Theoretical Perspectives Essay Example

Theoretical Perspectives Paper Theoretical Perspectives The three main theoretical perspectives in sociologystructural-functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionismoffer insights into the nature, causes, and consequences of poverty and economic inequality. Structural-Functionalist Perspective According to the structural-functionalist perspective, poverty and economic inequality serve a number of positive functions for society. Decades ago, Davis and Moore (1945) argued that because the various occupational roles in society require different levels of ability, expertise, and knowledge, an unequal economic reward system helps to assure that the person who performs a particular role is the most qualified. As people acquire certain levels of expertise (e. g. , B. A. , M. A. , Ph. D. , M. D. ), they are progressively rewarded. Such a system, argued Davis and Moore (1945), motivates people to achieve by offering higher rewards for higher achievements. If physicians were not offered high salaries, for example, who would want to endure the arduous years of medical training and long, stressful hours at a hospital? The structural-functionalist view of poverty suggest that a certain amount of poverty has positive functions for society. Although poor people are often viewed as a burden to society, having a pool of low-paid, impoverished workers ensures that there will be people willing to do dirty, dangerous, and difficult work that others refuse to do. We will write a custom essay sample on Theoretical Perspectives specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Theoretical Perspectives specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Theoretical Perspectives specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Poverty also provides employment for those who work in the poverty industry (such as welfare workers) and supplies a market for inferior goods such as older, dilapidated homes and automobiles (Gans, 1972). The structural-functionalist view of poverty and economic inequality has received a great deal of criticism from contemporary sociologists, who point out that many important occupational roles (such as child care workers) are poorly paid, whereas many individuals in nonessential roles (such as professional sports stars and entertainers) earn astronomical sums of money. Functionalism also accepts poverty as a necessary evil and ignores the roles of inheritance in the distribution of rewards. Conflict Perspective Conflict theorists regard economic inequality as resulting from the domination of the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) over the proletariat (workers). The bourgeoisie accumulate wealth as they profit from the labor of the proletariat, who earn wages far below the earnings of the bourgeoisie. The U. S. ducational institution further the ideals of capitalism by perpetuating the belief in equal opportunity, the American Dream, and the value of the work ethic. The proletariat, dependent on the capitalistic system, continue to be exploited by the wealthy and accept the belief that poverty is a consequence of personal failure rather than a flawed economic structure. Conflict theorists pay attention to how laws and policies benefit the wealthy and contribute to the gap between the have and the have not. Laws and policies that favor the richsometimes referred to as wealthfare or corporate welfareinclude low-interest government loans to failing businesses, special subsidies and tax breaks to corporations, and other laws and policies can deduct up to $1 million in mortgage interest. Lowering this ceiling to $250,000 would affect the wealthiest 5 percent of Americans, but would save taxpayers $10 billion a year (reported in Albelda Tilly, 1997). A 1998 Time magazine series of special reports on corporate welfare programs gave national visibility on the issue. In one report, Time revealed that between 1990 and 1997, Seaboard Corporation, an agribusiness corporate giant, received at least $150 million in economic incentives from federal, state, and local governments to build and staff poultry- and hog-processing plants in the United States, support its operations in foreign countries, and sell its products (Barlett Steele, 1998). Taxpayers picked up the tab not just for the corporate welfare, but also for the costs of new classrooms and teachers (for schooling the children of Seaboards employees, many of whom are immigrants), homelessness (due to the inability of Seaboards low-paid employees to afford housing), and dwindling property values resulting from smells of hog waste and rotting hog carcasses in areas surrounding Seaboards hog plants. Meanwhile, wealthy investors in Seaboard have earned millions in increased stock values. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Symbolic interactionism focuses on how meanings, labels, and definitions affect and are affected by social life. This view calls attention to ways in which wealth and poverty are defined and the consequences of being labeled as poor. Individuals who are viewed as poorespecially those receiving public assistance (i. e. , welfare)are often stigmatized as lazy; irresponsible; and lacking in abilities, motivation, and moral values. Wealthy individuals, on the other hand, tend to be viewed as capable, motivated, hard-working, and deserving of their wealth. Definitions of wealth and poverty vary across societies and across time. For example, the Dinka are the largest ethnic group in the sub-Sahara African country of Sudan. By global standards, the Dinka are among the poorest of the poor, being among the least modernized people of the world. In the Dinka culture, wealth is measured in large part according to how many cattle a person owns. But, to the Dinka, cattle have a social, mortal, and spiritual value as an an economic value. In Dinka culture, a man pays an average bridewealth of 50 cows to the family of his bride. Thus, men use cattle to obtain a wife to beget children, especially sons, to ensure continuity of their ancestral lineage and, according to Dinka religious beliefs, their linkage with God. Although modernized populations might label the Dinka as poor, the Dinka view themselves as wealthy. As one Dinka elder explained, It is for cattle that we are admired, we, the Dinka All over the world, people look to us because of cattle ecause of our great wealth; and our wealth is cattle (Deng, 1998, p. 107). Deng (1998) notes that many African people who are poor by U. S. standards resist being labeld as poor. The symbolic interactionist perspective emphasizes that norms, values, and beliefs are learned through social interaction. Social interaction also influences the development of ones self-concept. Lewis (1966) argued that, over time, the poor develop norms, values, and beliefs and self-concepts that contribute to their own plight. According to Lewis, the culture of poverty is characterized by female-centered households, an emphasis on gratification in the present rather than in the future, and a relative lack of participation in societys major institutions. The people of the culture of poverty have a strong feeling of marginality, of helplessness, of dependency, of not belonging Along with this feeling of powerlessness is a widespread feeling of inferiority, of personal unworthiness (Lewis, 1998, p. ). Early sexual activity, early marriage, and unmarried parenthood are considered normal and acceptable among individuals living in a culture of poverty. Certain groups, according to this view, remain poor over time as the culture of poverty is transmitted from one generation to the next. Critics of the culture of poverty approach argue that it blames the victim rather than the structure of society for poverty, justifies the status quo, and perpetuates inequality (Ryan, 19

