Choose one of the following social phenomena and use one of the sociological perspectives 2023
Choose one of the following social phenomena and use one of the sociological perspectives to describe it.
Social phenomena: 1. high cost of college tuition
2. gang membership
3. high divorce rate
4. building a wall along the U.S. southern border
Sociological perspectives: 1. functionalism
2. conflict theory
3. interactionist perspective
4. feminist perspective
Example — I’ll explain/describe prostitution from each perspective.
Functionalism: Prostitution creates jobs for law enforcement. It gives otherwise unemployable women a way to support themselves.
Conflict: Prostitutes are typically females controlled by male pimps. Males have power over the prostitutes, their money, and their well-being.
Interactionist: How do you know who is a prostitute? Prostitutes can be identified by their appearance In some cases. The clothes they wear, their make-up and hair, and the way they posture themselves can be signs of their status.
Feminist: Women are exploited by their pimps. They turn over their money and are subject to the pimp. BUT, another feminist version might go like this — Prostitution gives women the freedom to control their own bodies. It can be a means to independence (if there is no male pimp involved).
Okay. Now it’s your turn. Pick one phenomena from the list and one perspective to apply. I expect more than a sentence of two from you!