What is functionalism?

Functionalism is a macro approach that sees society working in consensus. Society has functional pre-requisites that need to be met in order for society to work in a unified harmonious way. This is achieve through social institutions, such as the family and education, that all work together in moulding the individual through socialisation, therefore integrating them into the common value consensus that everyone shares. It follows, therefore, that everything in society must be functional and …

…the Functionalist approach believes that crime is needed and good for society. It fulfils a vital function and without it norms wouldn't be transmitted and society wouldn't operate properly. Neo-Functionalists try to address why certain people are more likely to perform this function for society than others. Functionalism gives a valid explanation and raises reasonable points such as how laws reflect the common views of society because we believe them to be in our interest.