Explain what the main differences are between how a conflict theorist and functionalist theorist would understand class inequality in Australian society. PDF

Preview

Summary

Explain what the main differences are between how a conflict theorist and functionalist theorist would understand class inequality in Australian society. ...

Description

Elisha venesjarvi Student number: 18678345

Explain what the main differences are between how a conflict theorist and functionalist theorist would understand class inequality in Australian society.

INTRODUCTION Through learning and applying a range of sociological concepts to study a society you are able to gain a more refined understanding on the evolving science and study that constructs a society. Applying sociological perspective allows an individual to study from a deeper understanding to be able to make educated conclusions. By studying the Australian society in regards to understanding class inequality, sociology allows you to understand and compare various theorists understanding on the concept to explain the differences in their opinions/beliefs. BODY

Studying a society can be a difficult and complex task as the dynamics of a functioning society are constantly changing and adapting. Through studying the different groups within a society it allows you to gain a deeper understanding into the factors that affect their social standing and purpose. Class inequality is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards solely based on their social class within a group or society. Chamberlain’s (1983) study into exactly how Australians understood class, uncovered at that time, Australians recognized that class was a direct source of inequality in that society. The segregation highlights how the Australian society is stratified. Henslin (2015) defined social stratification as a system in which groups of people are divided into layers according to their relative property, prestige and power. al stratification is a system in which groups of people are divided into layers according to their relative property, prestige and power. In Australian society, class inequality is seen throughout various social institutions such as schools, in which an individual’s educational opportunity increases the higher they are on the social class ladder thus creating inequality amongst the lower class.

The conflict theory perspective the fact that society is in a state of perpetual conflict because of competition for limited sources and social order is maintained by domination, power and therefor sources class inequality. Karl Max a conflict theorist, would understand that the capitalists, those who own the means of production to generate wealth, are the upper class holding more power over a lower class and thus deserve better education/opportunities based on their upper-class social standing. A conflict theorist focuses on the idea that wealth is power and holds a greater position in society which creates an unfair inequality. Through this perspective, the upper class hold all the power in terms of access to education as they would receive better resources and opportunities than the lower class. Durkin (2019) displayed the immense power wealth and status hold within a society as celebrities bought their children an elite college acceptance. Although this matter is within the US, it is relatable in the Australian society as elite private schools only allow people who are of wealth to afford their fee’s and access the benefits of their resources, connections and power. An analysis by Hunter (2019) exposed that the government is providing private schools with $215 million dollars every year, based the student’s needs. Such income provides these students with better facilities, resources and opportunities that are not offered to the lower class to further generate more wealth into society. This inequality directly demonstrates the effect of hegemony, ‘the process through which a ruling/dominant class wins over a subordinated group through ideas’ (Macionis & Plummer 2008, p. 516).This segregation of the classes could lead to negative stereotyping of individuals of lower wealth and potentially exercise a ingroup bias attitude to all aspects of their personal and professional life in society. Wealth and ownership are important factors to a conflict theorist view, as they would perceive the upper class as worthy and deserving of such benefits they’d receive from having a significant social standing in society. The education system provides an example of a conflict theorists view point on the inequalities that stand within the current Australian society.

The functionalist theory highlights that society is held together by social consensus, in which members of the society work together to achieve what is best for society as a whole. Emile Durkheim, a functionalist theorist, would try to understand Australian society by imagining how these different aspects of society cooperate to create social harmony. Henslin (2015) conveyed the idea that functional theorist’s support inequalities as it promotes social change especially within the Australian context. Specifically, inequalities in regards to access to education could promote the

government or relevant parties too socially unite to form the means of change needed in society to allow all classes to receive the necessary resources that elite schools pride themselves on. Sociologist Randall Collins (1979) observed that industrialised nations have become credential societies. This means that employers usually use diplomas and degrees as a sorting system to determine who is eligible for the job. By this action, class inequality is involved as employers judge the individual in which schools or institutions they attended, which doesn’t directly reflect individuals potential. Functionalist’s would argue that this creates motivation for individuals to achieve higher marks and be accepted into well regarded schools that employers respect. They also believe that without having this stereotype in society that specific schools reflect different levels of capability, there would be no means for social change. Therefore, from this inequality society has the opportunity to potentially breakdown stereotypes throughout the various groups in a landscape is regarded to being a credential focused society. By this, he means that employers use diplomas and degrees as sorting devices to determine who is eligible for a job. Functionalist core beliefs are that the various aspects of society are necessary for a functioning society. Social harmony is a key factor in their perspective as they propose ideas that harmony is a society is a result of the traits of a society’s. Therefor they would understand that the level of education you receive based off your social class is fair and functional for a society to continue growing and evolving. Functionalists claim that inequality is inevitable and functional for Australian society.

A conflict theorist focuses more on the fact that different sections of society have different forms of power, access to wealth and they compete, judging class inequality as a conflict for resources and power. On the other hand, a functionalist theorist would understand that class inequality in Australian society is the result of one part of society breaking down and becoming dysfunctional. The difference between the two theories provide two different point of views on class in equality in Australian society. CONCLUSION Through analysing different theories and how they understand society you are able to gain a better understanding on society as a whole. Societies are complex and prove difficult in defining as that are constantly evolving.The main difference is that a conflict theorist believes that different sections of society compete whilst a functionalist theorist believes that they cooperate. Class inequality in

Australian society can be viewed from different theories which enables an individual to learn and adapt their understanding to further their knowledge on the issue.

REFERNCES

Hunter, M. (2019). More than 150 private schools over-funded by hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/full-list-1-billion-flowing-towealthy-private-schools-officially-classed-as-overfunded-20160930-grs6nz.html Durkin, E. (2019). US college admissions scandal: how did the scheme work and who was charged?. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/12/college-admissionsfraud-scandal-felicity-huffman-lori-loughlin Chamberlain, C. Class Consciousness in Australia . Sydney: George Allen & Unwin, 1983. Henslin, J.M., Possamai, A.M., Possamai-Inesedy, A.L., Marjoribanks, T. and Elder, K., 2015. Sociology: A down to earth approach. Pearson Higher Education AU. Macionis, J., 2008. p. 711 Sociology: A Global Introduction/John J. Macionis, Ken Plummer. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

Collins, R., 1979. The credential society: An historical sociology of education and stratification. Academic Pr....