Comparing Functionalism And Symbolic Interactionalism

“Deviance in sociological context describes actions or behaviors that violate cultural norms including formally-enacted rules (e.g., crime) as well as informal violations of social norms.”

In sociology, functionalism is one of the main theoretical perspective. The father of the sociology Emile Durkheim was the promoter of functionalism. Functionalism mainly focusing on the stability and order of the society. This gives a variety of elaboration about the society or human behaviour. All the parts of the theoretical perspectives connected and influenced each other, this all works together in maintain the society healthy. All of these parts depends one to another, if one of the parts not working properly, that will affect all the system or that all circles.

Functionalism is a macro system theory which sees society as a mega structure of linked social institutions such as school, family and the legal system. Each different institution is functional to ensure the whole of society is maintained. For example primary socialisation takes place within the home where children are taught basic life

In sociology, the term deviance refers to all violations of social rules, regardless of their seriousness (Essentials of Sociology 136). Deviance is an individual or organizational behavior that violates societal norms and is usually accompanied by negative reactions from others. According to a sociologist S. Becker, he stated that it is not the act itself that makes an action deviant, but rather how society reacts to it.

Functionalism also known as functionalist perspective is one of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology. Functionalism clarifies each part of society in terms of how it contributes and helps the balance of the society as a whole. Each part of society is functional for the

Functionalism is a sociological approach that sees the institutions of society – which are sometimes likened to the human body, as the institutions, such as the police, hospitals, etc, work in union and they make specific contributions to the smooth running of society.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have had many impacts on their culture since European settlement in Australia. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were seen to be savages with no civilisation and as such Australia was seen as ‘Terra Nullius’. With European settlement Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders saw a loss of their land and culture, labour exploitation, introduced diseases, change of diet and a loss in their rights as a citizen and as a human being. Many laws and policies were introduced which controlled an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders life, many things for which we take for granted today. Things such as residence, employment, marriage, social and daily life were all restricted. Most notably was the laws introduced that allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be forcibly removed from their families.

Sociologists define deviance as a behavior, trait, or belief that departs from a norm and generates a negative reaction in a particular group (153). Deviance can be anything. A certain sociably acceptable act in one culture can be seen as deviant in another culture it does not matter how large or small the act. Sociologist developed three theories to help explain deviance. Sociologists explored the functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism approaches to deviance.

Moreover, the ability to determine which laws are in affect with which Indigenous and non-indigenous Australian’s becomes limited and the issue falls to public disapproval. Due to the unwritten nature of aboriginal customary law confusion would arise as to who must/can abide by certain customary laws and punishments for those who disobey. An injustice would then occur when distinguishing which indigenous Australian’s receive the blanket of customary law and whether or not it extends to half casts and if so, to whom does it extend. This general confusion would create not only laws that are un-easy to follow but would also create many general misinterpretations of the law and could lead to further racism attitudes. Said racism attitudes would ignite when scrutiny over punishments and who receives them arises while people strive for equality and argue over the degree of fairness received. This scrutiny not only hinders the status of indigenous Australian’s rather than improving it, but can also lead to future hostilities and class/status debates again creating the possibility of a negative impact.

Functionalism is seen as a macro-scale approach to society; it sees society as a whole rather than looking at parts of it. Due to this, functionalism sees society as a body (organic analogy), all the institutions work together to make society. This is particularly useful when observing society in order to understand the way in which it functions and the way in which all the institutions (organic analogy: organs within the body) work together to sustain society as a whole. Functionalism being a macro-scale approach is therefore seen as a strength as it allows functionalist sociologists to observe society, and its institutions, as a whole.

Functionalism is consensus theory in sociology. Society based on Functionalism theory was defined as a system of interconnected institutions such as family,

According to Macionis (2016, p.171), deviance may be defined as the documented contravention of cultural standards. It is the intentional disregard for the conventional way of association and the link between deviance and crime may be high based on what theory one chooses to explicitly follow.

Social science describes deviance as an act or trait that runs contrary to acceptable norms

Functionalism is one of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology which explains how social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable.

In this study, I argue that the narrative used by the Australian government has served as a catalyst for the reinforcement for unjust intergroup relations between native Australians and