Answer to Question #171157 in Sociology for haley alfaro

Question

How would a Functional Sociologists view a formal social structure like the Indian Caste System?

Answer 1

Functionalists are sociologists who view the society as many up of single entities who must work together for the society to function normally. According to functionalists, social order is instrumental in maintaining status quo and equilibrium in the society. Without a central foci, a society would not exist. It is the duty of everyone is the society to execute their role.

The caste system in India is a system that divides the Hindu community into four distinct groups; Shindras, Brahmins, Vaishyas, and Kshatriyas. The caste system divides the society into groups and each group has it's role in the Hindu society. From a Functionalists perspective, each of the groups have a role to play in maintain the integrity of the hindu community. More so, every group must play it's role and the cohesiveness of the community is determined by how every group plays it's true. That means that the Hindu society is defined by the integration of the four groupings recognized in the caste system.