Sociological Theories Of Divorce: Sociology And Culture

Sociological Theories: Divorce

SOCS-185: Sociology & Culture

Sociological Theories: Divorce

In today’s society, divorce is considered as normal or expected as getting married since almost half of the marriages end up on a divorce according to the Bureau of the Census 1975:64; National Vital Statistics Reports 2010 (Sociology: A Brief Introduction, McGraw-Hill, p.312). A divorce can be a traumatic event for the couple but it is especially hard for the affected children that have to either live with one of the parents or the other. Below I will explain the different Sociological types of divorce included functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives.

Functionalist View
• The government gives more help to single mothers encourage them to divorce and take advantage of the benefits provided such as housing, health and food.

• Divorce is growing acceptance socially wise around the world (Sociology: A Brief Introduction, McGraw-Hill, p.313)

Conflict View

Conflict theorists argue that the social order is based on coercion and exploitation (Sociology: A Brief Introduction, McGraw-Hill, p.17). They emphasize that the couple will suffer economically and the only group that will benefit from this separation is the government because of taxes.

• In a Divorce everybody between the families looses except the taxes the government charges.

• In a divorce is ten times more expensive than getting married making it a profitable business for lawyers.

• Divorce attracts couples as an easy way out other than try to fix personal problems.

• In TV most of the advertisement about divorce is focus on shows and programs directed for low income families.

Interactionist
• Women feel less dependent of their husbands therefore opening the possibility that in the event of a dispute or argument. (Sociology: A Brief Introduction, McGraw-Hill, p.315)

• Many couples might argue in a daily basis but when it comes to a divorce they can come into an agreement for the sake of them and their children. (Sociology: A Brief Introduction, McGraw-Hill, p.314)

• After getting married some men and women realize that they do not want to become highly dependent on any one person—and do not want anyone depending heavily on them. (Sociology: A Brief Introduction, McGraw-Hill, p.315)

Despite their differences, functionalists, conflict theorists, and interactionists would all agree that there is much more to divorce than just signing a piece of paper.

References

Sociology: A Brief Introduction. (2011) Published by McGraw-Hill, an imprint of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., (9th ed.). New York: Author Richard T. Schaefer, p.17

Sociology: A Brief Introduction. (2011) Published by McGraw-Hill, an imprint of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., (9th ed.). New York: Author Richard T. Schaefer,