Sociology and Inequalities in the Contemporary World of Work

This documentation focuses on the concept of sociology and its role in understanding inequalities in the contemporary world of work. It explores different sociological theories such as functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, and their impact on patterns of inequalities. The document also discusses the importance of these theories in analyzing and addressing social inequalities.

Essay
1

ABSTRACT
In this documentation, it is mainly focused on the Sociology which involves social lives of
people, societies and groups, identifying the social behaviour of individuals. It has summarised
about the sociology which consider as essential framework for signifying the importance in term
of inequalities within the contemporary world of work. Furthermore, it will be considered the
different theories for performing the different task while improving the patterns related
inequalities.
2

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Conceptual framework of sociology............................................................................................3
Various theories of sociology in context of work and pattern.....................................................4
Criticism of functionalism theory................................................................................................6
The Conflict theory Perspective..................................................................................................6
Criticism of conflict theory..........................................................................................................7
Symbolic Interactionist theory.....................................................................................................8
Importance of theories.................................................................................................................8
Determine the pattern of inequalities that could be identified in the contemporary world of
work.............................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
3

INTRODUCTION
Sociology can be defined as term that mainly involving the study about the social lives of
people, societies and groups. This will help for understanding the social behaviour of people
while covering everything from the analysis. In order to establish the contact between
anonymous people on street to study in context of global social activities.
The documentation will describe about the concept of sociology that mainly relates to the
inequalities, which mainly identified in the contemporary world of work. It will focus on the
different sociological theories and performed the significant role in the enterprises. It involves
functionalism, conflict and Symbolic interactionist theory. These type of theories will be
representing the importance in term of work and inequalities patterns.
MAIN BODY
Conceptual framework of sociology
Sociology is based on the study, pattern in term of social relationship, interaction and
culture that usually surrounding everyday life. It is a social science that mainly used in different
method or technique of empirical investigation and critical analysis. In order to develop the
knowledge about the social change and order (Avent‐Holt and Tomaskovic‐Devey, 2019).
Another way, it can be defined the sociology that mainly consider as society while conducting
the research to handle the social policy, welfare, procedurals. It help for refining the theoretical
understanding towards the multiple social processes. In traditional, it is mainly focused on the
sociology that include the social class, religion, law, sexuality, deviance and gender. Afterwards,
sociology can relate to the inequality on the basis of class, race, gender that are unequally
distributing the access to resources as well as rights. Moreover, it will be characterized by
existence of unequal opportunities, rewards for employee in the organization. Therefore, it can
understand the phenomenon of sociology whereas access to the rights, resource which are
unfairly distributed across the different racial lines.
The inequality condition refer to the unequal distribution in context of wealth, material
goods and income. Another way, it also creating the opportunities which may refer to unequal
distribution of life chances across individuals (Padavic, Ely and Reid, 2020). It may reflect on
4

the measurement such as health status, treatment by other criminal justice system. Furthermore,
it should be identified the different social inequality in term of sociology. It can be categorised
into different types: Conflict and functionalist. These are considered the important conceptual
term which mainly applicable in the inequalities. Sociologists recognise that social stratification,
consider as society system that make inequalities apparently (Padavic, Ely and Reid, 2020). The
existence of inequalities between various individuals and other sociologists that are mainly
showing the interest towards social pattern. The stratification is not only about the individual
inequalities but also consider group of members, classes. Therefore, it become easier for
individual to examine the structural condition in term of social inequality.
The sociologists that analyse the social phenomena at certain level from different
perspectives. In the concrete way in which interpretation to sweeping the generalization of social
behaviour, society. Each and every thing is depending on the social patterns and also analysed on
the micro level (Baylis, 2020). In recently, many sociologists employ different theoretical
aspects, offering the paradigms to explain that how entire society influenced by people. In this
way, every perspective are uniquely consists of conceptualizes social factors and other human
behaviours.
Various theories of sociology in context of work and pattern
The sociologists develop theories which mainly explained the social phenomena. It has been
proposed the relationship between two or more concepts. The sociological theory can be
developed at different level, ranging from the grand theory which highly contextualised within
specific manner.
The functionalist theory perspective
The functionalist perspective attempts to describe the social as collection means to meet the
specific need and requirement of individuals. It is also known as structural-functionalism
because it is mainly focused on the way in which design pattern of social structures. In order to
fulfil requirement of sociology. The functionalism theory can draw as inspiration from the basic
idea through Emile Durkheim, concerned about the inequalities of how societies maintain the
netter internal stability and survive over time (Campero and Fernandez, 2019). According to
theory, it has identified that traditional family bonds are weaker so that modern societies also
5

