Hoopa Can Low-Paying Garment Industry Save Haiti? Jonathan Katz Associated Press February 21, 2010 http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5idZiVQhHcyG1gpBjzXaAmmk4_OtAD9E0Q6I00
This news article illustrates the functionalist approach that I have adopted from earlier scholars. It exemplifies the way in which functionalism uses a macro-sociological focus to demonstrate the importance of institutions and structures within a larger society. Furthermore, it shows how different parts of the society positively contribute to the operation or functioning of the system as a whole, although some individuals may not see it as such.
The Haitian society, like all societies, exists as a biological organism. All elements and individuals within the society can only be understood in terms of the whole, collective society. Each part within the society is important in the maintenance and continuation of the functioning of the whole. The element that is discussed in depth in this article is Haiti's garment industry. Throughout the article, the author reiterates that this is a low-wage industry. Consequently, people may assume that it is trivial and perhaps unnecessary and unimportant in the functioning of the Haitian society. However, the international community and business leaders are wanting to expand its low-wage garment industry in an attempt to recover from the earthquake aftermath. The author considers whether such an industry can "save a reeling country whose economy must be built from scratch".
Just as all institutions and structures are necessary for the functioning of societies, the garment industry is proved to be essential to the economic growth plan for Haiti. Despite its reputation and the fact that it is such a low-wage industry, the article suggests that the sector could produce hundreds of thousands of jobs, suggesting that it is necessary and important for the rebuilding of Haiti. Regardless of whether individuals want to admit it, such industry has the potential for offering opportunities and livelihoods for the people of Haiti. Without it, there would be ramifications and implications that would greatly undermine the rebuilding efforts.
Chichen “How The Men Reacted as the Titanic and Lusitania Went Under” Sindya Bhanoo New York Times March 1st, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/science/02ships.html?ref=science
Popper: As I have argued before, natural science and universal laws govern human instincts. One of the most basic concepts that emphasize human instincts in science is that of “survival of the fittest”. In this article, an emerging study is analyzing survival rates on the Titanic and the Lusitania, comparing the two in terms of the time it took for the ship to sink, as well as the gender, race, class etc of survivors. What the study claims to have found is that less women and children survived on the ship that sank faster, the Lusitania. The study of science and human instincts emphasize that philosophy, religion, and morals have less to do with human behavior than do universal laws – like survival.
Benno Torgler said “when you have to react very, very fast, human instincts are much faster than internalized social norms.” With this in mind, we can throw morals and philosophy out the window, and realize that men, despite social norms to protect women and children, are more likely to save themselves when there is little time to consider social consequences of an action.
However, I must also note that this study is very new and is based on very limited data. It appears as though we must also focus on the two concepts of experimentation that I have mentioned before. First, we shall consider the fallacy of affirming the consequent. It appears as though, based on this limited data, the researchers may have drawn a conclusion based on their expectations, as they only considered a limited range of relationships that may have affected survival. As one critique of the study mentions, group behaviors need to be studied more, as a study of a deadly nightclub fire found that people who were at the club in groups were less likely to survive than those that were there alone. The second concept to consider is the potential falsifiability of the hypothesis. Unfortunately as this study is very new, there is a chance that the outcome is only one of many correlations, that can be explained by other alternative answers.
However, keeping these two concepts in mind, I believe it is safe to say that the researchers are grasping my ideology that science (in this case, “human instincts”) is much more viable than social or religious philosophies in terms of the most universal Truth, survival.
Penny Obama Backs Rewarding Districts That Police Failing Schools Jeff Zeleny New York Times March 1, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/us/02obama.html?ref=us
Parsons This article details the struggles of the social institution, that is the school district/educational system. This, like all the other institutions in society, is necessary for its proper functioning. Many school districts are struggling right now and dealing with bad performance. Because of this, they must go through a process of adaptation. They need to find a new way of teaching students that will help them perform better in the ever-changing environment that is society. Obama is trying to encourage them to do this by giving rewards to the school districts that deal with bad teachers and schools with failing test scores.
Goal attainment is very important if society is to be functional. Failing schools and undedicated teachers are not achieving the goals that are set in place for school systems. So latency comes into place here. There must be motivation for the individuals within a system to follow the rules. Obama is attempting to provide motivation in the form of $900 million in federal grants.
The educational system is a particularly important structure in society because it serves to socialize students. Its importance explains why there are advocacy groups, like the one mentioned in the article, America’s Promise Alliance, whose purpose is to try and lower the dropout rate. At one point in the article, Obama mentions how people’s success rate in life has a very close connection with how educated they are. This is an illustration of social evolution. Those who survive in society are those that best follow the rules and norms. In order to follow the rules and norms, one has to receive a good education. This is why Obama is attempting to find a solution for the school system’s struggles. He even states that in the past one could find a decent job even as a high school dropout, but that no longer holds true. Even though in the article, some, like the American Federation of Teachers, disagree with his methods. They seem to differ on how to best integrate the system. The school system obviously has the goal of retaining students, but it is also meant to employ teachers, and that federation does not seem to think the two should be at odds. These two goals must be integrated.
Talcott Parsons believed there are four imperatives that interact with each other to comprise the functional action systems. Parsons believed these four components were crucial in order for a social system to be able to sustain. In order for a system to survive, the system needs to adapt to changes in the environment, create a system of goals, integrate these goals and changes into society, and must exist and persist over time.
In the United Kingdom, the police are not able to spend as much time as citizens would like patrolling the streets because government bureaucracy is interfering with the police’s ability to work the streets. The current system was able to adapt by incorporating civilians to carry out police duties that do not involve arrests. The goal was to free up the police from administrative duties in order to allow them to keep the streets safer. The ultimate goal was to reduce crime by freeing these police officers from administrative duties that could be fulfilled by citizens without police training. These civilians were integrated into the larger society by being given administrative, forensic, support, and other roles that do not require making actual arrests. The system adjusted to the newly acquired roles by transferring previously held roles of the police officers to newly trained civilians. The police are now able to spend more time keeping society safe while the civilians, who are specifically trained to handle these administrative tasks, are able to perform these tasks just as well, or better, than the police. Not only is this new system surviving, it seems to be thriving. The efficiency of the trained civilians seems to exceed that of the police and the police have been making more arrests. The changes have been incorporated into the larger system and will continue to exist as long as society as a whole has a need for them. The fact that this new system still persists is evidence that it is needed within the greater society.
1. Gecko 2. Rat Out A Tax Cheat, Collect A Reward 3. Blake Ellis 4. CNN 5. March 2, 2010 6. http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/pf/taxes/rat_out_tax_cheat/index.htm?source=cnn_bin&hpt=Sbin
Parsons This article perfectly describes a system that is trying to meet the four imperatives for functional action systems, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS established an informant program that offers people a monetary reward for turning in people who have cheated on their taxes. Rewards are 15% of the amount of money the tax evader owes the IRS. This program has been in effect year round since 2008 and it demonstrates the IRS attempting to adapt to its environment. The environment the IRS must deal with is changing. More people are beginning to consider cheating on their taxes acceptable, according to a poll by the IRS. Although no one ever enjoyed paying taxes, they complied and generally did so legitimately. Now people are more inclined to cheat and the IRS needs to respond to that. They have done so with their informant program. This represents the system changing its environment by making it rewarding for people to inform them about tax evasion. One problem, however, is that the process to report tax fraud involves an incredible amount of detailed information that may prohibit some people from reporting. For example, to report someone you must have intimate details of their tax evasion and you have to provide their social security number. Trying to reduce the number of people who are failing to accurately file their taxes represents the system using goal attainment. The IRS has a goal of collecting taxes from American citizens. With the economic problems brought on by the recession, this goal is being hindered, so the IRS retains this goal and also creates another – catching people for tax fraud. These goals are incredibly important because we heavily rely on the money generated by the IRS to support several programs in this country. The IRS is cleverly relying on pattern maintenance to accomplish their goals. A common norm in this country is to gain material success. The idea to make reporting someone engaging in tax fraud a means to material success was a clever way to integrate the other three functions. Unfortunately, the IRS is not meeting the needs for latency because there are problems with reporting someone who is a tax fraud. Although the IRS will not publicly identify the whistleblowers, those people may be identified when they step forward to claim their rewards. They may also be identified based on the information they provide to the IRS; when the fraud is confronted by the IRS with the informant’s information, the fraud may realize that the information could have only come from one person, the informant. In these circumstances, the repercussions for reporting the tax evasion may outweigh the benefits and prevent people from reporting. If the IRS can address that problem they will be much more likely to achieve integration.
AMEMYLUV Obama's Nuclear Madness and the Future of Clean Energy. Ron Pernick Greenbiz.com 3/2/10 greenbiz.com/blog/2010/03/02/obamas-nuclear-madness-and-clean-energy?
Parson:
Seeing the continual degradation of our energy sources and the crisis that it has ensued we can now analyze how the United State of America is using the 4 imperatives for functional action systems. The first thing that we must take into account is the social importance of the energy crisis. In this day and age we rely on energy for everything, without it we will not be able to live anymore. However the majority of the energy that we use comes from a source that is expendable, it is harmful to the environment and it is wasteful. So now this country must adapt to meet our energy needs. The way in which the president is going to do this is by creating a money incentive to give the nuclear power a jump start. This new use of nuclear power instead of other powers to meet our power needs is a perfect example of adaptation. The other part of the article explains that the reason why Obama is doing this is because we as a nation are trying to achieve a goal of using a more efficient energy source. The government is trying to accomplish this by also keep the demand of energy at the same point that it is right now. This is called goal attainment. The government has a goal to keep the supply of energy while at the same time using a cleaner more efficient energy source. The reason why this is important is that a system most try to exist through a prolong period of time. In order for this country to survive in the long run we are going to need a sustainable energy source that can be replenished. This function of a successful country is called latency. The issue explained in this article is a very good example of how latency, goal attainment, and adaptation are all interrelated with each other. This is relationship is called integration and it is perform as a coherent whole.
1. Apple 2. Obama Offers to Use Some G.O.P. Health Care Proposals 3. David M. Herszenhorn 4. New York Times 5. March 2, 2010 6.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/health/policy/03health.html?hp For systems to survive it is necessary that the structures function together as one being or system. This piece of news demonstrates this exact fact, as President Obama follows what I have defined as my AGIL scheme in making decisions regarding health care proposals.
Firstly, President Obama asserts the need to adapt, as he decides to consider using some proposals presented by his opposing political party, the Grand Old Party. The government as a system would not be able to function relying on only one set way of running things, and thus it must adapt in order to function. Since the democratic proposals for health care were not functioning due to Republican critics, the system had to adapt and Obama has considered using some Republican proposals, such as “increased payments to doctors who treat Medicaid patients.”
Secondly, the purpose of President Obama’s decision was in the interest of goal attainment. The majority party of the government is not only interested in having the government survive, but also in attaining the party’s goals. While the decision to incorporate some of the minority party’s proposal will lessen opposition and aid in goal attainment, Obama stressed this: “Democrats would press ahead with comprehensive legislation over the minority party’s objections.”
Thirdly, it is obvious that the President is relying on integration with this decision. By diversifying the health care plan with the use of some Republican ideas, Obama is trying to control the interrelationship between the different components (the ideals of the two main parties) of the government. Integrating the ideas of both parties will allow the health care plan to be more successful.
Lastly, this decision has ignited and renewed the motivation of the members of the government in the idea that “Yes, health care reform can happen!” President Obama is allowing his system to function better than it may have before by employing my AGIL scheme.
october $238 billion loss for U.S. mail; Saturday delivery may end Annalyn Censky CNN Money 3-2-10 http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/news/economy/usps/
Parsons
An important system within America's government, the United States Postal Service, might have to start downgrading from delivering mail six days a week to only five days a week, completely removing delivery on Saturdays. Possible losses of up to 238 billion dollars are likely to occur in the next 10 years. It seems as though USPS must go through the 4 imperatives in order to gain balance for functioning.
Many changes are occurring with how mail is being distributed and read. The post office must be prepared to adapt to what is going on around them. For instance, the internet has become more widely used for communication, letting customers use the comforts and ease of email. With customers turning to cheaper options, first-class mail may have to go through some modifications since standard mail is becoming more widely used. Adaptation is key in order for USPS to stay successful.
In order to stay afloat, the United States Post Office must set goals. One in mind that USPS mentions is to “revamp its outdated business model”. In order to do so, it is turning to having mail cut down another day. Instead of having the distribution of mail occur 6 days a week, something that might be done is to eliminate mail delivery on Saturdays.
While it may be easier said than done, in order to integrate these changes and goals, budgets will have to happen. An increase in stamp pricing is something that is being looked at even though 44 cents is the "locked price" for this year (2010). Employment within the USPS is at an intense point at the moment. From hiring freezes to cutting payroll of current workforce, times are going to be rough in order to try to get everything balanced.
Though it seems like the worst has already started to occur, the United States Postal Service has existed for many years and will continue to do so. Providing mail has been of most importance for many generations. It will do everything in its power to have things go as smoothly as possible in the hopes of continuing its latent pattern maintenance.
1. Enfinity 2. The Hard and the Soft 3. David Brooks 4. The New York Times 5. March 1, 2010 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/opinion/02brooks.html
Popper:
Like an organism society is made up of parts that are essential to the functioning of the whole. Each element of society serves as a necessary function for the maintenance and perpetuation of the society. This can be seen in the Winter Olympics. Norwegians have won more gold medals in Winter Games, and more Winter Olympics medals over all, than people from any other nation. A contribution to this excellence can be seen in the story of Jan Baalsrud. On his mission to sneak back into Norway to help the anti-Nazi resistance he was faced with many hardships such as having to swim in ice cold waters while trying to escape Nazis, climbing an icy mountain, and being buried in an avalanche. Throughout all of this he survived with the help of dozens of Norwegians. Baalsrud displayed an unbelievable level of hardheaded toughness and resilience which could have been passed down from generation to generation which may have led to the Norwegians’ achievement of excellence in the Winter Olympics. These traits served as a necessary function in Norwegian society when it came time for them to compete in the Olympics. This story also makes it apparent that negative social arrangements are probably contributing something needed in the larger system. The many hardships faced by Jan Baalsrud turned out to benefit the Norwegian society in the long run.
Zapheros “Death toll at 795 in Chile quake, government says” Ana Maria Luengo-Romero, Sara Sidner and Soledad O'Brien CNN 3/2/2010 http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/02/chile.earthquake/index.html?hpt=T2
Parson: Through this terrible tragedy one can observe Chile's government struggle to maintain the integrity of its society. The government officials are quite clearly and explicitly stating societal imperatives to help manage this crisis, goal attainments defined by the society but aimed outside of the individual. Among countless other needs, the government has highlighted field hospitals, generators, and temporary housing for their many displaced citizens. Related to these attempts to stabilize Chile are the latency efforts of the Chile army. They are being allocated across the country in major cities in order to cut down on looting and other crime. These efforts are meant to restore a sense of safety and comfort in the minds of their citizens even as they attempt to care for the bodily needs of new refugees. In a way these latency efforts almost take precedence over realigning the goals of society to reach people's physical needs. In times of crisis the average citizen needs to be assured that the society is still functioning, that norms and laws are being maintained. To lose of sense of that is to lose the firm foundation upon which each of us stands upon and clings desperately to, even if we do not acknowledge this to ourselves. The efforts of goal attainment and latency are facilitated by an increase in the integration of government and private services. By having the military, federal, and NGO cooperate together and under a uni vocal leadership of the state quicker actions can be taken to accomplish these new goals rather than being slowed down by normal bureaucracy and independence. Of course none of this would have been possible if Chile had not remembered the most important characteristic of a society to maintain, adaptability. Chile has stood above more impoverished South American nations, generously donating money and resources, but can now clearly see their own desperate needs. Chile has unhesitatingly reached out to North American and European nations to help provide suddenly scarce resources. If the government had become prideful and stubborn, countless citizens may have suffered or died. Adaptability is great gateway to all of the other key functions within a society.
Muffin UN warns HIV/AIDS leading cause of death in women No Author Listed BBC News March 3, 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8546655.stm
The United Nations program on HIV/AIDS has seen a need for adaptation in order to help women live disease-free longer. It has been shown that more women worldwide are affected by HIV/AIDS than men. It has also been found that violence against these women may lend a hand in the occurrence of these deadly diseases. The UNAids has reached a decision on goal attainment in order to help decrease the amount of women living with HIV/AIDS, as well as decreasing violence against women that may lead to these diseases. The problem is that “HIV services do not respond to the specific needs of women and girls”. The goal to solve this problem is firstly to change the way women and girls are treated; try to stop violence against them; and then to try to get programs that DO respond to their specific needs if they do get infected with HIV/AIDS. To obtain these goals, the UN program on HIV/AIDS will collect data on these women all around the world and integrate the issue of violence against women into the HIV prevention programs for these women. To solve the problem of so many women being subjected to violence and therefore, diseases, these new programs must exist over time. The programs can not exist for a short amount of time to change anything. It must continue over the course of time in order to help future generations of women to live longer, healthier lives.
