Discuss the view that the functionalist theory of society, over emphasis both consensus and the socialisation process

Functionalism has been criticized for over emphasising the idea of consensus, and failing to explain the conflict that happens in the world. Conflict can happen anywhere: in the home, in the street, in government or in war, to name a few. Functionalism has also been criticized for looking at socialisation as a positive process, which never fails, and which doesn’t explain, why there is crime, child abuse and illegal drug taking. Functionalism has been criticised of ignoring the freedom of the individual, and taking the view that individuals can’t control what happens to them, and that their behaviour and ideas are imposed on them by structural factors such as; the media, education, and religion. Functionalism may be seen as portraying an over – socialised picture of human beings. Functionalism is a structuralist theory, and believes that the social structure is more important than the individual.

The Functionalist theory of society emphasis’s consensus, or agreement b...