Introduction
Structural Functionalism theory is integral to the sociological understanding of human behavior and paradigms. The theory hypothesizes that society is an intricate network of interconnected frameworks that collectively function to create stability and solidarity. Accordingly, there are social functions that support the stable patterns for the functionality of society and social dysfunctions that disrupt the patterns for normal operations (Macinois, 2019). Therefore, the impact of disease outbreaks can represent such dysfunctions of society’s function.
Considerably, Covid-19 may reflect such dysfunction that interrupted significant socioeconomic operations. Consequently, Macinois (2019) stipulated that medicine applies to two functional roles: the ‘sick role’ and the ‘physician role.’ The sick is determined by specific characteristics that exempt those meeting the criteria from societal duties or obligations. The physician’s role anticipated that they apply technical expertise and treat the sick, restoring them to normalcy. Nonetheless, the theme required is a commitment from the sick to get better achieved by adhering to set orders by the physician. Thus, the model presents the collectivism of society from a structural-functionalist perspective.
Synonymously, the dynamics of structural functionalism affected the handling of Covid-19. Narsin (2021) highlighted the relation of the theory as the patient was considered to be in a state of sanctioned deviance, considered unproductive. Hence, the isolation and lockdown of businesses are underpinned in view, requiring the sick to refrain from social obligations and adhere to physician prescriptions to restore society. The global transition depended on professionals’ collective action and adherence to rules and regulations. Despite the significant death tolls, commitment to the practices reduced the proportional impact of the disease spread.
Symbolic Interactionism Theoretical Perspective
Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theoretical underpinning of sociology. The model depicted society as a construct of the day-to-day interactions between people. The constructs are abstract realities that people attach meaning to using symbolism. This way, society relates these realities to what they think of others. Macinois (2019) hypothesized that the theory implied that people aligned themselves with circumstances that favored them most. Accordingly, health and illness are social constructs in which constructs (Narsin, 2021). The ideologies and symbols of interaction affect how society perceives health and ascribes particular behavior.
Accordingly, symbolic constructs developed during the pandemic and their impact. Macinois (2019) highlighted that due to the changing structure of social reality, interactional symbolism might interfere with medical facts and truths that are dismissed. Masks were mandatory, symbolically affecting society within hospitals and in public domains. Firstly, St-Amant (2022) portrayed the dynamic that hospitals were in the past perceived as a socially constructed barrier between sickness and everyday life. Subsequently, when the mask was integrated as a mandatory caution, it conflicted with the symbolic perception of the hospital and was perceived as an intrusion into everyday life. Another example related to using masks in hospitals became an accepted social construct among personnel. As such St-Amant (2022) hypothesized that criticizing the use of masks was thus perceived negatively, despite reasonable concerns such as the discomforts that accompanied the use of masks. Sneezing was also vilified as a sign of potential infection and a cause of the spread of the airborne disease. As such, symbolic interactionalism affects the capacity for change in society, disrupting social behavior.
Conflict Theory Theoretical Perspective
The theory integrated linkages between culture and societal inequalities. Macinois (2019) analyzed that society was characterized by sociological gaps underpinned by ethnicity, race, gender, and class. Those in the minority groups are theorized to advocate against these inequalities, whereas those in privileged groups ignore the social inequalities. Simultaneously, other conflict theorists, such as the Marxist perpetuated that man is not governed by consciousness; instead, they adjust to the socioeconomic dynamics of society. Thus, within every society, each individual has different personality traits that give them different bargaining power over resources and opportunities.
Covid-19 represented cases of significant social inequalities exacerbated by race, age, and class issues. Mishra et al. (2021) gave the significance of age as a factor that influenced mortality, as the senior population aged 90 and above was the dominant age group reported dead during the period. The challenge at the time was attributed to their underlying conditions, making them a more vulnerable group in society. These elements that may be unavoidable or unintentional are natural processes causing inequality. Narsin (2021) documented that during the pandemic, inequality was expressed in the treatment frameworks that undermined people from disadvantaged social groups. Wachtler et al. (2020) argued that socioeconomic status was associated with crowding and lack of protective equipment extenuating their risk of infection and spread. Some inequalities transcended treatment considering the social disruptions that ensued. Fisher and Ryan (2021) highlighted that during Covid-19, relational violence was on the surge, in which women were more likely to be victims. The compilation of these issues reflects the significant conflict in sociological frameworks.
Conclusion
The three perspectives present reasonable theoretical underpinnings within which the pandemic could be understood. Albeit the most compelling of approaches were the implications of the social conflict approach that reflected potent, this choice was selected due to certain realities limiting the other theoretical frameworks. The structural functionalism theory ignores other features of society did not account for human behaviour being a multidimensional factor that may be limited when the analogy focuses on people’s roles and adherence. During the case analysis of Covid-19, disease management transcended doctors’ technical capabilities and patients’ adherence to isolation rules and treatment, affected by social inequalities.
Additionally, symbolic interactionalism presents substantial insight into the social structure, building on subjective realities that people ascribe to circumstances. The perception stimulates the need to demonstrate sensitivity to medical environments undermined by the impacts of abstracted realities from social interaction. Despite its dynamism in sociological changes, the approach fails to uncover elements of disparities and conflicting social constructs.
The preferred theoretical perspective was the social conflict theory, a practical framework for breaking down the imperative social elements that influence human behavior. The approach broke down aspects of social environments based on both objective and subjective connotations that exist in society. It presented a diversity of approaches to sociological analysis leveraging the elements that create social disparities, such as age, ethnicity, race, class, and gender. These features are imperative elements that define individuals’ personalities and everyday lives. Therefore, the model had a more overarching perspective, inculcating aspects of the other theories.
References
Fisher, A. N., & Ryan, M. K. (2021). Gender inequalities during COVID-19. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 24(2), 237–245. Web.
Macionis, J. J. (2019). Society : the basics (15th ed.). Pearson.
Mishra, V., Seyedzenouzi, G., Almohtadi, A., Chowdhury, T., Khashkhusha, A., Axiaq, A., Wong, W. Y. E., & Harky, A. (2021). Health Inequalities During COVID-19 and Their Effects on Morbidity and Mortality. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, Volume 13(13), 19–26. Web.
Nasrin, M. (2021). The Socio-Economic Impact and Implications of Covid-19 in Bangladesh: A Sociological Study According to Sociological Theories and Social Determinants. OALib, 08(10), 1–12. Web.
St-Amant, O., Rummens, J. A., Parada, H., & Wilson-Mitchell, K. (2022). The COVID-19 Mask: Toward an Understanding of Social Meanings and Responses. Advances in Nursing Science, 45(2). Web.
Wachtler, B., Michalski, N., Nowossadeck, E., Diercke, M., Wahrendorf, M., Santos-Hövener, C., Lampert, T., & Hoebel, J. (2020). Socioeconomic inequalities and COVID-19 – A review of the current international literature. Journal of Health Monitoring, 5(7). Web.