MissMD TiVo to offer boxes that go beyond the recorder Brad Stone New York Times March 2, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/technology/03tivo.html?ref=technology
Parsons TiVo, pioneer of the digital voice recorder (DVR) , is currently in the process of releasing another “set-top box that combines traditional television programming with a vast array of content from the web.” This new set-top box called TiVo Premiere will feature both cable and satellite programming as well as web contents from YouTube, Amazon.com, Netflix and Blockbuster. In this age of technological advancement where the majority of people are now using the internet as their primary means of entertainment, cable and satellite companies are losing customers through this therefore as a result the corporate headquarters of TiVo must adapt to the changes regarding how people view and consume television shows. Also with cable providers entering the market and providing their customers with DVR’s with their set-top box, TiVo must adapt to this new environment where consumers easily have access to these boxes for much cheaper prices.
In order to adapt and to increase the number of subscribers TiVo has set a goal in which to accomplish that and transform the competition between them and cable/satellite companies. Corporate has identified the goal and began the process of attaining that goal through the new box TiVo Premiere as well as other special features on the remote control that allows subscribers to zoom through advertisements, more hours of recording and web content.
TiVo integrates by controlling the places that these new boxes are sold at as well as the prices and subscription cost. As the our environment changes and technology advances, it appears TiVo will practice latency through examination of sales and upgrades so that they will continually be able to perform and compete with cable and satellite companies, if those things even still exist in the future considering the state of our economy and the fact that people have access to all of these shows on internet websites such as YouTube, Hulu and Fancast.
Elephant Human Culture, an Evolutionary Force Nicholas Wade New York Time 3/1/10 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/science/02evo.html I have said time and time again these people are just ridiculous! Science and science alone can explain life and human behavior, the slowed progression of human evolution is just based on the definition of evolution. Human beings evolve when evolution is necessary, yes technology has let us depend less on our biological selves but that is all. We just have not needed pointier teeth, or opposable thumbs, but when something comes up when we need to we will. Technology has not made human beings stop evolving, and human beings alone did not start or stop it. It is nature, and nature let us develop technology, and developing technology itself is a form of evolution. This cultural nonsense is nothing Science is the way, not Society. Social Constructs like Religion mean nothing. We are not affecting evolution this is just a effect of us trying to control science
Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 3rd, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parson:
I believe that as humans we are born into a society that has set roles and specific socialization. For example, for decades it has not been acceptable for a man and a woman to move together until they are officially married. There is no law that states that two individuals can not live together until they are husband and wife, but our society has socialized us to believe so. Our society has made it a rule that only husband and wife can live together. This idea eventually evolved to a collection of expected behaviors, attitudes, and norms associated with this position in our social structure. The fact that such a role has been created is very damaging because couples are constantly in fear of not abiding by the rules that are expected of them from society. Societal expectations could make an individual feel as if they are not free, but yet they are playing a part in the societal structure.
To elaborate on this idea, an article that I read went into deeper details concerning this topic. The article is entitled, “Most Couples Living Together Marry”. The author states that the latest statistics from the federal government show that more young couples are living together outside marriage than ever before. But even though they are living together before establishing a commitment, it turns out that most of the couples will end up getting married. There is even a strong likelihood of them getting married if they have similar backgrounds in terms of race and education, if they are older, if they have at least a bachelor's degree, and if they have a child. I believe this is solely because cohabitation is no longer considered fringe behavior. We can clearly see that there has been a change in our society as time has gone passed. Years ago, only the poor and the outcast who were living together. One great thing about this idea is that marriage still seems to be the goal for all cohabiters. Despite the widespread and increasing popularity of living together without being married, marriage remains a mainstay of the U.S. population. Among those men and women who were living together, federal researchers report a 51 percent chance that they will end up marrying within three years, and a 65 percent chance they will marry within five years.
Cloud 123 Mapping the Waste from Pizza and Sandwiches Greenbiz Staff Greenbiz.com March 2, 2010 http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/03/02/mapping-waste-pizza-and-sandwiches?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Greenbuzz+%28GreenBiz+Feed%29
Parsons: It has become common knowledge in the world of theory that my most revered theory revolves around the four imperatives of the action system. Above all else, I believe most strongly in the cultural system, as I like to refer to myself as a “cultural determinist,” but I also believe that the societal system, personality system, and behavioral organism all contribute to the function of our structure in everyday society and as a community of individuals. These four imperatives of my action system include adaption, goal attainment, integration, and latency and pattern maintenance.
My theory can be applied to most any subject that is relative to social or cultural structures, and this holds true for the case of waste in our environment and the steps that we, as a global social community, need to take in order to reduce that waste and clean up our world. The article says that in the United Kingdom, food and research groups are coming together to examine how much waste we are creating by the types of food we eat on a daily basis, most notable pizza, sandwiches and frozen and refrigerated meals. They will investigate all of the resources that are wasted and then discover how to minimize that waste to help our environment. Charlotte Henderson, the manager of WRAP's Retail Supply Chain Programme, was quoted as saying “identifying where waste is generated, and the reasons why, will help the development of effective solutions which are tailored to these products, with learnings then applied across the category.”
Clearly, these four imperatives that I so strongly believe in can be highlighted in this example. Once this research is conducted and WRAP has discovered ways in which to minimize waste, our global system must adapt, taking into account the first imperative, adaptation. It can be noted that this is directly related to my notion of the behavioral organism, as we have to adjust to our external world. This is essential for the world we live in, because if our environment is not clean or livable, we will not be able to live in it. We either have to adjust to our environment, or we have to adjust our environment to our needs. Our needs are clean, breathable air, and we need to clean up the mess in order to live healthier and sustain our society.
Once WRAP has identified the ways in which to resolve the waste problem, authorities in the food industry, as well as government authorities, need to step in and create a system of goal attainment, my second imperative. In this stage the authorities are responsible for providing ways to attain our goal of a clean, healthier world. Integration in our social system is also necessary in the process, to make sure that while this goal of minimizing waste is being attained, all the parts of the system to create a cleaner environment are integrated into one functional system. This way, the process will run smoothly and all of these interrelated parts can be put to use together to achieve the final goal. The last imperative that I stress is latency, in which we need to sustain individual motivation to minimize waste once we have initially done so. This involves changing cultural norms in society, such as values and beliefs of individual members, so that every person is aware of the collective values to not trash our environment, to recycle, and to adhere to the solutions that WRAP has come up with in their research to sustain and maintain a liveable, waste-free society Earth.
Buckley “Two Cheers for Wal-Marts CO2 Pledge” Marc Gunther www.greenbiz.com 2/25/10 http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/02/25/two-cheers-walmarts-co2-pledge?page=0%2C1 Parsons: Since Wal-Mart is one of the largest corporations in America, it can be considered an integral part of our system. Wal-Mart’s new green initiative demonstrates all four activities necessary for the survival of Wal-Mart and consequently the survival of our American system as we know it. The first function, adaptation, is demonstrated by Wal-Mart’s overarching goal of eliminating 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas. The effects of greenhouse gas emission are rapidly becoming realized in the United States, and the need to take care of our environment is being recognized. The next aspect, goal attainment, can be determined in a closer look at Wal-Mart’s reasoning behind this pledge. Wal-Mart wants to grow and expand. Wal-Mart is expanding into other countries, and the reality behind corporations and America is the need for growth and profit. So, if you fit the first two goals together, you come up with the third aspect of the system, integration. In order to reach both of these goals, Wal-Mart has integrated the two with this pledge. Not only is it good for the environment, but it is good for growth, as well. People want to hear that the companies they invest in are green. This is an idea associated with latency, the fourth and final part of these functional imperatives. Being ‘green’ has become a new norm or value for American culture. Maintaining this dedication to being ‘green’ and the environment keeps Wal-Mart on top.
Sting Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Popper
This article used research similar, or rather, did use my “Scientific Method” of inductive research. Inductive is making use of observations to create general ideas about something specific. Using research to determine whether or not couples that live together end up consenting to marriage takes much experimentation on the subject’s, or variable’s, side as well as the scientist’s. The idea of men and women (or men and men or women and women) waiting until marriage to move in together is a society rule governed by the church(s). That is religion, which I conceive to be nonsense. Only through natural science do I find truthful ideas. In experimenting with a person by playing house, people can learn if they can in fact live the rest of his/her life or live for at least ten years with his/her chosen partner. Through this personal research, people can more easily decide whether a marriage partnership is viable. Not through experimentation did scientists find this answer of people being more likely to marry with a great and long lasting achievement, but by observation, quantitative research, and face-to-face encounters. Children were an important variable in keeping families together too, but the study showed people were also more likely to stay together if partners married alike, as in race, background, and education. The thought of children being raised in a two parent home heightening their chance of keeping long marriages themselves, was, in my opinion, a fallacy of affirming the consequences, because the study then found that there was no relation between men staying married and having a past in growing up in a two-parent home. As society and culture changes, so do the universal laws that govern human interaction.
Stopngo43 Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024 The outcome is to be expected. As times shift, so does the standards established. People are merely playing their roles. While living together unmarried is just the role that they felt was most comfortably since it is really convenient for people and gives them a chance to be together without the commitment of marriage. They are essentially playing the roles of husband and wife just without that namesake. If their relationship continues to work they are bound to get married to each other. It really does not seem all that surprising. Cohabiting and living as a married couple doesn’t change much in their lives since they continue playing the same roles with only a few changes such as filing taxes as a couple or shared benefits.
JH1988 Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons
Couples cohabitating, despite stigma, are still likely to get married. This is because the latent function of cohabitation is understanding how to make a marriage work. couples who do not live together before marriage are typically unaware of their significant others habits and tendencies. The transition from living together to marriage is adapting their environment to fit their needs. Being married can present some fiscal and social benefits that a partnership cannot offer. American culture defines marriage as a clear goal, and this shows that it is still a goal that many couples seek to achieve. The article discusses that this phenomenon of premarital cohabitation used to be the practice of social outcasts and the poor who needed the combined incomes. This evolution of practicing living together is an integration of outside ideas into the mainstream social sytem. the latent functions are more marriages, and marriages lasting longer. Each step of a relationship has a function, marriage has a function to society as well. Marriages are a market in America, from the engagement ring to the bridal showers to bacheolor parties, to the ceremony, all the way to the honeymoon and thank you cards. Mariages generate a lot of revenue and spending which is very good for the economy. Relationships, for the most part generate children and can boost the morale of individuals, they also give reasons for having jobs, outside of individual gain, having a partner or someone to spend on gives people a reason to go to work. "My wife and I would love to go to vegas for a vacation." Without a job there is no money to make the wife happy. reproducing the population is a critical factor of relationships. But not only are relationships responsible for repopulation, they are also supposed to help with socialization.
JH1988 Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons
Couples cohabitating, despite stigma, are still likely to get married. This is because the latent function of cohabitation is understanding how to make a marriage work. couples who do not live together before marriage are typically unaware of their significant others habits and tendencies. The transition from living together to marriage is adapting their environment to fit their needs. Being married can present some fiscal and social benefits that a partnership cannot offer. American culture defines marriage as a clear goal, and this shows that it is still a goal that many couples seek to achieve. The article discusses that this phenomenon of premarital cohabitation used to be the practice of social outcasts and the poor who needed the combined incomes. This evolution of practicing living together is an integration of outside ideas into the mainstream social sytem. the latent functions are more marriages, and marriages lasting longer. Each step of a relationship has a function, marriage has a function to society as well. Marriages are a market in America, from the engagement ring to the bridal showers to bacheolor parties, to the ceremony, all the way to the honeymoon and thank you cards. Mariages generate a lot of revenue and spending which is very good for the economy. Relationships, for the most part generate children and can boost the morale of individuals, they also give reasons for having jobs, outside of individual gain, having a partner or someone to spend on gives people a reason to go to work. "My wife and I would love to go to vegas for a vacation." Without a job there is no money to make the wife happy. reproducing the population is a critical factor of relationships. But not only are relationships responsible for repopulation, they are also supposed to help with socialization.
CKES Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Relationships are a social system whose norms and values are seemingly static, but this is not the case. This system varies from culture to culture, and in American society, the values, norms, and expectations often vary from generation to generation. Relationships act as a social system in that it has actors that perform various roles which are governed by norms. While in a relationship, males and females are the actors whose behaviors are guided by what they think will make their target a willing partner in this relationship. The ultimate goal of a relationship is marriage, and this in itself creates a hierarchy. Married couples sit atop of the hierarchy while couples in a new relationship are at the bottom. Aside from the legal benefits of marriage, a relationship in which the couple is married is regarded as more legitimate than the other relationships in the system. The accepted belief in society is that the prevailing goal is to someday become married.
This article comments on the practice of cohabitation in our society. Although this practice has been in existence for a while, it was usually regarded as deviant because cohabitation was only acceptable for married couples. This perception changed as more couples are deciding to prolong marriage. Rather than being deviant in today's society, cohabitation is now accepted, or even expected. Some consider it a prerequisite for marriage. By accepting cohabitation as a part of its system, it has successfully adapted to its environment and maintained equilibrium; both of which are crucial to the survival of the system. Cohabitation has now found its niche in the system, providing couples with a "test run" to determine if they can coexist in the same dwelling before they are even married. As a result, this will decrease the divorce rate as couples who don't successfully cohabit will most likely break up or not marry if they decide to stay together. This practice now becomes an interdependent part of the system, allowing it remain in existence.
woohoo Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 2, 2010 http://npr.org/remplates.story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Poppers
In today's world many young couples are living together. But the interesting thing about it is that they are not just living together with the outcome being marriage. The article states that one of the main reasons why this is going on is because there is a greater acceptance about it. The reason i feel this is the case is because people are realizing that it is not so horrid, as once thought. There is this tolerance that is being built with people realizing this. And that fact that living together prior to marriage seems to work for so many people,their isn't really a good reason why one shouldn't do it. This is an example of my theory being applied. Falsifiability it truly being applied in this situation. It cannot truly be proven that living together before marriage is better than not. But until it is proven that living together is better of worst than not living together until marriage, no one can truly say on it better than the other. The people that were interviewed in the article seem to have a bias that living together is truly better. However there are many people around the world that would disagree because of their own experience. I think that much more has to be researched on this topic. The researched that has to be done to thoroughly look at it is the scientific method. In using this scientific method one has to make sure that they are not setting up the study in such a way that it may support their hypothesis (the fallacy of affirming the consequent. Also, they need to setup a hypothesis that is testable, being able to prove or disprove (the falsifiability criterion for hypothesis). I do not feel that this article is proof enough that living together before marriage is the way to go. It didn't look at the other side of the debate. It was unable to find truth with a capital T.
CKES Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons
Relationships are a social system whose norms and values are seemingly static, but this is not the case. This system varies from culture to culture, and in American society, the values, norms, and expectations often vary from generation to generation. Relationships act as a social system in that it has actors that perform various roles which are governed by norms. While in a relationship, males and females are the actors whose behaviors are guided by what they think will make their target a willing partner in this relationship. The ultimate goal of a relationship is marriage, and this in itself creates a hierarchy. Married couples sit atop of the hierarchy while couples in a new relationship are at the bottom. Aside from the legal benefits of marriage, a relationship in which the couple is married is regarded as more legitimate than the other relationships in the system. The accepted belief in society is that the prevailing goal is to someday become married.
This article comments on the practice of cohabitation in our society. Although this practice has been in existence for a while, it was usually regarded as deviant because cohabitation was only acceptable for married couples. This perception changed as more couples are deciding to prolong marriage. Rather than being deviant in today's society, cohabitation is now accepted, or even expected. Some consider it a prerequisite for marriage. By accepting cohabitation as a part of its system, it has successfully adapted to its environment and maintained equilibrium; both of which are crucial to the survival of the system. Cohabitation has now found its niche in the system, providing couples with a "test run" to determine if they can coexist in the same dwelling before they are even married. As a result, this will decrease the divorce rate as couples who don't successfully cohabit will most likely break up or not marry if they decide to stay together. This practice now becomes an interdependent part of the system, allowing it remain in existence.
Casper Eateries Move to Address Mountains of Food and Water Waste Author: Luke Walsh GreenBiz.com March 02, 2010 http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/03/02/eateries-move-address-mountains-food-and-water-waste?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Greenbuzz+%28GreenBiz+Feed%29
Parsons: United Kingdom restaurants are clearly showing signs of a functional action system. There are four imperatives that work together in order to function. First, the system has to set a goal. The goal of the restaurant industry in the UK is to reduce the excessive amount of food waste that comes along with their current system. Second, the system must adapt to changes in the environment. The restaurants are adapting to the current global recession and trying to not only create a more sustainable environment, but reduce their costs as well. Third, is the idea of latency and the pattern of creating and maintaining the system's cultural values. The UK has a social culture and people enjoy going to restaurants with friends or family while enjoying a positive dining atmosphere. The restaurants strive to provide a satisfying dining experience for the community and constantly work to maintain such standards. Finally the last imperative is integration. The very recent creation of the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) is integration of all the other aspects of the system. According to one restaurant manager, "the SRA gives us the support and confidence to make positive changes". Thus, the SRA oversees the component parts and ensures that the system reaches its goal of becoming more sustainable.
