Macro-Sociological Ideas of Structural-Functionalism - Essay Example

According to Turner (pp.25), if people face dilemmas, in terms of the need to achieve decent goals, they are likely to undergo frustrations, and get into crimes. Such people undergo strains which are a resultant of their inability to conform to the societal norms. Such kinds of individuals end up indulging in deviant behaviors, as a way of revenge on the society. Control theory contrasts with the strain theory in that, this theory advocates, that deviant behavior can only be eliminated from the society through proper family backgrounds and institutions like religion to control the society.

Structural functionalists’ theorists argue that a society must have stringent social structures inclusive of economic, bureaucratic, gender compositions amongst others for the society to run. All these structures must work together for the society to function well. Parsons argues that integration of societal norms is voluntary and cannot be imposed on individuals. His argument brings out the idea that people may be detached from their real identities. He poses a question and asks if self identities did not exist, does it mean that the society will have no norms?

In short, Parsons believes that people act from what they strongly feel is the best but not on impositions by the society.