Angelika R.

Rioteta
11 - Zircon

HOW IMPORTANT IS STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM

IN UNDERSTANDING SOCIETY

Society might have been in chaos. Society might have been far from being
unified. Society might have no longer been safe for its people. In society, there
are rules, regulations, principles and standards that we follow, by these, people in
a society are associated together wherein there is a common understanding and
there is a possibility of harmonious working through this what we call “structural
functionalism”.
“Complex” is the right term for society but theories were laid for the
purpose of addressing such societal concern, one of which is the functionalism. It
is a theory that sees society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to
meet the biological and social needs of the individuals in a society. Structural
Functionalism is very important because it makes people understand how the
society works. Example of which that makes the society functioning are the social
institutions or patterns of beliefs and behaviors focused on meeting social needs
such as government, education, family, healthcare, religion and the economy.
Moreover, through the theory of functionalism, it is believed and it happens in
reality that society merely its people is held together by shared values, languages
and symbols. By means of structural functionalism we are able to call “society” as
“society”. Why? Because through functionalism, individuals in a society are able
to come up with a unified language, values and symbols which everyone
understands. Societies became more structured and systematized thus,
performing their function well for its people.
Before, our might have been diversified it terms of its components, our
society was pictured in a disordered manner, our society might not have been our
society. But now, through functionalism, as society, we now have a path to go
with. We can work peacefully and freely, we can attain what we want with a
patterned process and we can be the persons we are. Through this concept, we
will not just be able to understand society but instead we will as well be able to
function as individuals in making our society so much better.