1. Smlongbb 2. Obama Backs Rewarding Districts That Police Failing Schools 3. Jeff Zeleny 4. Gainesville Sun 5. March 2, 2010 6. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100302/ZNYT02/3023018/-1/NEWS03?Title=Obama-Backs-Rewarding-Districts-That-Police-Failing-Schools
The role of education, serves as a function within society to provide a forum, where teachers, students and scholars throughout the world, are able to evaluate and learn about past, present, current issues from a balanced and comparative social, cultural and economic perspective. In order to analyze education within society, we must first address its four systems, cultural, social, personality, and behavioral. These four things can and must change with the environment in order to have society properly function. In society most people highly value education. Education is not voluntary in most cases, but in cases where attained by choice, it is still of high value and worth. Children are mandated by law (social order) to attend elementary, middle, and high school within America. Within the article, President Obama has used his power and status to challenge America’s public school system. Too many schools are failing and in turn failing the students of public school system. He wants the government to take action against underperforming teachers and failing schools. President Obama is trying to set in place a plan to motivate school to do better and is using his power to create incentives for that change and progress. I feel that in order for this to happen one system must adapt and adjust its structure to progress, or in this case to help the students who are failing. The main purpose for this is goal attainment. For years in education, there have been goals set and less reached, and as a society a system must set and REACH goals, and if this does not occur it can weaken the systems in place for society to properly function. If schools take action and try to strengthen their roles and function better they will achieve more success with their students. And because nothing is free, there must be incentives in place for change to happen and mobilize and use the resources given to us to achieve a successful functioning system.
1. Smlongbb 2. Obama Backs Rewarding Districts That Police Failing Schools 3. Jeff Zeleny 4. Gainesville Sun 5. March 2, 2010 6. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100302/ZNYT02/3023018/-1/NEWS03?Title=Obama-Backs-Rewarding-Districts-That-Police-Failing-Schools
Parsons The role of education, serves as a function within society to provide a forum, where teachers, students and scholars throughout the world, are able to evaluate and learn about past, present, current issues from a balanced and comparative social, cultural and economic perspective. In order to analyze education within society, we must first address its four systems, cultural, social, personality, and behavioral. These four things can and must change with the environment in order to have society properly function. In society most people highly value education. Education is not voluntary in most cases, but in cases where attained by choice, it is still of high value and worth. Children are mandated by law (social order) to attend elementary, middle, and high school within America. Within the article, President Obama has used his power and status to challenge America’s public school system. Too many schools are failing and in turn failing the students of public school system. He wants the government to take action against underperforming teachers and failing schools. President Obama is trying to set in place a plan to motivate school to do better and is using his power to create incentives for that change and progress. I feel that in order for this to happen one system must adapt and adjust its structure to progress, or in this case to help the students who are failing. The main purpose for this is goal attainment. For years in education, there have been goals set and less reached, and as a society a system must set and REACH goals, and if this does not occur it can weaken the systems in place for society to properly function. If schools take action and try to strengthen their roles and function better they will achieve more success with their students. And because nothing is free, there must be incentives in place for change to happen and mobilize and use the resources given to us to achieve a successful functioning system.
SongBird TigerText: An iPhone App for Cheating Spouses? By Belinda Luscombe CNN February 25, 2010 http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1968233,00.html?cnn=yes
Parsons
This article talked about a new app that was recently introduced to iPhone users. The app is currently under speculation from society because although it was originally made to secure people’s privacy many others are contesting that it is an app for those who cheat on their spouses or partners in relationships. The app that is called "TigerText" has the ability to automatically delete "certain" text messages within minutes of viewing the sent text. As a social theorist I would have to say that for those who are speculating about the misuse of this new app by cheaters and liars we also have to keep in mind the very fragile social structure that can be damaged if one is caught cheating on a partner or spouse. This system is very important and functions as both the social norm and what we value as a society, which is the family structure. If this new TigerText app is adapted into our society it has the ability to produce a latent function of less divorces, abuse, and overall broken homes. Although our cultural norms are against cheating and deception this new system could produce if the goal is attained, a privacy that can not only help people maintain their social roles and norms, but also for just $2.50 can save the family structure.
Wangmu Report: most couples living together marry Patti Neighmon NPR March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons
There has been an increasing amount of attention brought to the institution of marriage recently. Past generations have seen different courting norms that were in place before marriage than the current generation now. Since there has been a rise in divorces, and marriage serves an important function in our society, establishing partnerships that will reproduce, it is societies gradual evolution from primitive to modern that has seen this new view on co-habitation before marriage. From a previous generation that had uncertainty at the apex of marriage, we now see a trend towards information. Information on your partner, yourself, and information as to wether the relationship has lasting ability. With this thought, it makes sense then that survival of the fittest has changed to now have the lasting relationships become the ones that have previously lived together and received that breadth of knowledge. We must make sure though, to not make haste. Our society is constantly searching and functioning at its peak in equilibrium. For this reason, relationships that follow older more conservative patterns of courtship are necessary too. They are there to serve as representations of what is no longer working. Their presence is needed because their example will help cement the new and gradually evolving societal norms on courtship that in the future, how near is yet to be seen, will become integrated into our societies socialization.Arguably no one in society can escape from the need to reproduce or to fulfill our role in our societal contracts, yet every piece of the puzzle is necessary to establish our end goal; the continuation of the human species.
1. HalfPint 2. Ruling Restricts Clean Water Act, Foiling EPA 3. Charles Duhigg and Janet Roberts 4. NY Times 5. February 28, 2010 6. www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/us/01water.html
Parsons:
Over the course of the past four years, the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency through the Clean Air Act have been diluted. While this act has largely prevented major polluters from dumping toxins into the nation's water ways, it is losing its ability to prevent this corporate dumping in many of these waterways because of changes in the Clean Air Act. The changes make it difficult for the EPA to prove jurisdiction in regulating the cleanliness in many of the bodies of water in the United States.
While it is indeed true that corporations have begun to dump toxins into the waterways because of the newly relaxed regulations, and that the toxins in these waterways may reach the drinking water of city-dwellers, these lax regulations do have their benefits.
Now that corporations can use cheaper methods of getting rid of wastes (i.e. dumping them in the water), they will have less expenditures. This decrease in expenditures can be translated into a number of different benefits for society. For example, the money saved can go into higher wages or increased benefits for the workers in these companies. This will lead to higher incomes and all its associated benefits (e.g. decreased crime rates, lower levels of poverty, better overall health, etc.). The money saved from reduction in expenditures could also be allocated to improving the facilities and functioning of the corporation, which would lead to greater efficiency and increased worker output and satisfaction. This would lead to a better overall working environment. The corporation could also use this extra money to hire more workers, which would lead to a decrease in unemployment in neighboring cities, and subsequently, a decrease in poverty. The money could also be used to increase the salaries of the executives in the corporation, which would enhance their motivation for improving and expanding the company or would lead to increased investments in the company's stock due to its increased profits.
Altogether, the fact that when given the choice, corporations choose to dump wastes in the cheapest way possible (e.g. in the waterways) is a testament to the reality that even corporate dumping has its functions in society. While it has its downsides, it also has many upsides. If corporate dumping did not benefit society, it would no longer be occurring in the United States.
Babydoll Obama's Nuclear Madness and the Future of Clean Energy. Ron Pernick Greenbiz.com March 2, 2010 greenbiz.com/blog/2010/03/02/obamas-nuclear-madness-and-clean-energy?
In the United States, energy sources are very important parts of the economy and life in general. It is the force that drives manufacturing, the exchange of goods and services and it powers businesses and other significant institutions. The United States spends billions of dollars each year on energy. This is probably why America is experiencing a decline of energy availability. As a result, we can observe America’s attempt to use the four imperatives that comprise the functional action systems. The seriousness of this issue has been recognized by society and the government who then decided that in order for our social system to survive we need to adapt to crucial changes within the environment. President Obama has created a plan to revive the nuclear power industry in the United States. His plan is to create a money incentive for nuclear power plants in order to give them a kick-start. He wants to stimulate change that will hopefully be able to provide energy more efficiently than what we have experienced in the past. This demonstrates adoption to sustain, system goals and the integration of the two.
Sasha Gay Marriage is Now Legal in Washington Ian Urbina New York Times March 3rd 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/pages/national/index.html
Parsons:
This article is perfect for the theories Parsons advocated. Gay marriage has been a huge issue for a long period of time. According to Marx, society works by revolution and conflict, which is essentially how many things in America come about change; however, the recent Marriage law in Washington proves Parsons right. In this instance, social change occurred because a community finally agreed upon a certain aspect of life for certain individuals and let them join hands in matrimony. Due to this extensive period of cooperation between the gay community, gay marriage is now legal; one major reason people have been fighting and petitioning for years. As Mr. Heath said, “Marriage gives us peace of mind. It gives my family security that we deserve.” Being married has a certain status in the law that grants you and your family rights that regular couples do not receive. It also enables the family to establish more concrete roles than before, such as a “father” and “mother” –type figure and a “brother” or “sister” –like figure. Although these are tiny, insignificant details that most straight couples take advantage of, as Mr. Heath said, they make a huge difference to the couples who have worked so hard to establish these roles.
Babydoll Obama's Nuclear Madness and the Future of Clean Energy. Ron Pernick Greenbiz.com March 2, 2010 greenbiz.com/blog/2010/03/02/obamas-nuclear-madness-and-clean-energy?
Parsons: In the United States, energy sources are very important parts of the economy and life in general. It is the force that drives manufacturing, the exchange of goods and services and it powers businesses and other significant institutions. The United States spends billions of dollars each year on energy. This is probably why America is experiencing a decline of energy availability. As a result, we can observe America’s attempt to use the four imperatives that comprise the functional action systems. The seriousness of this issue has been recognized by society and the government who then decided that in order for our social system to survive we need to adapt to crucial changes within the environment. President Obama has created a plan to revive the nuclear power industry in the United States. His plan is to create a money incentive for nuclear power plants in order to give them a kick-start. He wants to stimulate change that will hopefully be able to provide energy more efficiently than what we have experienced in the past. This demonstrates adoption to sustain, system goals and the integration of the two.
Dr. Mo44 Former 'No Child Left Behind' Advocate Turns Critic Steve Inskeep NPR.org March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124209100&ps=cprs Parson: The “No Child Left Behind” Act was created to give students hope that the American Dream can be obtained in the public school system, has turned out to be a disaster. No longer are schools working together to build a great community, they are competing against each other to resources. With no child left behind, there is great emphasis on numbers; higher test schools mean more rewards. In order for a school system to be successful, there has to be some collectiveness and not “survival of the fittest” between student and teachers with schools in their same district or school system. With this structure many students can take on difficult roles. For example, if a student is at an “F” school, they may take on the role of an “F" student because they may internalize the fact that they are at an underachieving. Schools systems should incorporate functions in order to succeed at educating children, not separate and categorize them because they are in a marginalized position. The school systems are becoming more of a marketplace than a place that educates children of the next generation. Students are no longer taking on the role as a student, but as numbers who are only as good as what they produce. The “status quo” is the only mission that’s looking to be accomplished, not what's best for the students. To conclude, this article was very insightful and related to Parson on the fact that schools systems are actually NOT working together to bring about something that works better with all things tied into one
House Social Security Administration opens new office to serve customers from the North Jeff B. Flinn San Antonio Express March 3, 2010 http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northeast/86232237.html
Parsons
I believe that there are 4 imperatives for Functional Action Systems: adaption, goal attainment, integration, and latency. With this, any system can prosper and become a valuable commodity in this world. Adaption: a system must be able to adapt through the times and change with the environment. It must set goals and must integrate itself and its recipients. Lastly a system must last throughout the ever changing times. With that said, Social Security seemed to be able to contain all these attributes, until now.
Although there are persistent problems that hinder Social Security from expanding, they are making changes to it to serve their beneficiaries more sufficiently. They are expanding to serve the far North Side San Antonio. They have seen their faults and continue to change with the times to fit the communities in a more proficient way. In a time of turmoil, the opening of a new branch not only brings convenience into the picture, but it creates jobs allowing the community to rely on this system a little more. I believe through positive actions any system can overcome its downsides and Social Security is trying to do this. The benefits that can be applied for at this branch include, but are not limited to applications for retirement and disability benefits, Social Security number assignment, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and monthly benefits for disability and survivors benefits. Since Social Security has come to its turning point, they have been trying new things to salvage their program, and by following my sets I believe that they will overcome this period in their program, and come out of it stronger than ever.
House Social Security Administration opens new office to serve customers from the North Jeff B. Flinn San Antonio Express March 3, 2010 http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northeast/86232237.html
Parsons
I believe that there are 4 imperatives for Functional Action Systems: adaption, goal attainment, integration, and latency. With this, any system can prosper and become a valuable commodity in this world. Adaption: a system must be able to adapt through the times and change with the environment. It must set goals and must integrate itself and its recipients. Lastly a system must last throughout the ever changing times. With that said, Social Security seemed to be able to contain all these attributes, until now.
Although there are persistent problems that hinder Social Security from expanding, they are making changes to it to serve their beneficiaries more sufficiently. They are expanding to serve the far North Side San Antonio. They have seen their faults and continue to change with the times to fit the communities in a more proficient way. In a time of turmoil, the opening of a new branch not only brings convenience into the picture, but it creates jobs allowing the community to rely on this system a little more. I believe through positive actions any system can overcome its downsides and Social Security is trying to do this. The benefits that can be applied for at this branch include, but are not limited to applications for retirement and disability benefits, Social Security number assignment, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and monthly benefits for disability and survivors benefits. Since Social Security has come to its turning point, they have been trying new things to salvage their program, and by following my sets I believe that they will overcome this period in their program, and come out of it stronger than ever.
Juice2135 “Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry” Patti Neighmond NPR March 3, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Summary: Recent studies have shown that there is an increasing trend among cohabiting couples: marriage. While the strong assertion is made that cohabitation itself is a practice that is relatively new, a change brought about within only one generation, there is also increasing evidence that this may lead to marriage more and more, thus acting as a sort of “stepping-stone” towards marriage, which remains the ultimate goal for many young people. Particularly interesting, is the report that these numbers (cohabitation, then marriage) are much more drastic when the pair has more similar backgrounds, based on age, race, and education. Moreover, probability of marriage increases if the couple is of the same race, slightly older, and have both completed a bachelor’s degree (this applies even more if they have a child).
Ruby Courts should offer domestic violence victims mediation for divorce Mary Adkins Slate Magazine March 3, 2010 http://www.slate.com/id/2246708/?from=rss Parsons: This article illustrates Parson’s thought process that “we really aren’t free.” We are governed by the court systems and what they feel is the best solution, as in this scenario where domestic violence victims for a period of time were not offered mediation due to fear. When it comes to domestic violence against women, it is very difficult to determine the best way to handle it and I think that the court system prior to the 90’s did a poor job of making sure these women were protected. In the recent years they have adapted to the changes only due to studies and surveys of women that had to deal with laws not protecting them previously. Women in this case were not given the freedom to request mediation even though it may have helped, because the courts made the decision that it would be in their best interest to not have to face their abuser in a confined mediation room. This has later proven to be a mistake and now the courts have implemented a much better system where mediation will work if the mediators are more actively involved during this process. The article also discusses the fact that with mediation it was less expensive than litigation yet they did not offer it in some states. These are all examples that as a society we are not free and are restricted to roles and socialization.
