Choose one of the following social phenomena and use one of the sociological perspectives to describe it.
Social phenomena:
1. high cost of college tuition
2. gang membership
3. high divorce rate
4. building a wall along the U.S. southern border
Sociological perspectives:
1. functionalism
2. conflict theory
3. interactionist perspective
4. feminist perspective
Example -- I'll explain/describe prostitution from each perspective.
Functionalism: Prostitution creates jobs for law enforcement. It gives otherwise unemployable women a way to support themselves.
Conflict: Prostitutes are typically females controlled by male pimps. Males have power over the prostitutes, their money, and their well-being.
Interactionist: How do you know who is a prostitute? Prostitutes can be identified by their appearance In some cases. The clothes they wear, their make-up and hair, and the way they posture themselves can be signs of their status.
Feminist: Women are exploited by their pimps. They turn over their money and are subject to the pimp. BUT, another feminist version might go like this -- Prostitution gives women the freedom to control their own bodies. It can be a means to independence (if there is no male pimp involved).
Okay. Now it's your turn. Pick one phenomena from the list and one perspective to apply. I expect more than a sentence of two from you!