Question
At this point, you should have a beginning idea of how structural-functionalism and conflict theory view society—as a large system—in contrasting ways. To extend your understanding of these insights, read the article by Miller (2000) regarding the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon. Then, answer the questions below.
1. Explain why the Death with Dignity Act is a bad idea, according to the concept of social control within structural functionalism.
2. Explain why the Death with Dignity Act is a good idea, according to the idea of social change within conflict theory.
Solution
Human Behavior and Social Environment
The structural functionalism and conflict theories have different regard to society’s social structures. The functionalism model states that social systems have an adaptation function that allows it to relate to other social systems to acquire stability. A social system unit acts as a whole while maintaining a pattern and tension management. On the other hand, conflict theory views community as a structure characterized by separation and struggles of power (Carter, 2013). The two frameworks indicate a struggle in class, thereby forming an aspect of inequality and exploitation.
According to structural functionalism, social control regarding the Oregon Death with Dignity Act is a bad idea. Notably, the strong social relations and associations between the terminally ill patients and their social systems, like family, should also be considerd. Although the qualitative research data shows a greater desire for hastened death for married respondents, the close members of the terminally ill patients view it as illegal, socially unacceptable, and an early unwarranted end of a family member (Campbell & Gropper, 2011). According to the model, every human is a part of a social system and his/her behavior is embraced or inhibited based on the life-sustaining attributes of the environment.
Conflict’s theory of social change views the Death with Dignity Act as a good idea. According Oregonians (38%) who died after opting for a deadly medical dose, hastened death was a positive health behavior as it alleviated their pain physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Schroepfer, 2008). Consequently, the elderly individuals who were terminally ill conceptualized the act as enhancing the quality of dying process. The standard of their loved ones’ lives was also enhanced through the reduction of the caregiving burden. Therefore, the choice to medically end the elderly’s lives upholds the ideology of conflict theory that emphasizes critical consciousness, a collective action, and the restructuring of the society.
References
Campbell, L., & Gropper, M. (2011). Critical care medicine. Basics of Anesthesia, 665-680. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-1-4377-1614-6.00045-8
Carter, I. (2013). Human behavior in the social environment (6th ed.). AldineTransaction.
Schroepfer, T. A. (2008). Social relationships and their role in the consideration to hasten death. The Gerontologist, 48(5), 612-621. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/48.5.612
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