mean, what grown adult needs breast milk?) is healthy purely to cater to the massive dairy industry, which pours billions of dollars of funding into politician's pockets yearly.

Conflict theory might also argue that by having people be obese (and therefore experience discrimination at work, have difficulty in getting raises, difficulty in social life, early death and numerous health complications) might further ensure the status of the powerful few at the top of the food chain. Conflict theorists might say that it keeps people that are emotionally unsound, that don't have the willpower to control their eating, out of the top of the food chain, so to speak. Being obese, after all, pretty much prevents much social mobility and ensures an early death, and limits abilities to procreate and to excel in work, theoretically.

Symbolic interactionism is the small scale sociological perspective among these three. Symbolic interactionism is based on the theory that everything that we experience in society is based upon an exchange of symbols. I think obesity could be most correlated to social ostracization and feeling of ineptness and inability to resist food, for personal and emotional reasons. When you see someone that is fat, you have verbal and nonverbal cues that show you are disgusted by them, which is symbolic interaction with the obese person, who might be triggered to further indulge in their negative habits.

I think symbolic interactionism might explain the way obese people are treated and discriminated against, and how they might feel socially isolated. It also could explain how they have a hard time getting "out there", socializing, finding supportive communities and friends or even getting raises or better jobs. Through the intricate exchange of day to day symbols between people, we might unconsciously exhibit behaviors that dog obese people and push them down, making them feel unworthy or inept. People also look at obesity as a symbol for unhealthiness, unatractiveness, etc - this triggers nothing but disgust and disdain for obese people, but obesity is a symbol in and of itself - our society MAKES us associate those things with obesity. There have been societies on our planet where being a large person means status and power, where it was seen as s**y and desirable. Everything is socially constructed, as is our reaction to obesity, and even the factors that contribute to it.