Question

1. The 3 major sociological theories are functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism. Compare the three mentioning how they differ from one another using specific examples.

2. According to C. Wright Mills, what is the "sociological imagination" and why is understanding that important in sociology?
3.How is poverty measured? Why are poverty statistics misleading? What are at least 3 consequences of growing up in poverty?
4. How do the 3 major sociological theories explain poverty?
5. Why do social scientists today consider "race" a social construct and tend to consider "race" more of a social category than a biological one?
6.What is the difference between individual and institutional discrimination and give 2 examples of each?
7.What is the difference between "sex" and "gender" and what does "socialization" have to do with how we understand gender in our culture?
8.How do "women of color" experience inequality differently than "white women?"
9. How does "heterosexism" contribute as a significant source of increasing "inequality?"
10.In a 2010 article, what did Biblarz and Stacey find in their study of children of same-sex couples and heterosexual couples?

Answer 1

1. Functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism offer distinct sociological perspectives. Functionalism views society as interdependent parts maintaining stability. Conflict theory emphasizes social inequality and power struggles, while symbolic interactionism explores micro-level interactions and symbols shaping individual understanding.

2. C. Wright Mills' "sociological imagination" connects personal issues to broader societal issues, fostering a deeper understanding of social forces.

3. Poverty is measured by income thresholds, but statistics may mislead due to neglecting non-monetary factors. Consequences of poverty include limited education, compromised health, and cyclical poverty.

4. Sociological theories explain poverty differently: functionalism cites skill deficiency, conflict theory points to social inequality, and symbolic interactionism focuses on individual perceptions.

5. Social scientists view "race" as a social construct, shaped by perceptions and history, not biological differences.

6. Individual discrimination involves personal biases, while institutional discrimination occurs in societal structures.

7. "Sex" is biological; "gender" is a social construct influenced by socialization, shaping individuals' roles.

8. Women of color face unique gender-based disparities due to intersectionality.

9. Heterosexism reinforces LGBTQ+ inequality by privileging heterosexual norms.

10. Biblarz and Stacey's 2010 study disproved stereotypes about same-sex parenting, showing similar outcomes for children in both family types.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Functionalism, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionism:Functionalism sees society as a system of interrelated parts working together to maintain stability. For example, in education, schools provide essential knowledge for societal functioning. Conflict theory, in contrast, emphasizes social inequality and power struggles. An example is the labor market, where conflicts arise over wages and resources. Symbolic interactionism focuses on individual interactions and symbols shaping social reality. In the context of family, symbolic interactionism examines how family roles and symbols influence individual behavior.

2. Sociological Imagination: C. Wright Mills' sociological imagination connects personal troubles to broader societal issues. This skill is vital in sociology, fostering a deeper understanding of the social forces shaping individuals' lives. For instance, linking unemployment to economic structures helps individuals see their experiences as part of larger social patterns.

3. Poverty Measurement and Consequences: Poverty is measured using income thresholds, but this overlooks non-monetary factors. Consequences of growing up in poverty include limited educational opportunities, compromised health, and a cyclical nature of poverty.

4. Sociological Theories on Poverty: Functionalism attributes poverty to a lack of skills, conflict theory sees it as a result of social inequality, and symbolic interactionism focuses on individuals' perceptions and experiences of poverty in daily life.

5. Race as a Social Construct: Social scientists consider race a social construct shaped by social perceptions and historical contexts rather than inherent biological differences. "Race" is a social category reflecting societal classifications.

6. Individual and Institutional Discrimination: Individual discrimination involves prejudiced actions like racial slurs, while institutional discrimination occurs within organizations. Examples include discriminatory hiring practices perpetuating racial inequalities.

7. Sex, Gender, and Socialization: "Sex" denotes biological differences, while "gender" is a social construct. Socialization influences gender norms and expectations, shaping how individuals understand and perform gender roles.

8. Inequality for Women of Color: Women of color experience inequality differently due to the intersectionality of race and gender. Racial stereotypes and discrimination compound gender-based disparities for women of color.

9. Heterosexism and Inequality: Heterosexism reinforces inequality by privileging heterosexual norms, marginalizing LGBTQ+ individuals across various aspects of life.

10. Biblarz and Stacey's Study: Biblarz and Stacey's 2010 study debunked stereotypes about same-sex parenting. Children of same-sex couples performed equally well in social, emotional, and academic outcomes compared to those from heterosexual couples, challenging societal prejudices.