exhibits a complex division in the labor whereas each and every member perform the multiple
tasks. Furthermore, it has been argued that modern industrial society that would completely
destroy the overall traditional mechanism of solidarity. In this way, functionalist perspective has
continuously focused on maintained the stability and other internal cohesion, which is essential
to ensure the existence over time. Different societies are consider to do work together, easily
maintain the entire social equilibrium. Sometimes, it may integrate with the functionality for
changing the stable system in proper manner.
The functionalism theory is mainly examined the society as complex system who will work
together in order to promote the solidarity as well as stability. This approach may look at society
through macro-level orientation (Dillon, 2020). It is broadly concern about the social structure
that could reshape the society as whole structure. Sometimes, functionalism could addressed the
society in context of function of its multiple element such as customs, traditions, institution and
norms. The gender inequality was the most robustly articulated in 1940 to 1950. Therefore,
functionalism theory has been suggested to understand the concept of inequalities. This will be
creating as division of labor and social system within particular segments. It is clearly
responsible for assuming the certain, respective act in regards of labors. Therefore, it works to
increase the both efficiency as well as resources. As per view of inequalities which mainly
applicable in the division of labor, predefined the gender roles as Contemporary world of work.
In sociological context, the functional prerequisites which considered the basis requirement
of individuals. It may refer to the different factors that allows for society to maintain the proper
social orders. Afterwards, it serve to maintain the social norms in which providing and ensuring
the stability through functionalism. By using theory, it also examined that how society operates
different parts and also representing the inherently unequal value of different work. Certain task
may applicable in the society which consider as more valuable than others.
As per evidence, it also identified that job is consider as important aspects. Individual person
who are working as cashier position but does not require the similar skills, knowledge to handle
the critical. Without providing the better incentive and higher payment, they are doing their
work. At that time, it may contrast with the inequalities in their individual’s work (Padavic, Ely
and Reid, 2020). It is important work with provide high level of income or encourage people to
6

work longer and harder. But at some point, it has increased the inequalities among people and
automatically turn into complex situation or condition. It became difficult for functionalism
theory to maintain the stability at their working process.
From the functionalist opinion, inequality plays important role which holding the society in
together, encouraging or inspiring the efficiency. Sometimes, it should consider inequality as an
inevitable which providing the benefits, advantage to the society. It is conceptualized as pyramid
those are completely sorting the situation of unequal people. It must ensure that individuals are at
achieve top level who are less worthy, therefore have limited access of power and provide the
rewards than high qualified people at top level (Edgell and Granter, 2019). As per advanced by
Kingsley Davis and published their own paper in 1945, it is mainly covered the structural
functionalist paradigm that promote the unequal distribution of rewards server in the community,
society. In this way, inequality ensure that functionality, which become important jobs that were
filled by qualified people.
Furthermore, it can be determined the functional significance by degree in which job is
uniquely, require skills whether only few or more people performed the same function
adequately.
Criticism of functionalism theory
This theory is basically received the criticism which automatically neglecting and
eliminate the negative function of particular event. Critics always claim that various perspective
and justified the status, complacency on the each part of society members. Through this theory, it
does not encourage people to participate significant role in changing the current social
environment or culture (Muñoz, 2019). Even when particularly change that may provide
advantage, benefits them. Instead of functionalism that can identify the social change as generate
undesirable result or outcome. Society or community will be compensating naturally for
particular problem or issue that may arise.
The Conflict theory Perspective
This type of theory is based on the stratification hold inequality which are considerable
harmful for society. In this way, it would require to create fixed system of losers and winners.
The conflict theorist argue that stratification is becoming the dysfunctional and harmful in
7

community or society (Padavic, Ely and Reid, 2020). Thus, it will be creating the system of
individual winner and losers that could properly maintained by other top level. Some people who
are loser and also don’t get right chance to compete with other. In this way, it has developed the
confliction among various people. Therefore, low wage employees do not make enough to move
beyond the luxuries lifestyles. The conflict theorists believed that competitive system those are
working together with new way to fixed, end up creating as well as perpetuating stratification
system. According to this theory, it has been understanding about the economic system which
mainly focused on the free-market competition, generally, it gain benefits, advantage by other
mechanism to spread the wealth across society (Padavic, Ely and Reid, 2020). The government
also promoting the capitalism which often establish the better corporate welfare through tax
breaks, subsidies which support for gaining more benefits from enterprises.
The conflict theory identified the society as dynamic entity which are constantly
undergoing change as result of competition over resources. It derived from the innovative idea of
Karl Marx, who always believed that society is consider as dynamic entity in which driven by
class conflict among people. On the other hand, C. Wright mills believe that social structure are
created due to eliminate the conflict among the people. It directly impact on the individual by
creating of an effective social structure.
Criticism of conflict theory
The conflict theory has been criticized on the basis of changing and neglecting the current
social stability. In this way, it also acknowledge that societies are constantly change the state but
require to understand the whole concept. During 19th century, social stratification that has
resulted from the people’s relationship within production. Sometimes, it can be categorised into
single line either owned by factories or people worked them. Upper class of people who are
gaining more profit while working class people faced lot of struggle to survive (Ransome, 2019).
Therefore, it will be dividing the two different group and also differentiate the wealth or power.
According to Marx, it can understand the employee experience with deep alienation, misery
resulting from the powerless status level. Nowadays, working condition or situation that have
improved. Through conflict theory, it also believed that maintain the working relationship
between staff member and management.
8

