Page 41 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Unit 5: Approaches to the Study of Kinship: Structural Functional

seen under organisational or functional and destructional or dysfunction. Notes
Indirect function are those function of units of social structure which is neither wanted nor
recognised.
These indirect functions are in the form of organisational or functional and destructional or
dysfunctional. These functions can be presented by following figure—
Unit of Function

Function Non-function Dysfunction

Manifest Latent Manifest Latent
Function Function Function Function
6. Adaptability and Adjustment in society: Function increases adaptability and adjustment in
society. It is important for continuity and balance for social management that adaptability
and adjustment property should be there in units of social structure. In lack of these prop-
erty, units become dearranged and imbalanced till these properties exists in units, institu-
tions, agencies, etc., they remain an integral part of the structure.
7. Accepted by Society: The functions of elements, units, institutions, agencies, etc., of social
structure are accepeted by the society. In different societies, units are different and their
functions are performed according to the need of the society. These are variable also. The
fucntions which are not accepted by the society was termed unexpressed-function or indi-
rect function by Merton.
8. Fulfils Need: Malinovisky emphasises specially on this character of functions. He says that
each unit plays an important role in every place. He also wrote that the unit which does not
function to fulfill need, cannot remain in the structure. Malinovisky, Redcliff Brown and
Klukhaun have criticised bitterly the evolutionist on this basis that no element or part in
society are vestigial. In evolutionary theory, vestigial are used as an evidence, but function-
alists don’t consider this.
9. Functional Substitutes: Merton says that there are many units in social structure, they have
many functions, we get two types of characters and functions related to it. First–one ele-
ment and its many function and Second—one function and elements fulfilling its are many.
There are many options and equivalents of functions related to a definite need of society. In
primitive society the function of social control is religion. In city and metropolitan society,
the function of social control is performed by Police, Military, Court, etc., means, there are
many options and equivalents.
10. Other Charactersitics: There are some more characteristics of functions, such as—there are
many units in social structures, it is difficult to calculate them. To calculate the functions
of units is even impossible. Function is more beneficial for a group, less beneficial for some
and also be harmful for some groups. Functions are related with the units forming the so-
cial structures. Functions also determine and clarify labour division in society. Every unit
does function, non-function, disfunction, direct-indirect, manifest-latent, clear-ambigous,
known and unknown, etc., like varied works in the society which are seen with reference to
the study. Management, organisation, continuity, balance, development, etc., of society de-
pends on varied functions of the units of structure. As the units perform a function accord-
ing to it the balance, imbalance, management and dearrangement of society and culture will
be determined and influenced. In this way, function is related to social structure.

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