Table of Contents
This is an introduction.
Talking
Structural-Functionalism Perspective:
Symbolic interaction Perspective:
In conclusion
An initial presentation
Sociology is an important aspect that can have a significant impact on both service providers and service users. It is important for social workers to understand clients’ perspectives in order to provide the best possible care. After considering the many theories that have been introduced, it is easier for practitioners to understand the various lenses they can use to evaluate a particular case. Understanding the severity of a situation can help to draft the best possible care plan. In this essay, two sociological perspectives are discussed in detail. These perspectives were paired with a case scenario to help you understand how they can be used in a practical context.
DiscussionThe case study is Ms K. A 35-year old woman, she lives in a community housing scheme and receives services from the Community Social Services. She is pregnant and would like to keep her child. She has a history of neglecting her child. The child, who was placed for adoptive placement, was later adopted. A serious mental illness like schizophrenia was also detected. For social workers to make the best decisions about her care, applying sociological perspectives could be beneficial. In order to better understand the various aspects of the case, two sociological perspectives, one macro-level theory and one micro-level theory, would be used.
Structural-Functionalism Perspective: One of the widely known sociological perspectives is that of structural functionalism. This perspective assumes that individuals are passive, and society is an external force. The process of socialisation was regarded as one-way. The society is reflected positively in the mentioned perspective. All the components are working together and it is recognized as stable. There is also a belief that each and every aspect of social life contributes to society’s survival. If the aspect does not have a significant contribution to survival, it is generally not passed on to future generations.
Simply stated, each society has a set of needs which require multiple actions to be undertaken in order to achieve consistency in the survival. Further development is possible. It is important that a certain administration of the justice initiates an order. In addition, a strong political system is needed to guide participants in a society. The society also needs to meet a variety of other needs. To maintain a social existence, the majority of individuals will be expected to follow an organizational model. According to the above perspective, society is studied at a macro-social scale. The study of the society as a whole and at a large-scale is done. It is believed that social conditioning is what causes people to behave in a particular way.
According to the above explanation, Ms K is a member of society. Her role depends on social models. In her situation, structural perspectives may not be followed. She lives in council housing and receives support from a social worker. Her current situation can be attributed to her social conditioning. We can deduce that her present situation is the result of interactions or lack thereof with other participants in the social sphere. She was not conforming to social norms. You must understand that the social structures are interconnected. It is therefore reasonable to assume that Ms K’s current situation is highly dependent on the economic, educational, and legal structure. One can assume that the economic, legal and educational structures are on the lower end. This has limited Ms K’s access to high quality care. It was evident that due to Ms K’s mental condition and schizophrenia diagnosis, the social structure of a legal system suited for her was used. She was already detained under section 2 Mental Health Act.
This perspective also emphasizes that for a society to remain stable and maintain a system, there must be societal members who are willing to work together. Functionalists acknowledge that social change is predictable. Socialisation is the primary reason why social order can be maintained. Social order relies on norms, values and beliefs that are shared by all members. Durkheim noted, a society will develop a “collective consciousness”. This conscience is what strengthens the bonds between members of a society. Individuals tend to share a common way of thinking. The ascribed social status also influences the role that individuals play in society.
It is possible to see that certain issues are present in the current situation. In her role as a mother to her first child, certain responsibilities were required. As a general rule, the duties required to ensure the overall welfare of a baby are determined by the collective conscience. It is normal for the society to intervene if they do not meet the standard that has been set. Her firstborn child was eventually adopted because she couldn’t fulfill the expectations and take care of her child in an appropriate manner. Moral standards are determined by society. Social disapproval is a result of disruptions in the moral regulations. It was therefore a big deal that her neglect toward her first-born child was disapproved. It is important to note that the social institutions are also concerned about her paranoid schizophrenia. It is likely that she will have a difficult time accessing private services, as her financial situation is weak due to her unemployment and dependence on receipts.
