Question

Describe the three main theoretical perspectives of subordinate groups

Answer 1

• Issues of race and ethnicity can be observed through three major sociological perspectives: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
• In the view of functionalism, racial and ethnic inequalities must have served an important function in order to exist as long as they have.
• Sociologists who adhere to the functionalist view argue that racism and discrimination do contribute positively, but only to the dominant group. Historically, it has indeed served dominant groups well to discriminate against subordinate groups. Slavery, of course, was beneficial to slaveholders. Holding racist views can benefit those who want to deny rights and privileges to people they view as inferior to them, but over time, racism harms society.
• Apart from the issues of race, ethnicity, and social inequality, the close ties of ethnic and racial membership can be seen to serve some positive functions even if they lead to the formation of ethnic and racial enclaves or ghettos.
• The close ties promote group cohesion, which can have economic benefits especially for immigrants who can use community contacts to pursue employment. They can also have political benefits in the form of political mobilization for recognition, services, or resources by different communities.
• Finally, the close ties of racial or ethnic groups also provide cultural familiarity and emotional support for individuals who might otherwise feel alienated by or discriminated against by the dominant society.
• For symbolic interactionists, race and ethnicity provide strong symbols as sources of identity. In fact, some interactionists propose that the symbols of race, not race itself, are what lead to racism.
• Racial prejudice is formed through interactions between members of the dominant group: without these interactions, individuals in the dominant group would not hold racist views. These interactions contribute to an abstract picture of the subordinate group that allows the dominant group to support its view of the subordinate group, thus maintaining the status quo.
• The Conflict perspective refers to the inequalities that exist in all societies globally.
• Sociologists who work from the conflict perspective study the distribution of resources, power, and inequality.According to the conflict perspective, society is constantly in conflict over resources, and that conflict drives social change.
• Conflict theory suggests that men, as the dominant gender, subordinate women in order to maintain power and privilege in society.According to conflict theory, society is defined by a struggle for dominance among social groups that compete for scarce resources.According to conflict theory, social problems are created when dominant groups exploit or oppress subordinate groups.
• Conflict theory argues that the economic and political structures of a society create social divisions, inequalities, and conflicts.