Juice2135 “Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry” Patti Neighmond NPR March 3, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons: These statistics on the changing atmosphere of cohabitation and marriage allow for an analysis within my Functional Action Systems framework. The four functions (adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency) are all both present in this piece, and integral to the function of the individuals studied in it. Marriage as an institution provides many positive aspects (companionship, economic stability, an environment conducive to reproduction, a stable medium for the education and socialization of children, etc.) for individuals who, as a result, decide to act to take part in the structure and functioning of this institution. Thus, we see the direct connection between this macro-level institution and the micro-level actions of individuals within it. However, adaptation demands that systems adjust to the environment and simultaneously adjust the environment to fit its own needs. Thus, we see the rise of cohabitation, both as an acceptable form of dating and living within society, and as a widely practiced “technique” for romantic living and development among individuals. Andrew Cherlin, a sociologist at Johns Hopkins University asserts that, “cohabitation is no longer considered fringe behavior. In fact, he says, it's widely accepted now,” and is quoted as saying that, “Just a few decades ago (…) it was really only the beatniks, bohemians, the poor and the outcast who were living together.” So, we see that cohabitation could be an individual adaptation to both personal and economic changes that have created tension. With the falling rate of “successful” marriages and the rising rate of divorce, cohabitation could be a means by which individuals assure a “good match” before the “point of no return.” To be sure, Cherlin expands on the generational change, telling that, “he would have been surprised if his daughter had not lived with her boyfriend before getting married.” However, the economic challenges that could be seen as having forced the beatniks, bohemians, and the poor to cohabitate now have a similar effect on society at large: while individuals do not marry (until later) they can still enjoy the benefits (economic and otherwise) of cohabitation. This is essentially a near-perfect adaptation. Goal attainment, integration, and latency all have very closely related functions in this case in particular. We see that marriage as an institution is still hegemonically ideal in society, both for practical purposes, and because, according to Cherlin, "You don't see many long-term cohabitating relationships that just last and last, because people want that ring and that honeymoon and that party to show themselves that they've achieved what, in America, is a first-class personal life." Thus, the goal of marriage as an acceptable, ideal institution (way of life for the individual) is maintained. We see, then, that goal-setting is informed by integration as well as latency. Integration plays the role of regulating the adaptation and goal attainment as informed by the latent aspect of the system (which Cherlin refers to when he speaks of the “first-class personal life correlated with marriage,” a hegemonic ideal): as cohabitation increases, it must be integrated into the preexisting acceptable norm of marriage so as to disturb equilibrium only minimally.
tweak "Gay Marriage is Now Legal in Washington." Ian Urbina The New York Times March 3, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/us/04marriage.html
Parsons
Parsons believed that functional action systems operate when the system has the ability to be adaptable to reaching its set goals, and has the ability to integrate these goals into society insomuch as to make them persistent and stable. Although people critique Parsons theory for 'maintaining the status quo', I think Parsons himself would feel that his theory supports social change. As of today, same-sex marriages are now legal in Washington, which is the sixth state thus far to allow them. These continuing changes in state policy throughout the U.S. reflect Parsons idea of adaptability--the U.S. is slowing adapting to it's environmental changes, which is the changing statuses of LGBT individuals. These changing statuses reflect one of the main societal goals of the United States, which is equal, human rights to all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, race, class, SES, etc. To effectively integrate these goals into society, Parsons suggests that the normative values and roles of a society must also adapt. It is obvious that this has started to happen as it is becoming more socially acceptable for LGBT individuals to both cohabit and marry. It is also becoming more acceptable to just be an open LBGT individual, which has altered family and gender roles, as well as the institution of marriage. In order for these changes in the ideas about normative gender, marriage, and family roles to persist, public policy changes in conjunction with societal acceptance is mandatory. Parsons would say that new legislation to allow LGBT individuals to marry reflects the inevitable persistence of these new norms, which reflects the adaptability of our society.
JSCODE Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Karl Popper, best known in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s for his theories on logical positivism, believed that philosophy and religion were nonsense and that universal laws governed human interaction. Popper also inspired discussions that functions of society served and allowed society to perpetuate and maintain social structure. Talcott Parsons took Popper’s theories to the next level, describing some functions that maintain society as family, crime, inequality, and education. The article I have chosen regards couples choosing to marry following cohabitation for an extended period of time. The most common factors that contribute toward the decision to marry are race, education, children, and education, to name a few. Certainly, the morals and values of adults in this generation are very different from our ancestors; however, this cultural change, according to Parsons’ philosophy, is a necessary contribution to societal structure. Just as society needs unmarried couples, illegitimate children, married couples, divorced couples, and a multitude of styles of living, so does society require alternate living circumstances to function. Without many aspects of society, social order, whether positive or negative, would not function properly. The article argues that couples who have children in the first years of their marriage are most likely to celebrate a 10th anniversary than those who are without children. Parsons might argue that these results are not conclusive enough to determine the future of a couple cohabitating before marriage or even lasting during a marriage. Parsons might conclude that societies’ values are likely to shift again in coming generations, just as it shifted from previous generations. Overall, society needs negative and positive aspects to function and maintain order.
StudentA Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry Patti Neighmond NPR March 3, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons:
The American society has become very accepting to cohabitation before marriage. It is now a norm for a man and a woman to live together without being married, when only a few decades ago, those couples would be considered deviants. The social system of relationships is evolving to adapt to the liberal behavior and practices of modern day society. With that said, partners are open-minded to testing the waters of a marriage lifestyle without official ties to their partner.
The roles of each partner play a significant part in these societal changes. The roles of women include the ability to sustain a marriage. The article revealed that when parents are married while their daughters are 14, subsequently, their daughters are more likely to maintain a marriage for ten years or more. There are no correlation between men and their upbringings; however, men do hold roles as well. The particular roles these partner share within their cohabitation predetermines their roles after marriage. For instance, both partners may have to work to maintain a substantial income, which reflect their post marriage financial responsibilities. The woman may be required to perform cooking and house keeping duties, where as, the man may be required to perform outdoor duties. This concept coincides with the social rules of society and how we allow these rules to govern our lives. We are not necessarily free in this social system. We are not free to invite other people into the place of our cohabitation and participate in romantic or any deviant marital behavior.
In our cultural system, we value marriage that has not change. Our ultimate goal in a cohabitation relationship is to finally put a ring on the finger. Although we have changed the way we achieve marriage, cohabitation has a two out of three probability of being successful.
Hence, society is changing for the better. I understand that many people criticize my optimism in social evolution, however, the success rate of marriages justifies my optimism.
1. MrTK 2. Obama Offers to Use Some G.O.P. Health Care Proposals 3. David M. Herszenhorn 4. New York Times 5. March 2, 2010 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/health/policy/03health.html?hp
Parsons
If you look at my AGIL scheme you will be able to compare the work President Obama is doing in this article to my scheme. In my AGIL scheme I tried to find an easy solution to any problem having it survive without losing respect to its environment. Obama is doing just that by offering this health care proposal.
According to the article Obama shows us the first part of my AGIL scheme by adapting. The way he adapts is by using suggestions that were presented by the Republicans. Right here Obama shows that he is making a decision that is in the best interest of the people and puts his personal beliefs to the side. One suggestion he wants to use is having health care professionals pose as patients in undercover stings to root out fraud.
Next he uses goal attainment by trying to reach the goals of both the government and the Republican Party. Even though he will do things differently, he is still trying to make sure that government survives. He uses the integration step of AGIL by using the republicans’ idea for the health care issue. Had he not integrated this idea then the health care plan might fail and he will get fingers pointed at him as to why he did not do this in the first place.
So in conclusion, by using the AGIL scheme you can make a comparison for each step and see that President Obama might use this scheme in his plans to make his tenure a lot better.
Codeword: Minina Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry By: Patti Neighmond NPR March 2, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
These individuals who have decided to marry after cohabitating clearly demonstrate how their lives are constrained and in fact are not free because of the needs of the social system. These two individuals are influenced by the social values and cultural values that exist in America. Due to the social system that exists in this country these individuals marry in order to have status and clearly defined roles within this system, husband and wife. As it is evident marriage is part of the social system, during these times individuals still long to be married and demonstrate to the world that they in fact have a “first-class personal life.” In the social system, usually the couples that cohabitate must adapt with each other and fully adapt into a marriage due to the fact that this is what the external social world they live in requires. Even though individuals decide to live together before marriage, they set goals to move towards marriage since this what is required by the social system they live in. Cohabitation among couples before marriage has become a whole component for the American social system. Marriage is has existed and continues to be part of a social system and this is reflected by the individuals who continue to present this behavior of wanting to marry. They take up roles and attitudes assigned to it which in the end helps in their integration and socialization within the social system.
1.Aaron 2.Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry 3.Patti Neighmond 4.NPR 5.March 2, 2010 6.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Popper
The major emphasis of this article is on the finding that cohabitation has become more common than it was in the past. Within one generation, cohabitation has become the norm. Researchers also found that the majority of those cohabitating would later get married. Cohabitation clearly has a function in society now, whereas it may not have had a function previously. Cohabitation has clearly adapted to changes in the environment since it was once unacceptable and is now the norm. In the 1970’s, cohabitation was not common; however, there were still people who lived together before marriage. Something must have changed. Perhaps the system of cohabitation was able to adapt as the population adapted. Divorce started to become more common in the 1970’s; perhaps it was at that point that people realized they needed to spend time together before marriage. Thus, cohabitation was able to adapt and provide people a way of spending more time together and getting to know eachother before marriage. Again, cohabitation did exist before it became common. It existed and persisted throughout time and finally became commonplace. Other structural functionists may say that the manifest function of cohabitation is to experience living together before making a formal commitment to live together forever. Thus, many entering cohabitation may be trying to attain the goal of a long-lasting marriage. The system goal would be longer marriages and the resource to attain longer marriages was cohabitation.
Cronus Paterson Broke Ethics Law on Receiving Gifts, Panel Charges By Nicholas Confessore and David M. Halbfinger New York Times March 3, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/nyregion/04paterson.html?hp?hp
Parsons..
Now this is a real work of art. I found out today that a government official was charged for violating his state ethics laws. What a wonderful world we live in today, when the people we vote into office are not living up to their role in society. I believe that everyone has a role to play in our society. Like if everyone is a piece of a puzzle, which is our society. It’s not complete without all the pieces. This guy has to learn the hard way that we aren’t really free. We’re constrained by the needs of the social system.
Apparently, the state Commission on Public Integrity charged Governor David A. Paterson on Wednesday for his crime. The issue was that the governor secured free tickets to the opening game of the World Series from the Yankees last fall for himself and others. He clearly did not fully integrate into our social system because of his lack of moral. Or maybe he did and that type of behavior is what most government officials are acting on. Only he just got caught.
The worse part about Governor Paterson’s situation is that he was already involved in a scandal. Now, because of his multiple offenses, he is in the hot seat.
1. StudentB 2. Girls Gone Anti-Feminist 3. Susan J. Douglas 4. In These Times 5. February 22, 2010 6. http://inthesetimes.com/article/5575/girls_gone_anti-feminist
Parsons: Feminism arose as a response to gender inequality, a system in society. Nowadays, people might think that we are beyond the need for feminism and have achieved equal statuses for women in society, but Douglas argues in her article that since the early 1990s the media has come to overrepresent women as having attained professional and sexual equality, as the top five jobs for women in 1999 were remain secretaries, elementary/middle school teachers, registered nurses, and cashiers/retail sales people. And in terms of income, a year out of college, women earn 80 percent of what men do, and 10 years out, 69 percent. Also, television shows often display sexism in made ways, both obvious and subtle. Women remain especially constrained by their needs of acceptance in society, but the pattern of male superiority and the objectification of women by the media remains, and antifeminism has become latent in society, even for women who are accomplished, smart and ambitious. The media has made cultural systemno longer value traditionally feminine personality traits (like being passive, helpless, docile, overly emotional, dumb and deferential to men), but hyperfeminine physical traits (like cleavage, short skirts, pouty lips) and the proper logos linking this femininity to social acceptance. In the personality system of society it remains that women are defined by their bodies, And consequently remain second-class citizens. The mass media exaggerates certain kinds of stories, people, values and attitudes, while minimizing others or rendering them invisible. This remaining lack of gender equality prevents proper socialization on a micro-level, and consequently prevents true and comprehensive social unity macro-level.
sweetmay South Africa 2010 - 100 days and counting unwritten CNN march 2, 2010 http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/03/02/football.world.cup.south.africa/index.html
Parsons:
According to the article, it is about 100 days before the time of the first World Cup to be taken place in Africa. However, people working on the project worry and they think South Africa will not be ready to hold such a large global event within 100 days. In 2004, South Africa held the soccer tournament, but there were also many critics argued about lack of infrastructures and their inability to be as host of world event.
I would like to make some personal suggestions to South Africa by using my theory. According to my AGIL paradigm, there are four important elements (AGIL) for the system to be formed and worked well. First one is adaptation, next one is goal attainment, third one is integration, and last one is latent pattern maintenance and tension management. For example, adaptation will be explained in this situation as function of gathering enough supplies, preparing sufficient services and conditions of stadium. Goal attainment will be function of leadership as main person. It is important to have leader who gather others. Then, integration is function of communication among persons working on this project and teamwork of them. If there is no teamwork, it is impossible for them to hold such a popular event. Finally, latent pattern maintenance and tension management can be explained as function of reflection and rechecking by concept of administration. I believe that if there are all four elements working correctly and balanced interactions between them, the first World Cup is surely succeed in South Africa.
sweetmay South Africa 2010 - 100 days and counting unwritten CNN march 2, 2010 http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/03/02/football.world.cup.south.africa/index.html
Parsons:
According to the article, it is about 100 days before the time of the first World Cup to be taken place in Africa. However, people working on the project worry and they think South Africa will not be ready to hold such a large global event within 100 days. In 2004, South Africa held the soccer tournament, but there were also many critics argued about lack of infrastructures and their inability to be as host of world event.
I would like to make some personal suggestions to South Africa by using my theory. According to my AGIL paradigm, there are four important elements (AGIL) for the system to be formed and worked well. First one is adaptation, next one is goal attainment, third one is integration, and last one is latent pattern maintenance and tension management. For example, adaptation will be explained in this situation as function of gathering enough supplies, preparing sufficient services and conditions of stadium. Goal attainment will be function of leadership as main person. It is important to have leader who gather others. Then, integration is function of communication among persons working on this project and teamwork of them. If there is no teamwork, it is impossible for them to hold such a popular event. Finally, latent pattern maintenance and tension management can be explained as function of reflection and rechecking by concept of administration. I believe that if there are all four elements working correctly and balanced interactions between them, the first World Cup is surely succeed in South Africa.
1. MickeyDog 2. Hopes for Alzheimer’s Drug Are Dashed 3. ANDREW POLLACK 4. NEW YORK TIMES 5. March 3, 2010 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/business/04drug.html?hp
Alzheimers Diease is a problem that has long plagued mankind and scientist have been working diligently to cure the disease. The Russians came very close to developing that cure but in its late test trials stages their medication failed. Karl Popper would say that the scientist testing the drug should have focused more on the "falsifiability" of the research methods by using more verification in the previous steps of trial testing. Since we are dealing with an ancient disease we must not use basic empirical assumptions, we must extend our research toward critical rationalism of every minor detail until we can move toward last stage test trials. Parson who expanded on Kopper's views, would say that more functions of society (such as other organizations, other countries) have to help contribute towards the research in order to facilitate the function of curing Alzheimer.
1. Loveme 2. Old Age, From Youth’s Narrow Prism 3. MARC E. AGRONIN, M.D. 4. The New York Times 5. March 2, 2010 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/health/02case.html
Parsons, In our society and culture, old age is often stigmatized. As stated in the article "Old Age, From Youth’s Narrow Prism," we connect death, depression and lonliness with old age, when in actuality age brings wisdom and meaning to life. When we think of nursing homes, we think of life coming to an end, but Dr. Marc E. Agronin says that in his experience at nursing homes, that many of the elderly residents are happy, and are not concerned with death. I believe that a person must be able to adapt to their new environment. When we move from youth to old age, we learn to adjust and transform the external world. No matter what our age may be, we all play an important role in the social structure. We internalize our roles and rules, and this determines how well we socialize in our society. When we reach old age, we are not expected to do much, and we are sometimes erased from society; being in a nursing home is sometimes the new environment we must adapt to, and we do this either extremely well, or extremely bad. Being old, and living in a nursing home allows for the elderly to create their own new society, and not be criticized for their age and their role in society, according to the norms established by society's youth.
At the top of each post you must list the following information: 1. Your Codeword 2. Title of the news article you choose (see suggestions below) 3. Author of the news article 4. Source of the news article 5. Date of the news article 6. Link (url) to the news article
Those six lines should be followed by your reflection from the perspective of the social theorist you choose from the list of options for each due date. A reflection is not a summary. Instead, what you are expected to do is to thoroughly read the news article of your choice and reflect on it from the perspective of one of the assigned Social Theorists. Note that your reflection may include a bit of summary, but it must not consist entirely of summarizing the article. Good reflections will analyze the issue discussed in the article from the perspective of one of the assigned Social Theorists; outstanding posts will even take the voice (write in the tone and style of) the Social Theorist. Reflections should be a minimum of one paragraph. They must be posted no later than 4pm on the due date below and the article you choose must have been published within two weeks of the due date. There are 3 points possible of Extra Credit for each post.
#1 - W. 9/29 - Marx, Engels, Durkheim #2 - W. 10/13 - Weber, Gilman, Dubois, Cooper, James, Cooley, Mead #3 - W. 10/20 - Popper, Parsons #4 - W. 11/10 - Mills, Habermas #5 - W. 11/17 - Berger & Luckman, Garfinkel, Goffman
Hoopa
ReplyDeleteCan Low-Paying Garment Industry Save Haiti?