Sociologists distinguish between manifest and latent functions. The manifests are the effects that are widely known and intended. Latent functions are those that are not intended and are usually hidden. It is possible that the same thing could be said about her. According to manifestation, the availability of council flats and receiving benefits are both manifest functions. According to the social structures, she is able to access these services. In her own locality, however, she is pregnant by a man who has been a recent partner. These interactions may be considered latent, as they were not intended and were not widely recognized.
In regards with the structural-functionalism perspective it may be stated that the social interaction of Ms K should be enhanced in order to mould her behaviour accordingly. It is important to teach her the necessary steps and consequences to follow in order to effectively raise a child. Moreover, she must be motivated to overcome her mental disorder so that her child receives the proper care. It is necessary to provide her with additional support if she needs help to cope or meet the needs of her children.
Perspective on Symbolic interaction:In contrast to social functionalism’s broad approach, this perspective focuses primarily on understanding the relationship between people and society. This perspective has as its basic premise that meaningful communication among participants in society is necessary to understand and justify the actions of individuals. Humans are rarely seen as the major players in this perspective. In this way, the interaction between individuals within smaller groups is more important than society in general. Individuals gain an insight into society through interactions with a smaller group. In order to understand characteristics, it is necessary to study the individual and observe their reactions and behavior towards various aspects of their surroundings.
In order to best understand Ms K’s situation and provide her with a plan of care, it is necessary to pay attention to the shared relationships she has with those who are involved. Additionally, you can note her response to symbols and how she accesses the materials. She has a number labels that are related to her current state. You need to know the dynamics of her mind when she reacts in certain situations, such as with her partner, her caregivers or her environment. It is important to understand why she is unemployed and what her limitations are. This will help her care providers understand the psychological state of mind. The interaction between her and others can reflect her psychological condition.
The symbolic interaction theory suggests that individuals interact with aspects or things based on their interpretations. Interpretations and interactions tend to influence the meaning of anything. Social actions are influenced by combining the actions of individuals.
It is possible to observe and analyse many of these aspects in order for you to better understand her deeper perspective. Observing her one-on-1 interaction will also help you to determine if she is willing to share the responsibility for her child with her partner. Counselling can help her determine the impact of her first breakup while she was pregnant. In this way, if she has a past experience that is evaluated appropriately, it will make it easier for her to understand the relationship between symbols. It would then be easier to predict how she will act in certain situations based on the situation. You can, for example, determine if the woman will be able take full care of her child in spite of being diagnosed as having severe mental disorders by evaluating how she interacts and uses symbols.
Numerous sociologists have also claimed that the social interaction is what determines the individual’s sense if identity. You can suggest that the self image is greatly influenced by other individuals and their interactions with specific people. One can say that other people’s perceptions about an individual have a substantial impact on one’s own perception. The person can act accordingly.
The same is true for the case studied above. It’s clear that many labels can be placed on Ms K. Her paranoid schizophrenic illness and the fact she doesn’t have contact with any family members are among them. She is also dependent on the social care system for both her housing and income. She also had a history of neglecting children. A society may assume that, in light of such circumstances, she lacks the required skills to raise a child effectively. The chances are that she will neglect the child if you let her raise it without intervening. One can assume that she will reflect the views of others in society. She may have a hard time coping with the stress. To help her gain a better grip on life, it’s suggested that care providers deal with the woman in a professional manner. They should offer her support and make suggestions. One can assume that her child’s upbringing will be difficult due to deep-seated social inequalities. With the help of healthcare providers, she can manage her child better. To give her a better sense of direction, it is important to ensure that any labels she may have internalised are re-shaped in a positive way.
ConclusionAs a result of the above-mentioned discussion, one can conclude that social workers rely heavily on sociological perspectives when trying to grasp any situation. It can help professionals to make more informed decisions and better understand current situations. While the structural-functionalist theory gives a good idea of the macro-level of society, using symbolic interaction will make it easier to concentrate on the interaction between individuals. It is then possible to develop a care plan that best suits the situation.
