Marxist Approach to Health

The Functionalist theory emphasizes the contributions (functions) that all parts of society (e.g., social institutions) make within society. This theory has contributed to sociology by providing a view “which emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain stability.” (Schafer 2013, pg13)

According to Griffiths & et. al (2015), functionalism is a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the individuals in that

Functionalist perspective asserts that in order for society to function it requires good medical care. Being sick effects one’s role in society. The sick role in functionalist perceptive it believes people should believe they are the causes of the illnesses. Example if we do not exercise, eat healthy or a drunk driver hitting a wall, there is less emotion if we practice proper habits. Furthermore, the sick need to get well mentally and physically if not, there are not legitimately ill by society. Lastly in general people need to see their health care provider in order to confirm and get proper instructions to become well, if they do not then the sick roll is

Within this assignment I am going to explore the sociological perspectives of Marxism and Functionalism and a brief view on interactionism in relation to health and inequalities in health. I will explore sociological explanations for these inequalities focusing on structural materialist, artefact, social selection and cultural explanations.

In this essay I am going to compare and contrast Functionalism and Marxism. They are both sociological perspectives which have theories about society and the people that live within it. They attempt to explain how society influences people, and similarly how people influence society. However, the two perspectives are clearly different.

Functionalism is a theory which allows an individual to understand their place in society, and understands the relationship between physical input and behavioural output. It also believes that society is a system of components that are internally connected and that all the components work together to maintain stability in the society.

Functionalism looks at society in aspects of how it contributes to the steadiness/cohesion of the whole society (Anderson, Taylor, & Logio, P. 18). There are many institutions that are looked at that include the economic system, government, education, religion, health care, and family. All of which have different roles and perform different functions to ensure that society operates in a well-ordered manner. An example of this would be how family reproduces, takes care of children, exposes children to culture and heritage, supports other family members, and shares life experiences. Shared values and social stability are keys to this perspective. When this system breaks down it is because people’s needs are not being covered and shared values are deteriorating. When this occurs, it affects all parts of functionalism and the society must achieve

Functionalism is one of the social theories and it is known as the first sociological “theoretical orientation” (Maryanski& Jonathan, 2001, p. 1029). Function is a product based with the needs of society (Stedman, 2007). It holds society together and functionally. The function of education, the place of community and the stability environment of occupation are required for human to live healthy. Especially, family frequently can be the first social institution for young people, which is a place to learn social behavior and is a key element to keep mental health being good condition.

A sociological theory is defined as a set of ideas that provide explanations about society and its structures. Functionalism and weberianism are most influential sociological theories about health and illness. With some similarities these theories have different ways to explain health and wellness. The essay will compare and contrast the two theories in terms of health and illness and shed light on the way these theories enhance the knowledge of health professionals.

According to Naiman (2012), functionalism is a sociological framework that compares society to an organism with interrelated and important parts that lead to the collective entity of society. Each element is considered to have an equally important function within society that ensures its survival (Naiman, 2012). In order to do so, all of the interconnected parts of society must work together in harmony (Naiman, 2012). However, it is also important to note that while certain functional elements within society, such as war, can be beneficial they are by no means inevitable or ideal to the individuals within the society (Naiman, 2012).

The theory of functionalism by Bronisław Malinowski suggests that, a society’s cultural system is maintained through a specific aspect of culture of societal life. Generally, everything we do is to maintain ourselves or society.

Functionalism is a consensus perspective, whereby society is based on shared values and norms into which members are socialised. For functionalists, society is seen as a system of social institutions such as the economy, religion and the family all of which perform socialisation functions.

This book is concerned with the influence of political and economic values on past and present disease-prevention policies. The author's underlying assumption, briefly stated, is that the fundamental cause of much disease is the inequitable distribution of power and economic resources. Writing from a Marxist perspective, she argues that in the final analysis the prevention of disease cannot be effective unless the basic social and economic factors that contribute to it are changed. In the first three chapters Tesh discusses the influence of political and economic values on causal theories of disease. She suggests that each of the four major . .

In this essay I am going to speak about how social class has an impact on health from the perspectives of two sociologists - marxist and functionalist. I will then evaluate these perspectives… The functionalist theory is a system of thinking based in the ideas of Emile Durkheim. That looks at society from a large-scale perspective and examines the necessary structures that make up the society and how each part help to keep the society stable and it indicates that society is heading towards an equilibrium. It suggests that society is made from a bunch of connected structures, one is institutions, which meet the needs of society like education, businesses and medicine.

   The functionalist viewpoint, on Functionalist, additionally called functionalism, is one of the major hypothetical points of view in humanism. It has its sources in progress of Emile Durkheim, who was particularly inspired by how social request is conceivable or how society remains generally steady. Thusly, it is a hypothesis that spotlights on the large scale level of social structure, instead of the small scale level of regular day to day existence. Striking scholars incorporate Herbert Spencer, Talcott Parsons, and Robert K. Merton.