3.1b A Functionalist Perspective

How do sociologists explain the existence of social institutions across cultures and over time? A functionalist perspective focuses on the social needs a social institution meets and takes a macro approach to studying that institution. In other words, this perspective asks how a specific social institution contributes to the overall functioning of society. Consider the functions of the economy, education, and family. The economy provides jobs, which is important because people get money through employment. Education provides instruction for children (and adults) to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic, and prepares students for jobs. Families take care the members of their family. A functionalist perspective focuses on the role or function of these and other social institutions.

Sometimes a social institution’s role expands or contracts. For instance, Chapter 2 examined how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education and work. This disruption particularly impacted mothers who were now expected to care for and educate their children while also employed. The pandemic exposed how education, the economy, and family depend on each other, and how each of these is affected if one or more of them is disrupted.

This textbook focuses on a different social institution in most of its chapters. This chapter looks primarily at religion and government as social institutions. Early sociological thinkers uncovered important insights about social life by examining religion, making it an essential focus of sociology. Though religion may not be an important part of daily life for some readers, the government affects all citizens. Moreover, in the United States, religion and government are distinct yet also interrelated. As a result, religion also matters a great deal to the lives of all citizens, even if they are not religious.

Photo 3.3

A Christmas Tree Display at a State Capitol Is an Example of Christianity as the Dominant Religion