Difference in perspective Essay Example

Difference in perspective Essay Example Difference in perspective Essay Difference in perspective Essay Every day is a new day with some changes in the world. There is always a difference between yesterday and tomorrow. People thought changes were because of the environment. Due to changes in throughout life there has been an ever-widening gap between the older generation the younger generation. New generations follow a different style of thinking and behavior than the previous generation. Today, the generation from Grandparents to Grandchildren has changed significantly. There was a time in the grandparent generation where seeing a pregnant teenager in High School was not a usual scene, but today it is typical. There is a noticeable cultural gap between the grandparents to grandchildren generation. Years back there were lots of traditions that were consistently adhered to. People believed a multitude of different beliefs. Older generations still whole heartily believe in them, but the new generation wants to make their own moves. They dont like to believe anything that they havent seen. They dont like to be unfair. When it comes to expressing their feelings they dont like to think about it twice. In the poem Grand father at the Indian Health clinic It was written, At my insistence he wears his denim cowboy coat high n his neck; averse to / an unceremonious world, he follows me through / hallways pushing down the easy rage he always has / with me, a youngest child, and smiles, The author describes how the grandfather Is over protective about his grand daughter just because she is female and she is young. He makes her walk in front of him so he can keep his eyes on her. She is from a new generation, with new social norms, so she feels uncomfortable. Only because she respects him, she doesnt refuse him. The older generation does not allow women or children to talk in front of them. Thats why she was little bit of afraid to talk back to her grand father. In the essay Inspired Eccentricity, there is age difference between grand parents and their grand daughter, but there was no generation gap (peg 420 Hooks). The grand daughter actually asked questions to her grand parents and they replied to her politely. It was pure blasphemy for baby to teach that It did not matter what other folks thought, way have to be right with weasel In way own heart- thats all the matters, (peg. 423 Hooks) these lines show that her grand parents were committed to individualism. They taught her how to be strong. Her grandparents were utterly different. Even though they were from an older generation, their mentality was modernized. Her grand mother was a woman of power. *She was the man of the house, where as in that generation women were usually just house wives and not allowed to talk. She was a woman of her word, passing that trait onto her granddaughter. Her grandmother inspired her. She encouraged her to be a strong woman. Her grandfather taught her how to stand up for herself. Although people can be from the same generation, they do not always share the same perspective, but here are some that come to share the same traditions. The differences and similarities between the poem and the essay convey to the audience that no matter the differences between the perspectives, but they still end up missing their old tradition. As It describes In poem for the young / Intern from New Jersey he bares have no turning, that how grandfather misses his old days, that are never going to turn back. Upon having different perspective, there are still people who really believe toward new generation, and ready to accept future. Younger generation looks forward understanding and learning about past, and future.

Marketing case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marketing case study - Essay Example The economic down turn had a negative impact on the consumer expenditure and the resultant manufacturers selling prices. The consumer confidence and house building decreased tremendously. The kitchen furniture market reduced rapidly because of house moving. The market value also declined costing the industry more than 250 million pounds. This marketing essay seeks to discuss PEST analysis, target segments and value chain in the industry. PEST analysis PEST analysis is a crucial tool when it comes to marketing process of any organization. It involved identifying economic, technical, political and social influences on the organizational entities. The external factors include uncertainties and risks. Political factors The political or legal set up of the United Kingdom furnisher industry has an immense influence in the mode of regulation that affects the industry. The legislations that are sponsored by the government have the potential to affect the spending power of the consumers. The fiscal policies in the United Kingdom during the recession had a profound effect on the consumer choices in the furniture market (Bruhn & Georgi 2006). The political environment is composed of pressure groups, laws and state agencies that influence the furniture market. The political developments in the United Kingdom have affected all the stakeholders in the furniture industry. Studies show that the legal environment in a market can limit the operations of individuals or organizations (Lopes & Duguid 2010). Therefore, the stakeholders in the furniture industry must understand the United Kingdom’s political system and processes. This is likely to give the stakeholders an enhanced insight into the most profitable business decisions to take in the furniture industry. Government interventions in the running of timber industry affect both the long-term and short term plans of the organization (Lopes & Duguid 2010). The government of the United Kingdom monitors the timber industry to avoid depletion of the forest cover. The government has enacted special legislations that ensure that nature resources are not destroyed for private gain. The furniture market in the United Kingdom is subject to these legislations. The marketing strategy of the timber industry is affected by the government interventions. The government of the United Kingdom has informal and formal rules that play an important role in the timber industry. Some of these laws are the tax policy, environmental regulations and other trade restrictions. Research shows that political stability and tariffs affect organizational profitability (Jerrard & Hands 2008). The government is keen on the role of the forests in fighting climate change. Some of the causes of deforestation include wood extraction, expansion of infrastructure and getting more agricultural land. The government controls the logging process in order to ensure that technology does not lead to compromise in the forest cover leading to neg ative effects on the weather patterns. Technology has enabled the sawyers to harvest up to 4000 tons of timber in a day. Economy factors The economic risks or factors relate to regional trends in the conditions that can have profound effects on timber industry in the United Kingdom. The free market economy, the dynamic inflation rate which is under strict fiscal policies because of the recession and the slow economic growth has a negative effect on the timber and furniture company (Lopes &