Jonathan Katz
Associated Press
February 21, 2010
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5idZiVQhHcyG1gpBjzXaAmmk4_OtAD9E0Q6I00
This news article illustrates the functionalist approach that I have adopted from earlier scholars. It exemplifies the way in which functionalism uses a macro-sociological focus to demonstrate the importance of institutions and structures within a larger society. Furthermore, it shows how different parts of the society positively contribute to the operation or functioning of the system as a whole, although some individuals may not see it as such.
The Haitian society, like all societies, exists as a biological organism. All elements and individuals within the society can only be understood in terms of the whole, collective society. Each part within the society is important in the maintenance and continuation of the functioning of the whole. The element that is discussed in depth in this article is Haiti's garment industry. Throughout the article, the author reiterates that this is a low-wage industry. Consequently, people may assume that it is trivial and perhaps unnecessary and unimportant in the functioning of the Haitian society. However, the international community and business leaders are wanting to expand its low-wage garment industry in an attempt to recover from the earthquake aftermath. The author considers whether such an industry can "save a reeling country whose economy must be built from scratch".
Just as all institutions and structures are necessary for the functioning of societies, the garment industry is proved to be essential to the economic growth plan for Haiti. Despite its reputation and the fact that it is such a low-wage industry, the article suggests that the sector could produce hundreds of thousands of jobs, suggesting that it is necessary and important for the rebuilding of Haiti. Regardless of whether individuals want to admit it, such industry has the potential for offering opportunities and livelihoods for the people of Haiti. Without it, there would be ramifications and implications that would greatly undermine the rebuilding efforts.
Chichen
ReplyDelete“How The Men Reacted as the Titanic and Lusitania Went Under”
Sindya Bhanoo
New York Times
March 1st, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/science/02ships.html?ref=science
Popper:
As I have argued before, natural science and universal laws govern human instincts. One of the most basic concepts that emphasize human instincts in science is that of “survival of the fittest”. In this article, an emerging study is analyzing survival rates on the Titanic and the Lusitania, comparing the two in terms of the time it took for the ship to sink, as well as the gender, race, class etc of survivors. What the study claims to have found is that less women and children survived on the ship that sank faster, the Lusitania. The study of science and human instincts emphasize that philosophy, religion, and morals have less to do with human behavior than do universal laws – like survival.
Benno Torgler said “when you have to react very, very fast, human instincts are much faster than internalized social norms.” With this in mind, we can throw morals and philosophy out the window, and realize that men, despite social norms to protect women and children, are more likely to save themselves when there is little time to consider social consequences of an action.
However, I must also note that this study is very new and is based on very limited data. It appears as though we must also focus on the two concepts of experimentation that I have mentioned before. First, we shall consider the fallacy of affirming the consequent. It appears as though, based on this limited data, the researchers may have drawn a conclusion based on their expectations, as they only considered a limited range of relationships that may have affected survival. As one critique of the study mentions, group behaviors need to be studied more, as a study of a deadly nightclub fire found that people who were at the club in groups were less likely to survive than those that were there alone. The second concept to consider is the potential falsifiability of the hypothesis. Unfortunately as this study is very new, there is a chance that the outcome is only one of many correlations, that can be explained by other alternative answers.
However, keeping these two concepts in mind, I believe it is safe to say that the researchers are grasping my ideology that science (in this case, “human instincts”) is much more viable than social or religious philosophies in terms of the most universal Truth, survival.
Penny
ReplyDeleteObama Backs Rewarding Districts That Police Failing Schools
Jeff Zeleny
New York Times
March 1, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/us/02obama.html?ref=us
Parsons
This article details the struggles of the social institution, that is the school district/educational system. This, like all the other institutions in society, is necessary for its proper functioning. Many school districts are struggling right now and dealing with bad performance. Because of this, they must go through a process of adaptation. They need to find a new way of teaching students that will help them perform better in the ever-changing environment that is society. Obama is trying to encourage them to do this by giving rewards to the school districts that deal with bad teachers and schools with failing test scores.
Goal attainment is very important if society is to be functional. Failing schools and undedicated teachers are not achieving the goals that are set in place for school systems. So latency comes into place here. There must be motivation for the individuals within a system to follow the rules. Obama is attempting to provide motivation in the form of $900 million in federal grants.
The educational system is a particularly important structure in society because it serves to socialize students. Its importance explains why there are advocacy groups, like the one mentioned in the article, America’s Promise Alliance, whose purpose is to try and lower the dropout rate. At one point in the article, Obama mentions how people’s success rate in life has a very close connection with how educated they are. This is an illustration of social evolution. Those who survive in society are those that best follow the rules and norms. In order to follow the rules and norms, one has to receive a good education. This is why Obama is attempting to find a solution for the school system’s struggles. He even states that in the past one could find a decent job even as a high school dropout, but that no longer holds true. Even though in the article, some, like the American Federation of Teachers, disagree with his methods. They seem to differ on how to best integrate the system. The school system obviously has the goal of retaining students, but it is also meant to employ teachers, and that federation does not seem to think the two should be at odds. These two goals must be integrated.
Wrldsyrs
ReplyDeleteCivilians form a vital part of police
No author provided
BNet
2 March 2010
http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/herald-the-glasgow-uk/mi_8039/is_20100302/civilians-form-vital-police/ai_n50375418/?tag=content;col1
Talcott Parsons –
Talcott Parsons believed there are four imperatives that interact with each other to comprise the functional action systems. Parsons believed these four components were crucial in order for a social system to be able to sustain. In order for a system to survive, the system needs to adapt to changes in the environment, create a system of goals, integrate these goals and changes into society, and must exist and persist over time.
In the United Kingdom, the police are not able to spend as much time as citizens would like patrolling the streets because government bureaucracy is interfering with the police’s ability to work the streets. The current system was able to adapt by incorporating civilians to carry out police duties that do not involve arrests. The goal was to free up the police from administrative duties in order to allow them to keep the streets safer. The ultimate goal was to reduce crime by freeing these police officers from administrative duties that could be fulfilled by citizens without police training. These civilians were integrated into the larger society by being given administrative, forensic, support, and other roles that do not require making actual arrests. The system adjusted to the newly acquired roles by transferring previously held roles of the police officers to newly trained civilians. The police are now able to spend more time keeping society safe while the civilians, who are specifically trained to handle these administrative tasks, are able to perform these tasks just as well, or better, than the police. Not only is this new system surviving, it seems to be thriving. The efficiency of the trained civilians seems to exceed that of the police and the police have been making more arrests. The changes have been incorporated into the larger system and will continue to exist as long as society as a whole has a need for them. The fact that this new system still persists is evidence that it is needed within the greater society.
1. Gecko
ReplyDelete2. Rat Out A Tax Cheat, Collect A Reward
3. Blake Ellis
4. CNN
5. March 2, 2010
6. http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/pf/taxes/rat_out_tax_cheat/index.htm?source=cnn_bin&hpt=Sbin
Parsons
This article perfectly describes a system that is trying to meet the four imperatives for functional action systems, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS established an informant program that offers people a monetary reward for turning in people who have cheated on their taxes. Rewards are 15% of the amount of money the tax evader owes the IRS. This program has been in effect year round since 2008 and it demonstrates the IRS attempting to adapt to its environment.
The environment the IRS must deal with is changing. More people are beginning to consider cheating on their taxes acceptable, according to a poll by the IRS. Although no one ever enjoyed paying taxes, they complied and generally did so legitimately. Now people are more inclined to cheat and the IRS needs to respond to that. They have done so with their informant program. This represents the system changing its environment by making it rewarding for people to inform them about tax evasion. One problem, however, is that the process to report tax fraud involves an incredible amount of detailed information that may prohibit some people from reporting. For example, to report someone you must have intimate details of their tax evasion and you have to provide their social security number.
Trying to reduce the number of people who are failing to accurately file their taxes represents the system using goal attainment. The IRS has a goal of collecting taxes from American citizens. With the economic problems brought on by the recession, this goal is being hindered, so the IRS retains this goal and also creates another – catching people for tax fraud. These goals are incredibly important because we heavily rely on the money generated by the IRS to support several programs in this country.
The IRS is cleverly relying on pattern maintenance to accomplish their goals. A common norm in this country is to gain material success. The idea to make reporting someone engaging in tax fraud a means to material success was a clever way to integrate the other three functions. Unfortunately, the IRS is not meeting the needs for latency because there are problems with reporting someone who is a tax fraud. Although the IRS will not publicly identify the whistleblowers, those people may be identified when they step forward to claim their rewards. They may also be identified based on the information they provide to the IRS; when the fraud is confronted by the IRS with the informant’s information, the fraud may realize that the information could have only come from one person, the informant. In these circumstances, the repercussions for reporting the tax evasion may outweigh the benefits and prevent people from reporting. If the IRS can address that problem they will be much more likely to achieve integration.
AMEMYLUV
ReplyDeleteObama's Nuclear Madness and the Future of Clean Energy.
Ron Pernick
Greenbiz.com
3/2/10
greenbiz.com/blog/2010/03/02/obamas-nuclear-madness-and-clean-energy?
Parson:
Seeing the continual degradation of our energy sources and the crisis that it has ensued we can now analyze how the United State of America is using the 4 imperatives for functional action systems. The first thing that we must take into account is the social importance of the energy crisis. In this day and age we rely on energy for everything, without it we will not be able to live anymore. However the majority of the energy that we use comes from a source that is expendable, it is harmful to the environment and it is wasteful. So now this country must adapt to meet our energy needs. The way in which the president is going to do this is by creating a money incentive to give the nuclear power a jump start. This new use of nuclear power instead of other powers to meet our power needs is a perfect example of adaptation.
The other part of the article explains that the reason why Obama is doing this is because we as a nation are trying to achieve a goal of using a more efficient energy source. The government is trying to accomplish this by also keep the demand of energy at the same point that it is right now. This is called goal attainment. The government has a goal to keep the supply of energy while at the same time using a cleaner more efficient energy source.
The reason why this is important is that a system most try to exist through a prolong period of time. In order for this country to survive in the long run we are going to need a sustainable energy source that can be replenished. This function of a successful country is called latency.
The issue explained in this article is a very good example of how latency, goal attainment, and adaptation are all interrelated with each other. This is relationship is called integration and it is perform as a coherent whole.
1. Apple
ReplyDelete2. Obama Offers to Use Some G.O.P. Health Care Proposals
3. David M. Herszenhorn
4. New York Times
5. March 2, 2010
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/health/policy/03health.html?hp
For systems to survive it is necessary that the structures function together as one being or system. This piece of news demonstrates this exact fact, as President Obama follows what I have defined as my AGIL scheme in making decisions regarding health care proposals.
Firstly, President Obama asserts the need to adapt, as he decides to consider using some proposals presented by his opposing political party, the Grand Old Party. The government as a system would not be able to function relying on only one set way of running things, and thus it must adapt in order to function. Since the democratic proposals for health care were not functioning due to Republican critics, the system had to adapt and Obama has considered using some Republican proposals, such as “increased payments to doctors who treat Medicaid patients.”
Secondly, the purpose of President Obama’s decision was in the interest of goal attainment. The majority party of the government is not only interested in having the government survive, but also in attaining the party’s goals. While the decision to incorporate some of the minority party’s proposal will lessen opposition and aid in goal attainment, Obama stressed this: “Democrats would press ahead with comprehensive legislation over the minority party’s objections.”
Thirdly, it is obvious that the President is relying on integration with this decision. By diversifying the health care plan with the use of some Republican ideas, Obama is trying to control the interrelationship between the different components (the ideals of the two main parties) of the government. Integrating the ideas of both parties will allow the health care plan to be more successful.
Lastly, this decision has ignited and renewed the motivation of the members of the government in the idea that “Yes, health care reform can happen!” President Obama is allowing his system to function better than it may have before by employing my AGIL scheme.
-Parsons
october
ReplyDelete$238 billion loss for U.S. mail; Saturday delivery may end
Annalyn Censky
CNN Money
3-2-10
http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/news/economy/usps/
Parsons
An important system within America's government, the United States Postal Service, might have to start downgrading from delivering mail six days a week to only five days a week, completely removing delivery on Saturdays. Possible losses of up to 238 billion dollars are likely to occur in the next 10 years. It seems as though USPS must go through the 4 imperatives in order to gain balance for functioning.
Many changes are occurring with how mail is being distributed and read. The post office must be prepared to adapt to what is going on around them. For instance, the internet has become more widely used for communication, letting customers use the comforts and ease of email. With customers turning to cheaper options, first-class mail may have to go through some modifications since standard mail is becoming more widely used. Adaptation is key in order for USPS to stay successful.
In order to stay afloat, the United States Post Office must set goals. One in mind that USPS mentions is to “revamp its outdated business model”. In order to do so, it is turning to having mail cut down another day. Instead of having the distribution of mail occur 6 days a week, something that might be done is to eliminate mail delivery on Saturdays.
While it may be easier said than done, in order to integrate these changes and goals, budgets will have to happen. An increase in stamp pricing is something that is being looked at even though 44 cents is the "locked price" for this year (2010). Employment within the USPS is at an intense point at the moment. From hiring freezes to cutting payroll of current workforce, times are going to be rough in order to try to get everything balanced.
Though it seems like the worst has already started to occur, the United States Postal Service has existed for many years and will continue to do so. Providing mail has been of most importance for many generations. It will do everything in its power to have things go as smoothly as possible in the hopes of continuing its latent pattern maintenance.
1. Enfinity
ReplyDelete2. The Hard and the Soft
3. David Brooks
4. The New York Times
5. March 1, 2010
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/opinion/02brooks.html
Popper:
Like an organism society is made up of parts that are essential to the functioning of the whole. Each element of society serves as a necessary function for the maintenance and perpetuation of the society. This can be seen in the Winter Olympics. Norwegians have won more gold medals in Winter Games, and more Winter Olympics medals over all, than people from any other nation. A contribution to this excellence can be seen in the story of Jan Baalsrud. On his mission to sneak back into Norway to help the anti-Nazi resistance he was faced with many hardships such as having to swim in ice cold waters while trying to escape Nazis, climbing an icy mountain, and being buried in an avalanche. Throughout all of this he survived with the help of dozens of Norwegians. Baalsrud displayed an unbelievable level of hardheaded toughness and resilience which could have been passed down from generation to generation which may have led to the Norwegians’ achievement of excellence in the Winter Olympics. These traits served as a necessary function in Norwegian society when it came time for them to compete in the Olympics. This story also makes it apparent that negative social arrangements are probably contributing something needed in the larger system. The many hardships faced by Jan Baalsrud turned out to benefit the Norwegian society in the long run.
Zapheros
ReplyDelete“Death toll at 795 in Chile quake, government says”
Ana Maria Luengo-Romero, Sara Sidner and Soledad O'Brien
CNN
3/2/2010
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/02/chile.earthquake/index.html?hpt=T2
Parson:
Through this terrible tragedy one can observe Chile's government struggle to maintain the integrity of its society. The government officials are quite clearly and explicitly stating societal imperatives to help manage this crisis, goal attainments defined by the society but aimed outside of the individual. Among countless other needs, the government has highlighted field hospitals, generators, and temporary housing for their many displaced citizens. Related to these attempts to stabilize Chile are the latency efforts of the Chile army. They are being allocated across the country in major cities in order to cut down on looting and other crime. These efforts are meant to restore a sense of safety and comfort in the minds of their citizens even as they attempt to care for the bodily needs of new refugees. In a way these latency efforts almost take precedence over realigning the goals of society to reach people's physical needs. In times of crisis the average citizen needs to be assured that the society is still functioning, that norms and laws are being maintained. To lose of sense of that is to lose the firm foundation upon which each of us stands upon and clings desperately to, even if we do not acknowledge this to ourselves. The efforts of goal attainment and latency are facilitated by an increase in the integration of government and private services. By having the military, federal, and NGO cooperate together and under a uni vocal leadership of the state quicker actions can be taken to accomplish these new goals rather than being slowed down by normal bureaucracy and independence. Of course none of this would have been possible if Chile had not remembered the most important characteristic of a society to maintain, adaptability. Chile has stood above more impoverished South American nations, generously donating money and resources, but can now clearly see their own desperate needs. Chile has unhesitatingly reached out to North American and European nations to help provide suddenly scarce resources. If the government had become prideful and stubborn, countless citizens may have suffered or died. Adaptability is great gateway to all of the other key functions within a society.
