Sociology

Functionalist Theory in the Caribbean

Functionalism is a theory that views society as a complex but orderly and stable system with

interconnected structures and functions or social patterns that work to meet the needs of

individuals in a society. Caribbean sociologists have remembered the origins of the social

perspective of functionalism. Functionalism can be found from the late 18th Century and was

originally based on the changes within European societies. Caribbean sociologists have also

stated that the functionalist view can be used in a good study of the Caribbean society.

Caribbean society is highly shaped by European forces and as such the functionalist’s view that

was originally used to study European societies is appropriate. In the Commonwealth Caribbean,

the legal, religious and educational systems are model from our European counterpart, i.e.

Britain. The Caribbean region have a set of social structures and institutions that are inter-related.

Such institutions as the family, the school, the church, and the government serve to work

together to bring a connection and value consensus within Caribbean society.

Caribbean society shows social order through its social institutions, which socializes and controls

the individual. People conform to social forces in the region and this result in social stability and

the reproduction of society.

Individual actions are shaped by the socializing patterns within society. In the Caribbean, people

are unique because they are the products of the regions African, Indian and European cultures.

Caribbean people are deeply shaped into the cultural values and norms within society.