Social Sciences Case Study

Jay has a previous history of involvement in drugs both using and dealing however, has not been involved in any such activity for at least a year. He had managed to get himself a job but following being sacked on suspicion of theft, he assaulted his former boss and has been charged by the police. His girlfriend Lara worries he will return to drug dealing as he is now unemployed, she also worries about the deteriorating condition of their housing and the effect it may have on their children’s health. Lara noted she has less patience with her children possibly resulting from her anxieties about the family’s situation and the negative impact it could be having on her mental well-being. Throughout this essay I aim to provide an understanding of Jay’s current situation looking at it from both a sociological and a criminological perspective. I will also draw upon areas of Social Policy that may improve my understanding of their situation and from these discussions I will outline the implications for social work practice.

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Functionalism seeks to provide a theoretical account of how societies work and function. Many Functionalist theorists have likened the workings of society to that of the human body; each part has a function and works alongside other parts to ensure the overall function is met. For example “ As parts of the body, the heart or liver, for instance, are understood in terms of the function they perform, so social institutions, such as family or schools, have to be understood in terms of their functions for maintaining society.” (Marsh et al, 2000 p.57)
Talcott Parsons formulated his understanding by looking at the positive functions different institutions played in maintaining social order. “ People act on the basis of their values; their actions are orientated and constrained by the values and norms of people around them; and these norms and values are the basis of social order ” (Knapp, 1994 p191-192). However, this

References: Alcock C, Payne S, Sullivan M (2004) Introducing Social Policy. Harlow. Pearson Education Ltd Anderton B, Riley R, Young G (1999) The New Deal for Young People: First Year Analysis of Implications for the Macro economy Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. New York: The Free Press Dominelli, L (1997) Sociology for Social Work DSS (1998) A new contract for welfare: principles into practice. London. The Stationery Office Erikson, K Evans, M.E (2001) Britain: moving towards a work and opportunity-focussed welfare state? Oxford. International Journal of Social Welfare (2001) vol 10. 260-266 Goffman, E (1963) Stigma: Notes on The Management of Spoiled Identity Gregg P (2000) The Scarring Effect of Youth Development. Paper to CASE Social Exclusion Seminar LSE Knapp, P (1994) One World – Many Worlds: Contemporary Sociological Theory Macionis, J and Plummer, K (2008) Sociology: A global Introduction, Pearsons Education Ltd. Marsh, I et al (2000) Sociology: Making sense of society. Harlow. Pearson Education Ltd Merton, R.K Office of Public Sector Information. (nd) Children (Scotland) Act 1995. Retrieved November 29, 2011, from http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/36/section/22 Parsons, T (1964) The Social System Parsons, T (1967) Sociological Theory and Modern Society. New York. Free Press Seigel LJ (2010) Criminology: Theories, patterns and typologies Sunley P, Martin R (2003) The geography of workfare: local labour markets and the New Deal. Swindon. Economic and Social Research Council Wilkinson, D (2003) New Deal for Young People: Evaluation of unemployment flows