Muffin
ReplyDeleteUN warns HIV/AIDS leading cause of death in women
No Author Listed
BBC News
March 3, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8546655.stm
The United Nations program on HIV/AIDS has seen a need for adaptation in order to help women live disease-free longer. It has been shown that more women worldwide are affected by HIV/AIDS than men. It has also been found that violence against these women may lend a hand in the occurrence of these deadly diseases. The UNAids has reached a decision on goal attainment in order to help decrease the amount of women living with HIV/AIDS, as well as decreasing violence against women that may lead to these diseases. The problem is that “HIV services do not respond to the specific needs of women and girls”. The goal to solve this problem is firstly to change the way women and girls are treated; try to stop violence against them; and then to try to get programs that DO respond to their specific needs if they do get infected with HIV/AIDS. To obtain these goals, the UN program on HIV/AIDS will collect data on these women all around the world and integrate the issue of violence against women into the HIV prevention programs for these women. To solve the problem of so many women being subjected to violence and therefore, diseases, these new programs must exist over time. The programs can not exist for a short amount of time to change anything. It must continue over the course of time in order to help future generations of women to live longer, healthier lives.
MissMD
ReplyDeleteTiVo to offer boxes that go beyond the recorder
Brad Stone
New York Times
March 2, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/technology/03tivo.html?ref=technology
Parsons
TiVo, pioneer of the digital voice recorder (DVR) , is currently in the process of releasing another “set-top box that combines traditional television programming with a vast array of content from the web.” This new set-top box called TiVo Premiere will feature both cable and satellite programming as well as web contents from YouTube, Amazon.com, Netflix and Blockbuster. In this age of technological advancement where the majority of people are now using the internet as their primary means of entertainment, cable and satellite companies are losing customers through this therefore as a result the corporate headquarters of TiVo must adapt to the changes regarding how people view and consume television shows. Also with cable providers entering the market and providing their customers with DVR’s with their set-top box, TiVo must adapt to this new environment where consumers easily have access to these boxes for much cheaper prices.
In order to adapt and to increase the number of subscribers TiVo has set a goal in which to accomplish that and transform the competition between them and cable/satellite companies. Corporate has identified the goal and began the process of attaining that goal through the new box TiVo Premiere as well as other special features on the remote control that allows subscribers to zoom through advertisements, more hours of recording and web content.
TiVo integrates by controlling the places that these new boxes are sold at as well as the prices and subscription cost. As the our environment changes and technology advances, it appears TiVo will practice latency through examination of sales and upgrades so that they will continually be able to perform and compete with cable and satellite companies, if those things even still exist in the future considering the state of our economy and the fact that people have access to all of these shows on internet websites such as YouTube, Hulu and Fancast.
Elephant
ReplyDeleteHuman Culture, an Evolutionary Force
Nicholas Wade
New York Time
3/1/10
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/science/02evo.html
I have said time and time again these people are just ridiculous! Science and science alone can explain life and human behavior, the slowed progression of human evolution is just based on the definition of evolution. Human beings evolve when evolution is necessary, yes technology has let us depend less on our biological selves but that is all. We just have not needed pointier teeth, or opposable thumbs, but when something comes up when we need to we will. Technology has not made human beings stop evolving, and human beings alone did not start or stop it. It is nature, and nature let us develop technology, and developing technology itself is a form of evolution. This cultural nonsense is nothing Science is the way, not Society. Social Constructs like Religion mean nothing. We are not affecting evolution this is just a effect of us trying to control science
Wolverine
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 3rd, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parson:
I believe that as humans we are born into a society that has set roles and specific socialization. For example, for decades it has not been acceptable for a man and a woman to move together until they are officially married. There is no law that states that two individuals can not live together until they are husband and wife, but our society has socialized us to believe so. Our society has made it a rule that only husband and wife can live together. This idea eventually evolved to a collection of expected behaviors, attitudes, and norms associated with this position in our social structure. The fact that such a role has been created is very damaging because couples are constantly in fear of not abiding by the rules that are expected of them from society. Societal expectations could make an individual feel as if they are not free, but yet they are playing a part in the societal structure.
To elaborate on this idea, an article that I read went into deeper details concerning this topic. The article is entitled, “Most Couples Living Together Marry”. The author states that the latest statistics from the federal government show that more young couples are living together outside marriage than ever before. But even though they are living together before establishing a commitment, it turns out that most of the couples will end up getting married. There is even a strong likelihood of them getting married if they have similar backgrounds in terms of race and education, if they are older, if they have at least a bachelor's degree, and if they have a child. I believe this is solely because cohabitation is no longer considered fringe behavior. We can clearly see that there has been a change in our society as time has gone passed. Years ago, only the poor and the outcast who were living together. One great thing about this idea is that marriage still seems to be the goal for all cohabiters. Despite the widespread and increasing popularity of living together without being married, marriage remains a mainstay of the U.S. population. Among those men and women who were living together, federal researchers report a 51 percent chance that they will end up marrying within three years, and a 65 percent chance they will marry within five years.
Cloud 123
ReplyDeleteMapping the Waste from Pizza and Sandwiches
Greenbiz Staff
Greenbiz.com
March 2, 2010
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/03/02/mapping-waste-pizza-and-sandwiches?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Greenbuzz+%28GreenBiz+Feed%29
Parsons:
It has become common knowledge in the world of theory that my most revered theory revolves around the four imperatives of the action system. Above all else, I believe most strongly in the cultural system, as I like to refer to myself as a “cultural determinist,” but I also believe that the societal system, personality system, and behavioral organism all contribute to the function of our structure in everyday society and as a community of individuals. These four imperatives of my action system include adaption, goal attainment, integration, and latency and pattern maintenance.
My theory can be applied to most any subject that is relative to social or cultural structures, and this holds true for the case of waste in our environment and the steps that we, as a global social community, need to take in order to reduce that waste and clean up our world. The article says that in the United Kingdom, food and research groups are coming together to examine how much waste we are creating by the types of food we eat on a daily basis, most notable pizza, sandwiches and frozen and refrigerated meals. They will investigate all of the resources that are wasted and then discover how to minimize that waste to help our environment. Charlotte Henderson, the manager of WRAP's Retail Supply Chain Programme, was quoted as saying “identifying where waste is generated, and the reasons why, will help the development of effective solutions which are tailored to these products, with learnings then applied across the category.”
Clearly, these four imperatives that I so strongly believe in can be highlighted in this example. Once this research is conducted and WRAP has discovered ways in which to minimize waste, our global system must adapt, taking into account the first imperative, adaptation. It can be noted that this is directly related to my notion of the behavioral organism, as we have to adjust to our external world. This is essential for the world we live in, because if our environment is not clean or livable, we will not be able to live in it. We either have to adjust to our environment, or we have to adjust our environment to our needs. Our needs are clean, breathable air, and we need to clean up the mess in order to live healthier and sustain our society.
Once WRAP has identified the ways in which to resolve the waste problem, authorities in the food industry, as well as government authorities, need to step in and create a system of goal attainment, my second imperative. In this stage the authorities are responsible for providing ways to attain our goal of a clean, healthier world. Integration in our social system is also necessary in the process, to make sure that while this goal of minimizing waste is being attained, all the parts of the system to create a cleaner environment are integrated into one functional system. This way, the process will run smoothly and all of these interrelated parts can be put to use together to achieve the final goal. The last imperative that I stress is latency, in which we need to sustain individual motivation to minimize waste once we have initially done so. This involves changing cultural norms in society, such as values and beliefs of individual members, so that every person is aware of the collective values to not trash our environment, to recycle, and to adhere to the solutions that WRAP has come up with in their research to sustain and maintain a liveable, waste-free society Earth.
Buckley
ReplyDelete“Two Cheers for Wal-Marts CO2 Pledge”
Marc Gunther
www.greenbiz.com
2/25/10
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/02/25/two-cheers-walmarts-co2-pledge?page=0%2C1
Parsons:
Since Wal-Mart is one of the largest corporations in America, it can be considered an integral part of our system. Wal-Mart’s new green initiative demonstrates all four activities necessary for the survival of Wal-Mart and consequently the survival of our American system as we know it. The first function, adaptation, is demonstrated by Wal-Mart’s overarching goal of eliminating 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas. The effects of greenhouse gas emission are rapidly becoming realized in the United States, and the need to take care of our environment is being recognized. The next aspect, goal attainment, can be determined in a closer look at Wal-Mart’s reasoning behind this pledge. Wal-Mart wants to grow and expand. Wal-Mart is expanding into other countries, and the reality behind corporations and America is the need for growth and profit. So, if you fit the first two goals together, you come up with the third aspect of the system, integration. In order to reach both of these goals, Wal-Mart has integrated the two with this pledge. Not only is it good for the environment, but it is good for growth, as well. People want to hear that the companies they invest in are green. This is an idea associated with latency, the fourth and final part of these functional imperatives. Being ‘green’ has become a new norm or value for American culture. Maintaining this dedication to being ‘green’ and the environment keeps Wal-Mart on top.
Sting
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Popper
This article used research similar, or rather, did use my “Scientific Method” of inductive research. Inductive is making use of observations to create general ideas about something specific. Using research to determine whether or not couples that live together end up consenting to marriage takes much experimentation on the subject’s, or variable’s, side as well as the scientist’s. The idea of men and women (or men and men or women and women) waiting until marriage to move in together is a society rule governed by the church(s). That is religion, which I conceive to be nonsense. Only through natural science do I find truthful ideas. In experimenting with a person by playing house, people can learn if they can in fact live the rest of his/her life or live for at least ten years with his/her chosen partner. Through this personal research, people can more easily decide whether a marriage partnership is viable. Not through experimentation did scientists find this answer of people being more likely to marry with a great and long lasting achievement, but by observation, quantitative research, and face-to-face encounters. Children were an important variable in keeping families together too, but the study showed people were also more likely to stay together if partners married alike, as in race, background, and education. The thought of children being raised in a two parent home heightening their chance of keeping long marriages themselves, was, in my opinion, a fallacy of affirming the consequences, because the study then found that there was no relation between men staying married and having a past in growing up in a two-parent home. As society and culture changes, so do the universal laws that govern human interaction.
Stopngo43
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
The outcome is to be expected. As times shift, so does the standards established. People are merely playing their roles. While living together unmarried is just the role that they felt was most comfortably since it is really convenient for people and gives them a chance to be together without the commitment of marriage. They are essentially playing the roles of husband and wife just without that namesake. If their relationship continues to work they are bound to get married to each other. It really does not seem all that surprising. Cohabiting and living as a married couple doesn’t change much in their lives since they continue playing the same roles with only a few changes such as filing taxes as a couple or shared benefits.
JH1988
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons
Couples cohabitating, despite stigma, are still likely to get married. This is because the latent function of cohabitation is understanding how to make a marriage work. couples who do not live together before marriage are typically unaware of their significant others habits and tendencies. The transition from living together to marriage is adapting their environment to fit their needs. Being married can present some fiscal and social benefits that a partnership cannot offer. American culture defines marriage as a clear goal, and this shows that it is still a goal that many couples seek to achieve. The article discusses that this phenomenon of premarital cohabitation used to be the practice of social outcasts and the poor who needed the combined incomes. This evolution of practicing living together is an integration of outside ideas into the mainstream social sytem. the latent functions are more marriages, and marriages lasting longer.
Each step of a relationship has a function, marriage has a function to society as well. Marriages are a market in America, from the engagement ring to the bridal showers to bacheolor parties, to the ceremony, all the way to the honeymoon and thank you cards. Mariages generate a lot of revenue and spending which is very good for the economy. Relationships, for the most part generate children and can boost the morale of individuals, they also give reasons for having jobs, outside of individual gain, having a partner or someone to spend on gives people a reason to go to work. "My wife and I would love to go to vegas for a vacation." Without a job there is no money to make the wife happy. reproducing the population is a critical factor of relationships. But not only are relationships responsible for repopulation, they are also supposed to help with socialization.
JH1988
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons
Couples cohabitating, despite stigma, are still likely to get married. This is because the latent function of cohabitation is understanding how to make a marriage work. couples who do not live together before marriage are typically unaware of their significant others habits and tendencies. The transition from living together to marriage is adapting their environment to fit their needs. Being married can present some fiscal and social benefits that a partnership cannot offer. American culture defines marriage as a clear goal, and this shows that it is still a goal that many couples seek to achieve. The article discusses that this phenomenon of premarital cohabitation used to be the practice of social outcasts and the poor who needed the combined incomes. This evolution of practicing living together is an integration of outside ideas into the mainstream social sytem. the latent functions are more marriages, and marriages lasting longer.
Each step of a relationship has a function, marriage has a function to society as well. Marriages are a market in America, from the engagement ring to the bridal showers to bacheolor parties, to the ceremony, all the way to the honeymoon and thank you cards. Mariages generate a lot of revenue and spending which is very good for the economy. Relationships, for the most part generate children and can boost the morale of individuals, they also give reasons for having jobs, outside of individual gain, having a partner or someone to spend on gives people a reason to go to work. "My wife and I would love to go to vegas for a vacation." Without a job there is no money to make the wife happy. reproducing the population is a critical factor of relationships. But not only are relationships responsible for repopulation, they are also supposed to help with socialization.
CKES
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Relationships are a social system whose norms and values are seemingly static, but this is not the case. This system varies from culture to culture, and in American society, the values, norms, and expectations often vary from generation to generation. Relationships act as a social system in that it has actors that perform various roles which are governed by norms. While in a relationship, males and females are the actors whose behaviors are guided by what they think will make their target a willing partner in this relationship. The ultimate goal of a relationship is marriage, and this in itself creates a hierarchy. Married couples sit atop of the hierarchy while couples in a new relationship are at the bottom. Aside from the legal benefits of marriage, a relationship in which the couple is married is regarded as more legitimate than the other relationships in the system. The accepted belief in society is that the prevailing goal is to someday become married.
This article comments on the practice of cohabitation in our society. Although this practice has been in existence for a while, it was usually regarded as deviant because cohabitation was only acceptable for married couples. This perception changed as more couples are deciding to prolong marriage. Rather than being deviant
in today's society, cohabitation is now accepted, or even expected. Some consider it a prerequisite for marriage. By accepting cohabitation as a part of its system, it has successfully adapted to its environment and maintained equilibrium; both of which are crucial to the survival of the system. Cohabitation has now found its niche in the system, providing couples with a "test run" to determine if they can coexist in the same dwelling before they are even married. As a result, this will decrease the divorce rate as couples who don't successfully cohabit will most likely break up or not marry if they decide to stay together. This practice now becomes an interdependent part of the system, allowing it remain in existence.
woohoo
ReplyDeleteMost Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://npr.org/remplates.story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Poppers
In today's world many young couples are living together. But the interesting thing about it is that they are not just living together with the outcome being marriage. The article states that one of the main reasons why this is going on is because there is a greater acceptance about it. The reason i feel this is the case is because people are realizing that it is not so horrid, as once thought. There is this tolerance that is being built with people realizing this. And that fact that living together prior to marriage seems to work for so many people,their isn't really a good reason why one shouldn't do it. This is an example of my theory being applied. Falsifiability it truly being applied in this situation. It cannot truly be proven that living together before marriage is better than not. But until it is proven that living together is better of worst than not living together until marriage, no one can truly say on it better than the other. The people that were interviewed in the article seem to have a bias that living together is truly better. However there are many people around the world that would disagree because of their own experience. I think that much more has to be researched on this topic. The researched that has to be done to thoroughly look at it is the scientific method. In using this scientific method one has to make sure that they are not setting up the study in such a way that it may support their hypothesis (the fallacy of affirming the consequent. Also, they need to setup a hypothesis that is testable, being able to prove or disprove (the falsifiability criterion for hypothesis). I do not feel that this article is proof enough that living together before marriage is the way to go. It didn't look at the other side of the debate. It was unable to find truth with a capital T.
CKES
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons
Relationships are a social system whose norms and values are seemingly static, but this is not the case. This system varies from culture to culture, and in American society, the values, norms, and expectations often vary from generation to generation. Relationships act as a social system in that it has actors that perform various roles which are governed by norms. While in a relationship, males and females are the actors whose behaviors are guided by what they think will make their target a willing partner in this relationship. The ultimate goal of a relationship is marriage, and this in itself creates a hierarchy. Married couples sit atop of the hierarchy while couples in a new relationship are at the bottom. Aside from the legal benefits of marriage, a relationship in which the couple is married is regarded as more legitimate than the other relationships in the system. The accepted belief in society is that the prevailing goal is to someday become married.
This article comments on the practice of cohabitation in our society. Although this practice has been in existence for a while, it was usually regarded as deviant because cohabitation was only acceptable for married couples. This perception changed as more couples are deciding to prolong marriage. Rather than being deviant
in today's society, cohabitation is now accepted, or even expected. Some consider it a prerequisite for marriage. By accepting cohabitation as a part of its system, it has successfully adapted to its environment and maintained equilibrium; both of which are crucial to the survival of the system. Cohabitation has now found its niche in the system, providing couples with a "test run" to determine if they can coexist in the same dwelling before they are even married. As a result, this will decrease the divorce rate as couples who don't successfully cohabit will most likely break up or not marry if they decide to stay together. This practice now becomes an interdependent part of the system, allowing it remain in existence.
