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Social Problem in the Society
Introduction
Society exists as a result of the interactions among the communities and people within a

particular boundary. The communities shape up the society regarding individual compositions,

values, norms, and ideologies. In fact, society exists as an entity which comprises different and

independent individuals. In the modern times, the values which can be found within a

community shape the behavior patterns and actions of members within the same society.

Scholars continue to have different opinions relating to the specific factors which define a

society. Some of them postulated theories and sociological perspectives which attempt to define

the norms and behavior patterns of members of a particular society. This paper seeks to illustrate

several social theories postulated in the olden times which explain the several factors that

determine the behavior patterns of society.

The theory focused in this paper relates to Functionalism one. In this context, the paper

intends to focus on a social vice which remains as a predominant factor within the modern

society and the application of this theory regarding the vice. Studies show that the several actions

exhibited in the modern societies result from the perspectives, norms, and ideologies of its

members. Therefore, the theories identified by early scholars seek to define the behaviors

patterns and to relate them to the modern patterns of lifestyle.

Functionalism Theory

Functionalism theory (also called the functionalist perspective) stands out as one of the

social theories which shape the understanding of modern societies. This theory remains as one of
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the critical perspectives postulated about the increasing changes within the societies. It stems

from the perspective drawn by Emile Durkheim that stands out as an important one in the

modern times. The relevance of the theory comes from its understanding of the composition of a

typical society. The theory underscores the fact that the society exists as major components of

small parts which co-exist to form the entire one. Also, the theory provides that the several parts

constituting the society interrelate and function together. Functionalism perspective focuses on

the functions of various parts composing a society. In this perspective, Durkheim illustrates that

the several parts that contribute to a society function differently but in a harmonious pattern

(Groom 111).
Functionalist perspective remains as an important tool in studying the society because of

its dependence on the functionalism of the various parts. The parts exist in harmony and

contribute to the social order witnessed in the society. This approach concerns the aspect of

social harmony and stability in the modern times especially because the society composes

different people.
Social order usually refers to the patterns of behavior that contribute to the unity existing

within the society. Usually, policies and norms which guide members of a society form the basis

upon which every society exists. Without the guidelines, the society remains unable to control

and witness different behavior patterns (Murphy 66-65). Therefore, the aspect of social order

contributed to the peace and order seen in the manner of relationship within the society. One

major application of this theory relates to the explanation of the behaviors and actions within the

society.
In light of the theory, this paper intends to illustrate typical scenarios within the modern

society which exhibit relevance to the theory. The emphasis drawn on the use of the theory

relates to its significance in describing the different parts coexisting in a typical society. The

application of the theory in explaining some of the vices in the modern society remains as a
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critical aspect of the society. Social order exists as a result of the interdependence of the several

parts which constitute a society.

Illustration of a Social

The society exists as a result of members living together and coexisting to achieve

common livelihood. The coexistence of society members results in different behavior patterns

among them. The functionalist perspective underscores the relevance of the existence of different

patterns of behavior. Therefore, the different functional units in the society work in togetherness

so as to bring a common purpose among the members. Social order, therefore, comes when the

members of a society tolerate one another and act congruently to the social rules and guidelines

(Hassard 201-202).
One of the illustrations of the common problems within a society relates to Criminal

activities which happen within a society. Studies show that the modern world experiences the

highest number of criminal activities as compared to other periods of the world. In many cases,

the criminal activities such as theft and murder occur as a result of the collapse of social order.

The pattern of occurrences of vices relating to social imbalance occurs quite often in the modern

times due to several varied patterns of behavior. Similarly, the differences which exist regarding

functional units of the society lead to the occurrence of such social problems.
Criminal activities happen due to the presence of criminals within a typical society. These

people work in a network to bring social imbalance and disruption of social order. The

perspective drawn by Durkheim provides that the activities of each and different functional units

within a society shape the kind of behavior patterns of the society. The first functional unit of

society in this illustration relates to the family. The family forms the initial stage which shapes up

the behavior of individuals and members of society (Stolley 192-193). Therefore, the teachings

of a family contribute to the promotion or eradication of criminal activities within a society.

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When a person from an orderly family goes to school, the streams of teachings get promoted.

Therefore, schools stand out as the second functional units which shape the development,

character, and behavior of individual patterns in society. The schools inculcate moral values

within an individual thereby contributing to social order. The third unit, therefore, relates to the

government. The government monitors the patterns of behaviors of individual and enforces law

and order. In this case, the government deals with the law breakers and also uses its laws to

reinforce acceptable behavior among members of society.

Therefore, the illustration provided shows three functional units in a typical society

which shape the behaviors of individuals. They include the family, school, and government.

When an individual fails to get right teachings from the family, fails to go to school, fails to

receive moral lessons, and fails to abide by the laws of the government, the person ends up

committing criminal activities within the society. Studies show that a greater percentage of

criminals concerns individuals who failed to benefit from moral lessons taught in schools and

from the families. Therefore, the illustration fits the application of functionalism theory.
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Works Cited

Groom, Arthur John Richard, and Taylor, Paul, (eds.) Functionalism: Theory and Practice in

International Relations. London: University of London Press, 1975. Print.

Hassard, John. Sociology and Organization Theory: Positivism, Paradigms, and Postmodernity.

No. 20. Cambridge University Press, 1995. Print.

Murphy, Craig. The Functional Approach, Organization Theory and Conflict Management. No.

13. Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, 1996. Print.
Ottawa, Ont: Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, 1996. Print.
Stolley, Kathy S. The Basics of Sociology. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005. Print.