Criticisms of Functionalism

It was more popular in the 1950s. Functionalism declined in popularity because it failed to explain the diversity and conflict that arose in the 1960s.
Similarly, it fails to explain social conflicts in the modern world, such as differing opinions to ethical issues like abortion. However, some functionalists have tried to explain this through subculture; a significant minority share some norms and values with wider society, but may be in opposition to others.
It has been accused of overemphasising consensus and order in society.
Functionalism is too deterministic, because it ignores the freedom of choice individuals have within society. People choose how to act, by what makes sense to them, and although this is affected by socialisation, their culture does not control them.
Functionalism views socialisation as a positive process that never fails, but drug abuse, child abuse and delinquency are still major social problems.
Marxists argue functionalism doesn't show the unequal distribution of power in society - some groups have more wealth and power to impose their norms on less powerful groups.

	Created by Summer Pearce about 8 years ago

A-Level (Year 1) Sociology (1) Introduction to Sociology) Note on Sociological Theories, created by Summer Pearce on 29/09/2016.