Casper
ReplyDeleteEateries Move to Address Mountains of Food and Water Waste
Author: Luke Walsh
GreenBiz.com
March 02, 2010
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/03/02/eateries-move-address-mountains-food-and-water-waste?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Greenbuzz+%28GreenBiz+Feed%29
Parsons:
United Kingdom restaurants are clearly showing signs of a functional action system. There are four imperatives that work together in order to function. First, the system has to set a goal. The goal of the restaurant industry in the UK is to reduce the excessive amount of food waste that comes along with their current system. Second, the system must adapt to changes in the environment. The restaurants are adapting to the current global recession and trying to not only create a more sustainable environment, but reduce their costs as well. Third, is the idea of latency and the pattern of creating and maintaining the system's cultural values. The UK has a social culture and people enjoy going to restaurants with friends or family while enjoying a positive dining atmosphere. The restaurants strive to provide a satisfying dining experience for the community and constantly work to maintain such standards. Finally the last imperative is integration. The very recent creation of the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) is integration of all the other aspects of the system. According to one restaurant manager, "the SRA gives us the support and confidence to make positive changes". Thus, the SRA oversees the component parts and ensures that the system reaches its goal of becoming more sustainable.
1. Smlongbb
ReplyDelete2. Obama Backs Rewarding Districts That Police Failing Schools
3. Jeff Zeleny
4. Gainesville Sun
5. March 2, 2010
6. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100302/ZNYT02/3023018/-1/NEWS03?Title=Obama-Backs-Rewarding-Districts-That-Police-Failing-Schools
The role of education, serves as a function within society to provide a forum, where teachers, students and scholars throughout the world, are able to evaluate and learn about past, present, current issues from a balanced and comparative social, cultural and economic perspective. In order to analyze education within society, we must first address its four systems, cultural, social, personality, and behavioral. These four things can and must change with the environment in order to have society properly function. In society most people highly value education. Education is not voluntary in most cases, but in cases where attained by choice, it is still of high value and worth. Children are mandated by law (social order) to attend elementary, middle, and high school within America. Within the article, President Obama has used his power and status to challenge America’s public school system. Too many schools are failing and in turn failing the students of public school system. He wants the government to take action against underperforming teachers and failing schools. President Obama is trying to set in place a plan to motivate school to do better and is using his power to create incentives for that change and progress. I feel that in order for this to happen one system must adapt and adjust its structure to progress, or in this case to help the students who are failing. The main purpose for this is goal attainment. For years in education, there have been goals set and less reached, and as a society a system must set and REACH goals, and if this does not occur it can weaken the systems in place for society to properly function. If schools take action and try to strengthen their roles and function better they will achieve more success with their students. And because nothing is free, there must be incentives in place for change to happen and mobilize and use the resources given to us to achieve a successful functioning system.
1. Smlongbb
ReplyDelete2. Obama Backs Rewarding Districts That Police Failing Schools
3. Jeff Zeleny
4. Gainesville Sun
5. March 2, 2010
6. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100302/ZNYT02/3023018/-1/NEWS03?Title=Obama-Backs-Rewarding-Districts-That-Police-Failing-Schools
Parsons
The role of education, serves as a function within society to provide a forum, where teachers, students and scholars throughout the world, are able to evaluate and learn about past, present, current issues from a balanced and comparative social, cultural and economic perspective. In order to analyze education within society, we must first address its four systems, cultural, social, personality, and behavioral. These four things can and must change with the environment in order to have society properly function. In society most people highly value education. Education is not voluntary in most cases, but in cases where attained by choice, it is still of high value and worth. Children are mandated by law (social order) to attend elementary, middle, and high school within America. Within the article, President Obama has used his power and status to challenge America’s public school system. Too many schools are failing and in turn failing the students of public school system. He wants the government to take action against underperforming teachers and failing schools. President Obama is trying to set in place a plan to motivate school to do better and is using his power to create incentives for that change and progress. I feel that in order for this to happen one system must adapt and adjust its structure to progress, or in this case to help the students who are failing. The main purpose for this is goal attainment. For years in education, there have been goals set and less reached, and as a society a system must set and REACH goals, and if this does not occur it can weaken the systems in place for society to properly function. If schools take action and try to strengthen their roles and function better they will achieve more success with their students. And because nothing is free, there must be incentives in place for change to happen and mobilize and use the resources given to us to achieve a successful functioning system.
SongBird
ReplyDeleteTigerText: An iPhone App for Cheating Spouses?
By Belinda Luscombe
CNN
February 25, 2010
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1968233,00.html?cnn=yes
Parsons
This article talked about a new app that was recently introduced to iPhone users. The app is currently under speculation from society because although it was originally made to secure people’s privacy many others are contesting that it is an app for those who cheat on their spouses or partners in relationships. The app that is called "TigerText" has the ability to automatically delete "certain" text messages within minutes of viewing the sent text. As a social theorist I would have to say that for those who are speculating about the misuse of this new app by cheaters and liars we also have to keep in mind the very fragile social structure that can be damaged if one is caught cheating on a partner or spouse. This system is very important and functions as both the social norm and what we value as a society, which is the family structure. If this new TigerText app is adapted into our society it has the ability to produce a latent function of less divorces, abuse, and overall broken homes. Although our cultural norms are against cheating and deception this new system could produce if the goal is attained, a privacy that can not only help people maintain their social roles and norms, but also for just $2.50 can save the family structure.
Wangmu
ReplyDeleteReport: most couples living together marry
Patti Neighmon
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons
There has been an increasing amount of attention brought to the institution of marriage recently. Past generations have seen different courting norms that were in place before marriage than the current generation now. Since there has been a rise in divorces, and marriage serves an important function in our society, establishing partnerships that will reproduce, it is societies gradual evolution from primitive to modern that has seen this new view on co-habitation before marriage. From a previous generation that had uncertainty at the apex of marriage, we now see a trend towards information. Information on your partner, yourself, and information as to wether the relationship has lasting ability. With this thought, it makes sense then that survival of the fittest has changed to now have the lasting relationships become the ones that have previously lived together and received that breadth of knowledge. We must make sure though, to not make haste. Our society is constantly searching and functioning at its peak in equilibrium. For this reason, relationships that follow older more conservative patterns of courtship are necessary too. They are there to serve as representations of what is no longer working. Their presence is needed because their example will help cement the new and gradually evolving societal norms on courtship that in the future, how near is yet to be seen, will become integrated into our societies socialization.Arguably no one in society can escape from the need to reproduce or to fulfill our role in our societal contracts, yet every piece of the puzzle is necessary to establish our end goal; the continuation of the human species.
1. HalfPint
ReplyDelete2. Ruling Restricts Clean Water Act, Foiling EPA
3. Charles Duhigg and Janet Roberts
4. NY Times
5. February 28, 2010
6. www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/us/01water.html
Parsons:
Over the course of the past four years, the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency through the Clean Air Act have been diluted. While this act has largely prevented major polluters from dumping toxins into the nation's water ways, it is losing its ability to prevent this corporate dumping in many of these waterways because of changes in the Clean Air Act. The changes make it difficult for the EPA to prove jurisdiction in regulating the cleanliness in many of the bodies of water in the United States.
While it is indeed true that corporations have begun to dump toxins into the waterways because of the newly relaxed regulations, and that the toxins in these waterways may reach the drinking water of city-dwellers, these lax regulations do have their benefits.
Now that corporations can use cheaper methods of getting rid of wastes (i.e. dumping them in the water), they will have less expenditures. This decrease in expenditures can be translated into a number of different benefits for society. For example, the money saved can go into higher wages or increased benefits for the workers in these companies. This will lead to higher incomes and all its associated benefits (e.g. decreased crime rates, lower levels of poverty, better overall health, etc.). The money saved from reduction in expenditures could also be allocated to improving the facilities and functioning of the corporation, which would lead to greater efficiency and increased worker output and satisfaction. This would lead to a better overall working environment. The corporation could also use this extra money to hire more workers, which would lead to a decrease in unemployment in neighboring cities, and subsequently, a decrease in poverty. The money could also be used to increase the salaries of the executives in the corporation, which would enhance their motivation for improving and expanding the company or would lead to increased investments in the company's stock due to its increased profits.
Altogether, the fact that when given the choice, corporations choose to dump wastes in the cheapest way possible (e.g. in the waterways) is a testament to the reality that even corporate dumping has its functions in society. While it has its downsides, it also has many upsides. If corporate dumping did not benefit society, it would no longer be occurring in the United States.
Babydoll
ReplyDeleteObama's Nuclear Madness and the Future of Clean Energy.
Ron Pernick
Greenbiz.com
March 2, 2010
greenbiz.com/blog/2010/03/02/obamas-nuclear-madness-and-clean-energy?
In the United States, energy sources are very important parts of the economy and life in general. It is the force that drives manufacturing, the exchange of goods and services and it powers businesses and other significant institutions. The United States spends billions of dollars each year on energy. This is probably why America is experiencing a decline of energy availability. As a result, we can observe America’s attempt to use the four imperatives that comprise the functional action systems. The seriousness of this issue has been recognized by society and the government who then decided that in order for our social system to survive we need to adapt to crucial changes within the environment. President Obama has created a plan to revive the nuclear power industry in the United States. His plan is to create a money incentive for nuclear power plants in order to give them a kick-start. He wants to stimulate change that will hopefully be able to provide energy more efficiently than what we have experienced in the past. This demonstrates adoption to sustain, system goals and the integration of the two.
Sasha
ReplyDeleteGay Marriage is Now Legal in Washington
Ian Urbina
New York Times
March 3rd 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/national/index.html
Parsons:
This article is perfect for the theories Parsons advocated. Gay marriage has been a huge issue for a long period of time. According to Marx, society works by revolution and conflict, which is essentially how many things in America come about change; however, the recent Marriage law in Washington proves Parsons right. In this instance, social change occurred because a community finally agreed upon a certain aspect of life for certain individuals and let them join hands in matrimony. Due to this extensive period of cooperation between the gay community, gay marriage is now legal; one major reason people have been fighting and petitioning for years.
As Mr. Heath said, “Marriage gives us peace of mind. It gives my family security that we deserve.” Being married has a certain status in the law that grants you and your family rights that regular couples do not receive. It also enables the family to establish more concrete roles than before, such as a “father” and “mother” –type figure and a “brother” or “sister” –like figure. Although these are tiny, insignificant details that most straight couples take advantage of, as Mr. Heath said, they make a huge difference to the couples who have worked so hard to establish these roles.
Babydoll
ReplyDeleteObama's Nuclear Madness and the Future of Clean Energy.
Ron Pernick
Greenbiz.com
March 2, 2010
greenbiz.com/blog/2010/03/02/obamas-nuclear-madness-and-clean-energy?
Parsons:
In the United States, energy sources are very important parts of the economy and life in general. It is the force that drives manufacturing, the exchange of goods and services and it powers businesses and other significant institutions. The United States spends billions of dollars each year on energy. This is probably why America is experiencing a decline of energy availability. As a result, we can observe America’s attempt to use the four imperatives that comprise the functional action systems. The seriousness of this issue has been recognized by society and the government who then decided that in order for our social system to survive we need to adapt to crucial changes within the environment. President Obama has created a plan to revive the nuclear power industry in the United States. His plan is to create a money incentive for nuclear power plants in order to give them a kick-start. He wants to stimulate change that will hopefully be able to provide energy more efficiently than what we have experienced in the past. This demonstrates adoption to sustain, system goals and the integration of the two.
Dr. Mo44
ReplyDeleteFormer 'No Child Left Behind' Advocate Turns Critic
Steve Inskeep
NPR.org
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124209100&ps=cprs
Parson:
The “No Child Left Behind” Act was created to give students hope that the American Dream can be obtained in the public school system, has turned out to be a disaster. No longer are schools working together to build a great community, they are competing against each other to resources. With no child left behind, there is great emphasis on numbers; higher test schools mean more rewards. In order for a school system to be successful, there has to be some collectiveness and not “survival of the fittest” between student and teachers with schools in their same district or school system. With this structure many students can take on difficult roles. For example, if a student is at an “F” school, they may take on the role of an “F" student because they may internalize the fact that they are at an underachieving. Schools systems should incorporate functions in order to succeed at educating children, not separate and categorize them because they are in a marginalized position. The school systems are becoming more of a marketplace than a place that educates children of the next generation. Students are no longer taking on the role as a student, but as numbers who are only as good as what they produce. The “status quo” is the only mission that’s looking to be accomplished, not what's best for the students.
To conclude, this article was very insightful and related to Parson on the fact that schools systems are actually NOT working together to bring about something that works better with all things tied into one
House
ReplyDeleteSocial Security Administration opens new office to serve customers from the North
Jeff B. Flinn
San Antonio Express
March 3, 2010
http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northeast/86232237.html
Parsons
I believe that there are 4 imperatives for Functional Action Systems: adaption, goal attainment, integration, and latency. With this, any system can prosper and become a valuable commodity in this world. Adaption: a system must be able to adapt through the times and change with the environment. It must set goals and must integrate itself and its recipients. Lastly a system must last throughout the ever changing times. With that said, Social Security seemed to be able to contain all these attributes, until now.
Although there are persistent problems that hinder Social Security from expanding, they are making changes to it to serve their beneficiaries more sufficiently. They are expanding to serve the far North Side San Antonio. They have seen their faults and continue to change with the times to fit the communities in a more proficient way. In a time of turmoil, the opening of a new branch not only brings convenience into the picture, but it creates jobs allowing the community to rely on this system a little more. I believe through positive actions any system can overcome its downsides and Social Security is trying to do this. The benefits that can be applied for at this branch include, but are not limited to applications for retirement and disability benefits, Social Security number assignment, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and monthly benefits for disability and survivors benefits. Since Social Security has come to its turning point, they have been trying new things to salvage their program, and by following my sets I believe that they will overcome this period in their program, and come out of it stronger than ever.
House
ReplyDeleteSocial Security Administration opens new office to serve customers from the North
Jeff B. Flinn
San Antonio Express
March 3, 2010
http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northeast/86232237.html
Parsons
I believe that there are 4 imperatives for Functional Action Systems: adaption, goal attainment, integration, and latency. With this, any system can prosper and become a valuable commodity in this world. Adaption: a system must be able to adapt through the times and change with the environment. It must set goals and must integrate itself and its recipients. Lastly a system must last throughout the ever changing times. With that said, Social Security seemed to be able to contain all these attributes, until now.
Although there are persistent problems that hinder Social Security from expanding, they are making changes to it to serve their beneficiaries more sufficiently. They are expanding to serve the far North Side San Antonio. They have seen their faults and continue to change with the times to fit the communities in a more proficient way. In a time of turmoil, the opening of a new branch not only brings convenience into the picture, but it creates jobs allowing the community to rely on this system a little more. I believe through positive actions any system can overcome its downsides and Social Security is trying to do this. The benefits that can be applied for at this branch include, but are not limited to applications for retirement and disability benefits, Social Security number assignment, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and monthly benefits for disability and survivors benefits. Since Social Security has come to its turning point, they have been trying new things to salvage their program, and by following my sets I believe that they will overcome this period in their program, and come out of it stronger than ever.
Juice2135
ReplyDelete“Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry”
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 3, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Summary:
Recent studies have shown that there is an increasing trend among cohabiting couples: marriage. While the strong assertion is made that cohabitation itself is a practice that is relatively new, a change brought about within only one generation, there is also increasing evidence that this may lead to marriage more and more, thus acting as a sort of “stepping-stone” towards marriage, which remains the ultimate goal for many young people. Particularly interesting, is the report that these numbers (cohabitation, then marriage) are much more drastic when the pair has more similar backgrounds, based on age, race, and education. Moreover, probability of marriage increases if the couple is of the same race, slightly older, and have both completed a bachelor’s degree (this applies even more if they have a child).
Ruby
ReplyDeleteCourts should offer domestic violence victims mediation for divorce
Mary Adkins
Slate Magazine
March 3, 2010
http://www.slate.com/id/2246708/?from=rss
Parsons:
This article illustrates Parson’s thought process that “we really aren’t free.” We are governed by the court systems and what they feel is the best solution, as in this scenario where domestic violence victims for a period of time were not offered mediation due to fear. When it comes to domestic violence against women, it is very difficult to determine the best way to handle it and I think that the court system prior to the 90’s did a poor job of making sure these women were protected. In the recent years they have adapted to the changes only due to studies and surveys of women that had to deal with laws not protecting them previously. Women in this case were not given the freedom to request mediation even though it may have helped, because the courts made the decision that it would be in their best interest to not have to face their abuser in a confined mediation room. This has later proven to be a mistake and now the courts have implemented a much better system where mediation will work if the mediators are more actively involved during this process. The article also discusses the fact that with mediation it was less expensive than litigation yet they did not offer it in some states. These are all examples that as a society we are not free and are restricted to roles and socialization.
