1. Chapter 2 Interpreting Social Problems: Aging Conflict Theory
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2. Conflict Theory The parts of society do not work together harmoniously
Society’s parts are competing with one another for limited resources
From the conflict perspective, social problems are the natural and inevitable outcome of social struggle
The basis of all social problems is the conflict over limited resources between the more and less powerful
The more powerful exploit society’s resources and oppress the less powerful
Those who are exploited react to their oppression and create more social problems

3. Development of Conflict Theory
Karl Marx – founder of conflict theory
Inspired by the time period of the Industrial Revolution and the struggle for power
Capitalism – when a small group of people gain control over the means of production and make profit their goal
“ This misery is going to lead to a bloody day of reckoning when the workers overthrow their oppressors. The workers will establish a classless society in which the goal will not be profit for the few but, rather, the
good of the many”
~Karl Marx

4. Development of Conflict Theory
Georg Simmel compared the relationships of people who occupy higher positions (superordinates) with those who are in lower positions (subordinates)
argues that conflict also has benefits
Ex.: When the members of a group confront an external threat, they tend to pull together (war)
Lewis Coser analyzed why conflict is especially likely to develop among people who have close relationships with one another
relationships are part of a system in which the parties have worked out expectations about relative power, responsibilities, and rewards
failures to reach expectations can offend one party and lead to conflict

5. Applying Conflict Theory to Social Problems: Social Security
Before machines, older workers were prized for their experience and skill.
Industrial Revolution – machinery – work takes less experience and skill
employers hired younger workers who were willing to work for less pay – fired the elderly who fell into poverty
During the Great Depression Frances Everett Townsend lead a social movement to rally the elderly into a political force
Townsend Clubs demanded old-age pensions
ultimate goal was for the federal government to levy a national sales tax of 2% to provide $200 a month for every person over 65
the elderly’s increased spending would lift the nation out of the Depression

6. Applying Conflict Theory to Social Problems: Social Security
President Franklin Roosevelt responded to the Townsend Plan with his Social Security plan
When conflict theorists analyze a social problem, they look for how interest groups compete for scarce resources.
Ex. political power of the elderly vs. the power of the government

7. Feminist Theory
In the 1970s, sociologists started to apply the conflict perspective to the relationships of women and men
feminist theory examines male-female relationships from the perspective of the powerful oppressing the powerless and the reactions to that oppression
the goal is to change the unequal relationships
Feminists argue that the first step is that women must become aware of how their oppression is rooted in their relationships with men.
The broad historical view focuses on patriarchy, the dominance of men-as-a-group over women-as-a- group
throughout history men have had greater power than women in both public and private spheres and that men have exercised this power to control women

8. The Development of Feminist Theory
In the 1980’s feminist theorists split into several branches:
Radical feminism – we must dismantle society in order to get rid of patriarchy
goal: to free both men and women of rigid gender roles by waging war against patriarchy
negative publicity and stereotype of feminism
Liberal feminism – all people are created equal and deserve access to equal rights
institutions socialize men and women into believing oppressive ideology
Socialist feminism - direct link between capitalism and the oppression of women
rewards go to those in the workplace, not the home – as a result women’s traditional work in the home is not respected

9. The Development of Feminist Theory
Cultural feminism – we need to appreciate the biological differences between men and women
women are inherently kinder and gentler so if women ruled the world, patriarchy, oppression, and capitalism would not exist
Ecofeminism – patriarchy is oppressive not only for women but also for the environment
men want to dominate both women and nature
Ultimate goal: fix the unequal
power relations between men and women

10. Homework: Write a one page reaction to Emma Watson’s speech.
Feminism Today
Emma Watson - UN Speech Launching HeforShe
Homework:
Write a one page
reaction to Emma
Watson’s speech.