I have to do a paper on the functionalist perspective of racism. One of the functions is “Society must invest a good deal of time and money to defend its barriers to the full participation of all members.” Can someone help me to understand exactly what it means?
2006-11-25 03:56:32 · 5 answers · asked by Cantrelle 3 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
Society must invest time and money for all. This is what this statement means. There exists many different tyoes of people, races, cultures, etc. that exist. The defense is for all not just those who are trying to protect it. For example, if the leadership is comprised predominantly by "white" men, they need to invest their time and money to defend the barriers for all, white, black, male female...etc. If this is done and understood that it is done by ALL peoples in that system, then the society has done it's job. Also, the members must do their part by participating in the defense. They cannot sit back and allow a few to do all the work, and then complain that nothing has been accomplished. When society consisting of all people does invest their time and money the defense will work and ALL will be defended.
2006-11-25 06:13:06 · answer #1 · answered by tomarescobar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although racism is an awful thing, you need to look at what "function" it serves in society here when looking with a functionalist perspective. I think the quoted sentence here is saying that the society wouldn't want all of its members participating fully. (perhaps because it would take money and time to equip everyone well enough to participate positively as well as to encourage them to participate or perhaps for other reasons as well)
Racism "serves" to reduce the numbers of people who will fully participate, so basically saves the society time and money which they would invest to reduce the numbers of participators, while the society can still move on (of course, leaving behind those affected by racism).
2006-11-25 04:45:10 · answer #2 · answered by Janelle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Defend to prevent an overthrowing of the government
2006-11-25 04:20:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
people need to spend their time wisely and use their money appropriately in case if they run out in the future
2006-11-25 04:00:39 · answer #4 · answered by leazngurl 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the above answers have explianed this very well.
2006-11-25 06:48:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