Answer to Question #257850 in Sociology for Araba

Question

_{The conflict theory and functionalist theoretical perspective on health and illness in the south African context}

Answer 1

The functional theory argues that society is a complex system where every part has to cooperate to promote social solidarity and stability in society. The case of South African society is complex as well and both departments such as health, education, laws, among others, should work together for better functioning of the nation. Therefore when any part of the society is sick, it enters into the role of sanctioned deviance. This means that the sick person is not productive in society hence interrupting the normal social function of the society.

Conflict theory suggests that the social and economic structure of the society creates social inequality and divisions resulting in conflict over limited resources, power, and privileges in the society. However, South Africa is a highly unequal nation with the majority of the population consisting the lower social structures. Thus conflict perspective emphasizes inequality in the quality of health care delivery and disease prevalences. Individuals from underprivileged social backgrounds are more likely to fall seek and because of inefficient health care delays their chances of getting well. Accordingly, in South Africa few individuals can afford quality health care in private sectors while the majority of the population seek health care in public hospitals, making it difficult for health workers In public hospitals to manage patients properly due to the lack of enough health workers and insufficient health commodities such as drugs.