Analyzing Social Issues Through Sociological Frameworks

Abstract

[Name] There are different ways of arguing and solving a social problem. Sociologists are known for their potential in analyzing, interpreting, and solving social problems. However, it is imperative to note that sociologists employ different perspectives while analyzing social phenomena at different levels to ensure a logical solution beyond a reasonable doubt. Functionalism, Symbolic interactions, and conflict perspective are the major approaches that sociologists consider while arguing any social phenomena. However, it is good to note that each of the above-mentioned sociological frameworks offers a sociologist a chance to view a social problem from a unique angle, thus offering concrete interpretations through micro to the macro analysis of the issue at hand. According to Loyal and Malešević (2021), these major sociological frameworks offer sociologists a theoretical paradigm to explain how people influence society and vice versa. Max Weber asserted that humans act according to their interpretations of the meaning of their world. It is an assertion that serves as the origin of the symbolic interactionism approach, which directs sociologists to analyze symbols and their meaning to humans’ life based on how humans interact with each other (Loyal and Malešević, 2021). It is a micro-level approach that considers individual-level interpretations of the world around them through communication and exchanging ideas through symbols. Based on this approach, humans attach meanings to symbols that guide their actions throughout their interactions. Therefore, symbolic interaction theorists argue social problems from people's interpretations, citing that through interactions, humans analyze each other's behavior and interpret them according to their potential. Such interactions enhance the creation of social bonds that enable people to relate peacefully or cause conflicts attributed to the interpretation of the embraced symbols. Functionalism is a macro-level approach that argues for society from an interdependent perspective. Functionalists assume that society is a complex interconnected system of parts that works together in harmony (Mooney, Clever, and Van Willigen, 2021). To this effect, each societal aspect is interdependent and contributes significantly to societal functioning. A good example is when the government or the state provides education services to all without discrimination ad, in return, gets back from the educated citizens through tax paying, which facilitates the smooth running of both parties. Functionalists argue social phenomena from the societal imbalance perception, citing that...