Structural Functionalism

A theory is a set of interrelated propositions or principles intended to answer a question or explain a certain phenomena. It provides us with different perspectives in how to view the world we are living in. One of the perspectives of sociology and anthropology interprets a society as a structure in which the role of institutions, action of individuals, and their relationship among each other is widely interconnected. This broad perspective is what we call Structural Functionalism by Robert Merton et. al.

According to structural functionalists, a society is a system of interconnected parts that work together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and social equilibrium. Thus, structural functionalism refers to the distinct structures or institutions that carry out their roles in shaping a society to a distinct form. Each structure has its own way of determining the behavior of the society, and each aspect of the society is mutually dependent and contributes to the society's functioning as a whole.

In a given country for example, it is the government which controls and enforces laws to a certain country. It is also the structure which provides education for the children of the family, through which the family pays taxes that turns into government funds to be able to regulate and provide new firms and projects that will benefit each family as well. It is a cycle which everything seems to be connected to everything else. That is, the family is dependent upon the school to help their children attain good education in order to have good jobs to provide them a good future ahead. In the process, the children become obedient taxpaying citizens who in turn support the government. If the process of working hand in hand goes well, the parts of society would produce order and would maintain stability and productivity. If not, then the parts of the society must do some actions to be able to cope with the situation.

 Another example, during an alarming financial decline of a country with its high rates of poverty, unemployment and inflation, some expenses are trimmed down. Schools offer fewer programs, and families tighten up their budget in their daily expenses. This is to compromise and cover up upon the situation fronted to the individuals in the society.

Coming from Mindanao, the most recent example I could give was the alarming incident which particularly happened in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay. The peace and order condition was disturbed after the series of ambushes and clashes between government troops and unruly groups. The government provides a military system to protect the members from external threat, and police system to maintain law and order of the society especially in cases like this.  The national government in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has undertaken certain actions in order to restore peace and maintain security for the members of a society. The local government of Zamboanga Sibugay has also been undertaking actions to remove the tarnished image of their place like lifting up a curfew and reviewing plans for rehabilitations. The systems are the structures of the society and the functions of the systems are to provide security and stability for the society.

Functionalists believe that a society is held together by social solidarity or cohesion, in which members of the society work together to achieve what is best for their society. This social cohesion is taken up in two forms. First, mechanical solidarity is a form of social cohesion that occurs when people in a society maintain a common belief and instill parallel values as that of the others.  They also engage in similar types of work. This form commonly occurs in traditional, simple societies such as those in the outskirts of the cities, in farms and in provinces. On the other hand, organic solidarity is a form of social cohesion that describes people in a society who are mutually supporting each other, but staying firm on their personal values and beliefs, and engaging in different types of work. Either of the two forms of social cohesion will benefit the institution and the individual as a whole, for each one’s action affects another.

Functionalism might be the result of the cause-effect relationship, but it does not encourage us to literally making our lives busy in changing our social environment, though such change could be beneficial to us. Instead, functionalism discourages this social change because as you would expect, a range of the society will recompense for any problems that may arise. However that may be but that does not only constitute to human behavior, but to the whole body of representatives as well.