Juice2135
ReplyDelete“Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry”
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 3, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons:
These statistics on the changing atmosphere of cohabitation and marriage allow for an analysis within my Functional Action Systems framework. The four functions (adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency) are all both present in this piece, and integral to the function of the individuals studied in it.
Marriage as an institution provides many positive aspects (companionship, economic stability, an environment conducive to reproduction, a stable medium for the education and socialization of children, etc.) for individuals who, as a result, decide to act to take part in the structure and functioning of this institution. Thus, we see the direct connection between this macro-level institution and the micro-level actions of individuals within it.
However, adaptation demands that systems adjust to the environment and simultaneously adjust the environment to fit its own needs. Thus, we see the rise of cohabitation, both as an acceptable form of dating and living within society, and as a widely practiced “technique” for romantic living and development among individuals. Andrew Cherlin, a sociologist at Johns Hopkins University asserts that, “cohabitation is no longer considered fringe behavior. In fact, he says, it's widely accepted now,” and is quoted as saying that, “Just a few decades ago (…) it was really only the beatniks, bohemians, the poor and the outcast who were living together.” So, we see that cohabitation could be an individual adaptation to both personal and economic changes that have created tension. With the falling rate of “successful” marriages and the rising rate of divorce, cohabitation could be a means by which individuals assure a “good match” before the “point of no return.” To be sure, Cherlin expands on the generational change, telling that, “he would have been surprised if his daughter had not lived with her boyfriend before getting married.” However, the economic challenges that could be seen as having forced the beatniks, bohemians, and the poor to cohabitate now have a similar effect on society at large: while individuals do not marry (until later) they can still enjoy the benefits (economic and otherwise) of cohabitation. This is essentially a near-perfect adaptation.
Goal attainment, integration, and latency all have very closely related functions in this case in particular. We see that marriage as an institution is still hegemonically ideal in society, both for practical purposes, and because, according to Cherlin, "You don't see many long-term cohabitating relationships that just last and last, because people want that ring and that honeymoon and that party to show themselves that they've achieved what, in America, is a first-class personal life." Thus, the goal of marriage as an acceptable, ideal institution (way of life for the individual) is maintained. We see, then, that goal-setting is informed by integration as well as latency.
Integration plays the role of regulating the adaptation and goal attainment as informed by the latent aspect of the system (which Cherlin refers to when he speaks of the “first-class personal life correlated with marriage,” a hegemonic ideal): as cohabitation increases, it must be integrated into the preexisting acceptable norm of marriage so as to disturb equilibrium only minimally.
tweak
ReplyDelete"Gay Marriage is Now Legal in Washington."
Ian Urbina
The New York Times
March 3, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/us/04marriage.html
Parsons
Parsons believed that functional action systems operate when the system has the ability to be adaptable to reaching its set goals, and has the ability to integrate these goals into society insomuch as to make them persistent and stable. Although people critique Parsons theory for 'maintaining the status quo', I think Parsons himself would feel that his theory supports social change.
As of today, same-sex marriages are now legal in Washington, which is the sixth state thus far to allow them. These continuing changes in state policy throughout the U.S. reflect Parsons idea of adaptability--the U.S. is slowing adapting to it's environmental changes, which is the changing statuses of LGBT individuals. These changing statuses reflect one of the main societal goals of the United States, which is equal, human rights to all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, race, class, SES, etc. To effectively integrate these goals into society, Parsons suggests that the normative values and roles of a society must also adapt. It is obvious that this has started to happen as it is becoming more socially acceptable for LGBT individuals to both cohabit and marry. It is also becoming more acceptable to just be an open LBGT individual, which has altered family and gender roles, as well as the institution of marriage. In order for these changes in the ideas about normative gender, marriage, and family roles to persist, public policy changes in conjunction with societal acceptance is mandatory. Parsons would say that new legislation to allow LGBT individuals to marry reflects the inevitable persistence of these new norms, which reflects the adaptability of our society.
JSCODE
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Karl Popper, best known in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s for his theories on logical positivism, believed that philosophy and religion were nonsense and that universal laws governed human interaction. Popper also inspired discussions that functions of society served and allowed society to perpetuate and maintain social structure. Talcott Parsons took Popper’s theories to the next level, describing some functions that maintain society as family, crime, inequality, and education.
The article I have chosen regards couples choosing to marry following cohabitation for an extended period of time. The most common factors that contribute toward the decision to marry are race, education, children, and education, to name a few. Certainly, the morals and values of adults in this generation are very different from our ancestors; however, this cultural change, according to Parsons’ philosophy, is a necessary contribution to societal structure. Just as society needs unmarried couples, illegitimate children, married couples, divorced couples, and a multitude of styles of living, so does society require alternate living circumstances to function. Without many aspects of society, social order, whether positive or negative, would not function properly.
The article argues that couples who have children in the first years of their marriage are most likely to celebrate a 10th anniversary than those who are without children. Parsons might argue that these results are not conclusive enough to determine the future of a couple cohabitating before marriage or even lasting during a marriage. Parsons might conclude that societies’ values are likely to shift again in coming generations, just as it shifted from previous generations.
Overall, society needs negative and positive aspects to function and maintain order.
StudentA
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 3, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons:
The American society has become very accepting to cohabitation before marriage. It is now a norm for a man and a woman to live together without being married, when only a few decades ago, those couples would be considered deviants. The social system of relationships is evolving to adapt to the liberal behavior and practices of modern day society. With that said, partners are open-minded to testing the waters of a marriage lifestyle without official ties to their partner.
The roles of each partner play a significant part in these societal changes. The roles of women include the ability to sustain a marriage. The article revealed that when parents are married while their daughters are 14, subsequently, their daughters are more likely to maintain a marriage for ten years or more. There are no correlation between men and their upbringings; however, men do hold roles as well. The particular roles these partner share within their cohabitation predetermines their roles after marriage. For instance, both partners may have to work to maintain a substantial income, which reflect their post marriage financial responsibilities. The woman may be required to perform cooking and house keeping duties, where as, the man may be required to perform outdoor duties. This concept coincides with the social rules of society and how we allow these rules to govern our lives. We are not necessarily free in this social system. We are not free to invite other people into the place of our cohabitation and participate in romantic or any deviant marital behavior.
In our cultural system, we value marriage that has not change. Our ultimate goal in a cohabitation relationship is to finally put a ring on the finger. Although we have changed the way we achieve marriage, cohabitation has a two out of three probability of being successful.
Hence, society is changing for the better. I understand that many people criticize my optimism in social evolution, however, the success rate of marriages justifies my optimism.
1. MrTK
ReplyDelete2. Obama Offers to Use Some G.O.P. Health Care Proposals
3. David M. Herszenhorn
4. New York Times
5. March 2, 2010
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/health/policy/03health.html?hp
Parsons
If you look at my AGIL scheme you will be able to compare the work President Obama is doing in this article to my scheme. In my AGIL scheme I tried to find an easy solution to any problem having it survive without losing respect to its environment. Obama is doing just that by offering this health care proposal.
According to the article Obama shows us the first part of my AGIL scheme by adapting. The way he adapts is by using suggestions that were presented by the Republicans. Right here Obama shows that he is making a decision that is in the best interest of the people and puts his personal beliefs to the side. One suggestion he wants to use is having health care professionals pose as patients in undercover stings to root out fraud.
Next he uses goal attainment by trying to reach the goals of both the government and the Republican Party. Even though he will do things differently, he is still trying to make sure that government survives. He uses the integration step of AGIL by using the republicans’ idea for the health care issue. Had he not integrated this idea then the health care plan might fail and he will get fingers pointed at him as to why he did not do this in the first place.
So in conclusion, by using the AGIL scheme you can make a comparison for each step and see that President Obama might use this scheme in his plans to make his tenure a lot better.
Codeword: Minina
ReplyDeleteReport: Most Couples Living Together Marry
By: Patti Neighmond
NPR
March 2, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
These individuals who have decided to marry after cohabitating clearly demonstrate how their lives are constrained and in fact are not free because of the needs of the social system. These two individuals are influenced by the social values and cultural values that exist in America. Due to the social system that exists in this country these individuals marry in order to have status and clearly defined roles within this system, husband and wife. As it is evident marriage is part of the social system, during these times individuals still long to be married and demonstrate to the world that they in fact have a “first-class personal life.” In the social system, usually the couples that cohabitate must adapt with each other and fully adapt into a marriage due to the fact that this is what the external social world they live in requires. Even though individuals decide to live together before marriage, they set goals to move towards marriage since this what is required by the social system they live in. Cohabitation among couples before marriage has become a whole component for the American social system. Marriage is has existed and continues to be part of a social system and this is reflected by the individuals who continue to present this behavior of wanting to marry. They take up roles and attitudes assigned to it which in the end helps in their integration and socialization within the social system.
1.Aaron
ReplyDelete2.Report: Most Couples Living Together Marry
3.Patti Neighmond
4.NPR
5.March 2, 2010
6.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124248325&ft=1&f=1024
Popper
The major emphasis of this article is on the finding that cohabitation has become more common than it was in the past. Within one generation, cohabitation has become the norm. Researchers also found that the majority of those cohabitating would later get married. Cohabitation clearly has a function in society now, whereas it may not have had a function previously.
Cohabitation has clearly adapted to changes in the environment since it was once unacceptable and is now the norm. In the 1970’s, cohabitation was not common; however, there were still people who lived together before marriage. Something must have changed. Perhaps the system of cohabitation was able to adapt as the population adapted. Divorce started to become more common in the 1970’s; perhaps it was at that point that people realized they needed to spend time together before marriage. Thus, cohabitation was able to adapt and provide people a way of spending more time together and getting to know eachother before marriage. Again, cohabitation did exist before it became common. It existed and persisted throughout time and finally became commonplace.
Other structural functionists may say that the manifest function of cohabitation is to experience living together before making a formal commitment to live together forever. Thus, many entering cohabitation may be trying to attain the goal of a long-lasting marriage. The system goal would be longer marriages and the resource to attain longer marriages was cohabitation.
Cronus
ReplyDeletePaterson Broke Ethics Law on Receiving Gifts, Panel Charges
By Nicholas Confessore and David M. Halbfinger
New York Times
March 3, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/nyregion/04paterson.html?hp?hp
Parsons..
Now this is a real work of art. I found out today that a government official was charged for violating his state ethics laws. What a wonderful world we live in today, when the people we vote into office are not living up to their role in society. I believe that everyone has a role to play in our society. Like if everyone is a piece of a puzzle, which is our society. It’s not complete without all the pieces. This guy has to learn the hard way that we aren’t really free. We’re constrained by the needs of the social system.
Apparently, the state Commission on Public Integrity charged Governor David A. Paterson on Wednesday for his crime. The issue was that the governor secured free tickets to the opening game of the World Series from the Yankees last fall for himself and others. He clearly did not fully integrate into our social system because of his lack of moral. Or maybe he did and that type of behavior is what most government officials are acting on. Only he just got caught.
The worse part about Governor Paterson’s situation is that he was already involved in a scandal. Now, because of his multiple offenses, he is in the hot seat.
1. StudentB
ReplyDelete2. Girls Gone Anti-Feminist
3. Susan J. Douglas
4. In These Times
5. February 22, 2010
6. http://inthesetimes.com/article/5575/girls_gone_anti-feminist
Parsons:
Feminism arose as a response to gender inequality, a system in society. Nowadays, people might think that we are beyond the need for feminism and have achieved equal statuses for women in society, but Douglas argues in her article that since the early 1990s the media has come to overrepresent women as having attained professional and sexual equality, as the top five jobs for women in 1999 were remain secretaries, elementary/middle school teachers, registered nurses, and cashiers/retail sales people. And in terms of income, a year out of college, women earn 80 percent of what men do, and 10 years out, 69 percent. Also, television shows often display sexism in made ways, both obvious and subtle. Women remain especially constrained by their needs of acceptance in society, but the pattern of male superiority and the objectification of women by the media remains, and antifeminism has become latent in society, even for women who are accomplished, smart and ambitious. The media has made cultural systemno longer value traditionally feminine personality traits (like being passive, helpless, docile, overly emotional, dumb and deferential to men), but hyperfeminine physical traits (like cleavage, short skirts, pouty lips) and the proper logos linking this femininity to social acceptance. In the personality system of society it remains that women are defined by their bodies, And consequently remain second-class citizens. The mass media exaggerates certain kinds of stories, people, values and attitudes, while minimizing others or rendering them invisible. This remaining lack of gender equality prevents proper socialization on a micro-level, and consequently prevents true and comprehensive social unity macro-level.
sweetmay
ReplyDeleteSouth Africa 2010 - 100 days and counting
unwritten
CNN
march 2, 2010
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/03/02/football.world.cup.south.africa/index.html
Parsons:
According to the article, it is about 100 days before the time of the first World Cup to be taken place in Africa. However, people working on the project worry and they think South Africa will not be ready to hold such a large global event within 100 days. In 2004, South Africa held the soccer tournament, but there were also many critics argued about lack of infrastructures and their inability to be as host of world event.
I would like to make some personal suggestions to South Africa by using my theory. According to my AGIL paradigm, there are four important elements (AGIL) for the system to be formed and worked well. First one is adaptation, next one is goal attainment, third one is integration, and last one is latent pattern maintenance and tension management. For example, adaptation will be explained in this situation as function of gathering enough supplies, preparing sufficient services and conditions of stadium. Goal attainment will be function of leadership as main person. It is important to have leader who gather others. Then, integration is function of communication among persons working on this project and teamwork of them. If there is no teamwork, it is impossible for them to hold such a popular event. Finally, latent pattern maintenance and tension management can be explained as function of reflection and rechecking by concept of administration. I believe that if there are all four elements working correctly and balanced interactions between them, the first World Cup is surely succeed in South Africa.
sweetmay
ReplyDeleteSouth Africa 2010 - 100 days and counting
unwritten
CNN
march 2, 2010
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/03/02/football.world.cup.south.africa/index.html
Parsons:
According to the article, it is about 100 days before the time of the first World Cup to be taken place in Africa. However, people working on the project worry and they think South Africa will not be ready to hold such a large global event within 100 days. In 2004, South Africa held the soccer tournament, but there were also many critics argued about lack of infrastructures and their inability to be as host of world event.
I would like to make some personal suggestions to South Africa by using my theory. According to my AGIL paradigm, there are four important elements (AGIL) for the system to be formed and worked well. First one is adaptation, next one is goal attainment, third one is integration, and last one is latent pattern maintenance and tension management. For example, adaptation will be explained in this situation as function of gathering enough supplies, preparing sufficient services and conditions of stadium. Goal attainment will be function of leadership as main person. It is important to have leader who gather others. Then, integration is function of communication among persons working on this project and teamwork of them. If there is no teamwork, it is impossible for them to hold such a popular event. Finally, latent pattern maintenance and tension management can be explained as function of reflection and rechecking by concept of administration. I believe that if there are all four elements working correctly and balanced interactions between them, the first World Cup is surely succeed in South Africa.
1. MickeyDog
ReplyDelete2. Hopes for Alzheimer’s Drug Are Dashed
3. ANDREW POLLACK
4. NEW YORK TIMES
5. March 3, 2010
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/business/04drug.html?hp
Alzheimers Diease is a problem that has long plagued mankind and scientist have been working diligently to cure the disease. The Russians came very close to developing that cure but in its late test trials stages their medication failed. Karl Popper would say that the scientist testing the drug should have focused more on the "falsifiability" of the research methods by using more verification in the previous steps of trial testing. Since we are dealing with an ancient disease we must not use basic empirical assumptions, we must extend our research toward critical rationalism of every minor detail until we can move toward last stage test trials. Parson who expanded on Kopper's views, would say that more functions of society (such as other organizations, other countries) have to help contribute towards the research in order to facilitate the function of curing Alzheimer.
1. Loveme
ReplyDelete2. Old Age, From Youth’s Narrow Prism
3. MARC E. AGRONIN, M.D.
4. The New York Times
5. March 2, 2010
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/health/02case.html
Parsons,
In our society and culture, old age is often stigmatized. As stated in the article "Old Age, From Youth’s Narrow Prism," we connect death, depression and lonliness with old age, when in actuality age brings wisdom and meaning to life. When we think of nursing homes, we think of life coming to an end, but Dr. Marc E. Agronin says that in his experience at nursing homes, that many of the elderly residents are happy, and are not concerned with death. I believe that a person must be able to adapt to their new environment. When we move from youth to old age, we learn to adjust and transform the external world. No matter what our age may be, we all play an important role in the social structure. We internalize our roles and rules, and this determines how well we socialize in our society. When we reach old age, we are not expected to do much, and we are sometimes erased from society; being in a nursing home is sometimes the new environment we must adapt to, and we do this either extremely well, or extremely bad. Being old, and living in a nursing home allows for the elderly to create their own new society, and not be criticized for their age and their role in society, according to the norms established by society's youth.