Please complete your reading assignment before you participate in this forum. The purpose of this discussion is to examine the concept of sociology and the differences in contemporary perspectives of sociological thinking.
Which of the theoretical approaches (such as functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionist, postmodern, etc.) do you feel is most accurate when describing the social world and the social problems within it? You can list more than one. Please explain your selection(s).
I believe that the theoretical approach that our social world falls in today would be the social-conflict approach. Unfortunately, it is still common to see unfair/unequal treatment depending on your race, culture, gender, orientation, or social status (Macionis, 2014). This happens on a daily basis, whether it’s within a company when a promotion is going to be given to someone and it’s given to male vs. a female, or something that we’ve been seeing more recently on the news, a white police officer firing at an African American. I think one of the hotter topics to fall under this would be immigration. Although society can work to make this a less common problem, it will always me an ongoing issue.
Can sociological insight be applied to gang violence and drug addiction? Explain why or why not.
I do believe that sociological insight can be applied to gang violence and drugs. Although it is perceived that the lower-class or people living in poverty are more like to be involved in such activities, no one is immune and can get involved at any time. However, if you are in a higher social class you may be able to sweep it under the rule more easily than a person in a lower social class. Some individuals just join these activities because it is something observed in their daily lives or have family members involved and see it as a “normal” behavior.
Macionis, J. J. (2014). Sociology (15th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.