The Functionalist Perspective

Functionalism views society as a system. That is, as a set of interconnected parts which
together form a whole. For example, the human body; it comprises of various parts such as the
brain, lungs, heart as well as the liver working together for our bodies to function properly.
However, if we were to analyse the parts in isolation from each other, we will be unable to fully
explain how life is maintained.

A Functionalist Society
Functionalism begins with the observation that behaviour in society is structured. This means
that relationships between members of society are organised based on rules of how people are
expected to behave.
The structure of society can be seen as the sum total of social relationships which are governed
by norms.

Norms are informal rules which are specific guides to action that tell you, for example,
how one is expected to dress as well as behave at a funeral as opposed to that of a
party.
Values provide general guidelines for behaviour, that is, the overall beliefs about what is
good, bad, desirable or undesirable. For example, in Western societies, values such as
honesty, privacy, ambition and individual achievement are important.

The main parts of society are its institutions (family, the economy and the educational as well
as the political systems) that can be seen as a structure made up of interconnected roles or
interrelated norms. For example, the family is made up of the interconnected roles of a
husband, father, wife, mother, son and daughter.

Explaining Functionalist Perspective in Caribbean Societies

The Functionalist perspective can be applied to Caribbean societies to an extent

however it is not quite appropriate.

Functionalism is appropriate for a study of the Caribbean because the Caribbean region
has a linked set of social structures and institutions that are inter-related. Such
institutions are the family, the school, the church, and the government which work
together within Caribbean society.

Caribbean society is highly shaped by European forces and as such the Functionalists
perspective that was originally used to study European societies is appropriate. In the
Commonwealth Caribbean, the legal and educational systems are modeled from our
European counterpart, i.e. Britain.

However, one of the key concepts in functionalism is value consensus. Durkheim

believed that members must share the same beliefs and norms in order for society to
function. This concept is outdated, as the Caribbean comprises of diverse cultural
beliefs, which derived not only from its European colonizers, but from the culture of its
ancestors such as natives of the Caribbean, slaves and indentured labourers as well

Functionalists emphasise consensus and therefore ignore conflict. There is much

evidence that the Caribbean region is shaped out of conflict through such historical
episodes as slavery and colonisation

The theory of functionalism does not take into consideration the Caribbeans unique
and eventful history, which still affects Caribbean society today. This theory may be
applicable to European societies, but The Caribbean society is one that endured a series
of oppression such as slavery and indentureship. Therefore, Functionalism is
inappropriate for the analysis of Caribbean society because theories such as the
Plantation Society theory, Plural Society theory and Creole Society theory are better
suited in analysing Caribbean society.

In conclusion, Functionalism is more appropriate for the study of large homogenous societies
rather than the small diverse societies that we have in the Caribbean.