Introduction
All societies undergo the process of social change and societies are distinguished by the rate, processes and the directions of change. A society is closely related to the individuals, organizations and social movements and this has a great impact on the socio-cultural changes sets standards for social change. There has been significant social change with the movement of population, industrialization and urbanization. The Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution has brought about great transformation. There are three main primary theories in social change. They are functionalism, conflict theories, and interpretive theories. According to the Functionalist theory the societies become more complex and mutually dependent as they develop. The emphasis is on social order rather than social change. According to Talcott Parsons the society consisted of mutually supporting parts which worked together to maintain the balance of the whole. This theory only explains the institutional change. Conflict theory focuses on the premise that radical change was inevitable in society. According to Marx and Engels the basic structures of society is a result of the social change and the relationships between social classes. The Conflict Theory explains remarkable events in history and the changing patterns of race and gender relations and also emphasizes the struggles to explain the impact of technological development on society and the changes to family organization. Symbolic Interactionism was developed as an alternative to Functionalism, which emphasized that social interaction is symbolic in nature and social reality is created by the people participating in it. Among these theories the Conflict theory is more applicable in domestic violence (Preston. 2000).
Domestic violence
Domestic violence is the practice of abuse and intimidating behaviors that includes physical, emotional, fiscal and sexual aggression. It also includes segregation and oppression. The victims of domestic violence can be protected if there is a common understanding among communities regarding the causes of such violence. This helps develop more effective responses to the violence. In domestic violence power and control is exerted over the other person who is near to them. Especially men often torture their spouse or girl friends. Other forms of violence can also be seen with in the family. Domestic violence is learned from the family or society by observation starting right from childhood. It is carried on because it works. The executor gains control over the victim through fear and coercion. A clear eloquent theory of violence would be effectual against domestic violence. The community as a whole should share the view of violence for effective coordination for solving the problem of domestic violence (Theories of violence, 2003).
Conflict theory
In the Conflict theory there is disparate power within groups or larger societies. The disparate power is a result of direct effect of individual resources. The exchange theory says that all relationships are based on what one person in a family can get from the other person. Child abuse, abuse of spouses, parent abuse and sibling abuse was discovered as a result of Conflict Theory. Conflict theory views relationships based on the intimacy that results out of individual need or gain. The three main principles of the Conflict Theory are that all practices in a family are not good always, all family activities do not contribute to the comfort of the family, and the likings will be different with in the members of the family. The latent family and social conflict is also made public by the Conflict theory. It is difficult for those in the privileged segment to accept the Conflict theory (Conflict Theory vs. Exchange Theory 2006). According to the Conflict Theory conflict is an inevitable part of all groups distinguished by positions of power, compliance and opposing goals. The society’s treatment of domestic violence can be perceived from this. The batterers were given a minor punishment or a lecture by the court. The laws of domestic violence now make the batterers face unsympathetic penalties and at times even imprisonments. But women fearing vengeance often withdrew cases and fail to appear in courts. Conflict theory also explains social interference when leaders of a group are unable to obtain their goals through other means (Hasselt & Hersen 1999 p.29).
References
- Conflict Theory vs. Exchange Theory 2006. Web.
- Hasselt, V.B.V & Hersen, M. 1999. Handbook of Psychological Approaches with Violent Offenders: Contemporary Strategies and Issues. London: Birkhäuser
- Preston, C. 2000. Social Continuity and Change, and Social Theory. Web.
- Theories of violence. 2003. Web.