Manuel Andres Beltran
SOC 385
Blog 5
Parsons’ structural function theory can be very useful when attempting to
understand a larger institution and in the example I will use, even certain
positions. For this I will use the example of an elected official who plans on
being reelected (generally speaking of course) and his or her constituents.
Since I will be using politics as an example, Joey Sprague came to mind when
deciding this. She referred to the canon of Sociology and how many of the so
called “founding fathers” are basically old dead white men. They are however
considered as the canon of Sociology because they are usually the names that
typically come up when studying sociological theory. Likewise, in general
politicians and usually the people who come to mind when thinking of the
“founding fathers” of politics or a particular party or organization, “old white
men” are usually the people that seem to be better known. In many political
organizations even today, men tend to be the leaders or perceived leaders even
though they may not actually be responsible for getting most of the work
done.
Parsons identified four basic elements of structural function which
include: social control, socialization, adaptability, and a belief system or
collective consciousness. The example I am using is loosely based on an elected
official (could be applied to an alderman, congressman, or senator) and his or
her constituents. In this case, the district or ward is the environment and the
elected official is the social system. The elected official’s primary job is to
provide services and vote in the best interests so as to keep their
job.
Social control is kept by a variety of institutions and individuals aside
from the elected official. However, the elected individual is more directly
involved with providing schools, law enforcement with resources and also in
charge of maintaining certain city, state, and or federal services running so
that there is order in the district. This can vary from having more police
officers in a particular area, cameras, or even funding for school programs and
the creation and implementation of laws and policies. They may also help make
sure there are enough stop signs, lights, and properly maintained streets. All
of these are part of the elected official’s job but also help maintain society
running smoothly.
Socialization is when people are accustomed to a certain order of how
things run. In this case, the elected official would reach out to constituents
and inform them of the services he or she is there to provide. At the same time,
constituents may be informed or educated on what is expected of them in return.
This could range from making sure they register and vote in the next election to
telling them how to behave to some extent. Socialization in this example may
also help government so that they may better serve people. This can also help
socialize constituents without them knowing directly since they may see clean
streets all of the time and may subconsciously refrain from littering or
carrying out other undesirable behavior.
Adaptability is another element vital for the success of an elected
official. Since everything changes over time, so do the issues people concern
themselves with. Sometimes this has to do with the fact that the population of
the ward or district itself has changed in demographics. Assuming an elected
official plans on being reelected, he or she must adapt to the new concerns and
needs of his or her constituents. They must even adapt to the needs and concerns
of individuals who may not be able to vote due to immigration status since they
may also be related in some way to someone who can and will (or not!).
In order for all of the above to work, a belief system or collective
consciousness must be present in both the elected official and the residents of
the district. This belief system is basically a set of shared values and or a
shared identity. In this case perhaps a shared sense of community. As mentioned
above, individuals are socialized, educated and controlled to some extent.
However, people must believe in their system of government otherwise this lack
of belief system may lead to apathy in government and the elected official being
voted out of a job. Ideally, people would believe that if they vote for their
perceived best candidate put their part into the process, they will consequently
be better represented and should get most if not all of what they want (stop
signs, law or policy passed, etc.).
SOC 385
Blog 5
Parsons’ structural function theory can be very useful when attempting to
understand a larger institution and in the example I will use, even certain
positions. For this I will use the example of an elected official who plans on
being reelected (generally speaking of course) and his or her constituents.
Since I will be using politics as an example, Joey Sprague came to mind when
deciding this. She referred to the canon of Sociology and how many of the so
called “founding fathers” are basically old dead white men. They are however
considered as the canon of Sociology because they are usually the names that
typically come up when studying sociological theory. Likewise, in general
politicians and usually the people who come to mind when thinking of the
“founding fathers” of politics or a particular party or organization, “old white
men” are usually the people that seem to be better known. In many political
organizations even today, men tend to be the leaders or perceived leaders even
though they may not actually be responsible for getting most of the work
done.
Parsons identified four basic elements of structural function which
include: social control, socialization, adaptability, and a belief system or
collective consciousness. The example I am using is loosely based on an elected
official (could be applied to an alderman, congressman, or senator) and his or
her constituents. In this case, the district or ward is the environment and the
elected official is the social system. The elected official’s primary job is to
provide services and vote in the best interests so as to keep their
job.
Social control is kept by a variety of institutions and individuals aside
from the elected official. However, the elected individual is more directly
involved with providing schools, law enforcement with resources and also in
charge of maintaining certain city, state, and or federal services running so
that there is order in the district. This can vary from having more police
officers in a particular area, cameras, or even funding for school programs and
the creation and implementation of laws and policies. They may also help make
sure there are enough stop signs, lights, and properly maintained streets. All
of these are part of the elected official’s job but also help maintain society
running smoothly.
Socialization is when people are accustomed to a certain order of how
things run. In this case, the elected official would reach out to constituents
and inform them of the services he or she is there to provide. At the same time,
constituents may be informed or educated on what is expected of them in return.
This could range from making sure they register and vote in the next election to
telling them how to behave to some extent. Socialization in this example may
also help government so that they may better serve people. This can also help
socialize constituents without them knowing directly since they may see clean
streets all of the time and may subconsciously refrain from littering or
carrying out other undesirable behavior.
Adaptability is another element vital for the success of an elected
official. Since everything changes over time, so do the issues people concern
themselves with. Sometimes this has to do with the fact that the population of
the ward or district itself has changed in demographics. Assuming an elected
official plans on being reelected, he or she must adapt to the new concerns and
needs of his or her constituents. They must even adapt to the needs and concerns
of individuals who may not be able to vote due to immigration status since they
may also be related in some way to someone who can and will (or not!).
In order for all of the above to work, a belief system or collective
consciousness must be present in both the elected official and the residents of
the district. This belief system is basically a set of shared values and or a
shared identity. In this case perhaps a shared sense of community. As mentioned
above, individuals are socialized, educated and controlled to some extent.
However, people must believe in their system of government otherwise this lack
of belief system may lead to apathy in government and the elected official being
voted out of a job. Ideally, people would believe that if they vote for their
perceived best candidate put their part into the process, they will consequently
be better represented and should get most if not all of what they want (stop
signs, law or policy passed, etc.).