Symbolic Interactionist theory
This type of theory is based on the macro-level that mainly focused on the relationship
between people with society. In order to exchange the communication through symbols,
language. Furthermore, it also believed that way in which people make sense towards the entire
social worlds. According to Herman & Reynolds, it has identified the perspective of people
while being active in shaping the entire social world rather than simply being acted. Generally,
this symbolic interactionism theory uses everyday interaction among individuals. In order to
explain the entire society, examinee the current stratification on the perspective of micro-level.
Within communities, people are generally communicate with other who will share their own
opinion, thoughts and belief (Ray, 2019). Symbolic interactionist also considered the people’s
appearance which reflects on their perceived towards social standing. This theory will help for
establishing the strong bonding between employees and employers.
The Criticism is to extension of symbolic interaction theory which always proposed the
reality of what human cognitively construct, develop the social interaction with other one.
Furthermore, it mainly focused on the approach that often used to define the deviant in the
society. There is no specific definition in term of deviance and societies that have constructed in
different manner.
Importance of theories
The significance of various theories such as functionalist theory, Symbolic Interactionist
theory and conflict theory in the contemporary world of work. These are establishing the
connection between the critical thought and raw information. in order to represent the civic
engagement which are completely declined. In fact, it also minimised the desire of people where
they are eliminating the participate in social lives (Padavic, Ely and Reid, 2020). Afterwards, it
also understanding the social world around and what are essential theory to draw the better
connection between conceptual frameworks. That’s why, it also concerned about the sociological
theories, which are easily describing the social phenomenon.
On the basis of evidence, it can be determined that increases suicide rates and decline the
connection pattern with another aspects. Inequalities are considered as major issue or problem
that likely to affect on the working people. it will be categorising the group of people on the
9

basis of their class, identifying the differences in their pay scale. Therefore, it directly affecting
on the relationship between employees and employers. In order to increase the inequalities while
generating more conflict among individuals.
For resolving these issue in the society while implementing the sociology theories for
improving the current situation or condition. In this way, the importance of theories which are
prominently because it quietly explaining the social life of individuals. It is not completely
eliminate the problem but help for precisely and great with criticism.
Functionalism theory will help for strongly handle the social stability and adequately
manage the social interaction with another person. By using this theory, it can be performed the
different function in order to manage or control the social stability. Therefore, it may acquire the
slow social change which becoming desirable but rapidly change threatens.
On the other hand, importance of conflict theory in context of inequality when it may
characterized the society of inequality on the basis of gender, class and other factors. It would be
required to eliminate or minimise the social inequality. Afterwards, it will be creating a proper
egalitarian society. Apart from that it also focused on the symbolic interactionism which mainly
constructing the roles as they interact, learn about the society (Padavic, Ely and Reid, 2020). On
the basis of interaction happens, each and every individuals negotiate that define the current
situation or condition. it is helping for exchange the gesture to reach towards shared
understanding of particular interaction.
Determine the pattern of inequalities that could be identified in the contemporary world of work
Social inequality is defined the unequal distribution of value goods and opportunities.
Nowadays, different societies that have consider the social inequality. In order to examine the
different patterns, norms which are consistently durable system of stratification. Sometimes,
most of individual’s are thinking about the stratification within economic inequality. It just
harmful for overall economic nation as discrepancy (Padavic, Ely and Reid, 2020). It has been
increased the discrimination whether against the certain race, religions and ethnicity. It became
consider as casual factor which examine the current economic inequality in global world. In the
contemporary world, it may identify the gender based inequality at workplace. Consider as
global controversy surrounding the specific circumcision. This type of inequalities has been
10

occurred on the basis of individual who will not maintain the coordination between peoples.
Afterwards, it would be considered the different sociological theories which always supports for
comparing between the wealth, economic stability, and status, also highlights the different
pattern in context of social inequality within global world.
In 19th century, it was created the industrial revolution in which mainly focused on the
unprecedented wealth in the different countries. It has implemented the invention and new way
to establish the production process, individual people began working in different factories, not
only participating the men but also working both women and children. The industrial revolution
also increasing the inequalities between different nations (Padavic, Ely and Reid, 2020). At that
time, some of nations embraced with technology and increases wealth, goods other type of
maintenance. Afterwards, it applying a conflict theory, it assets the industrializing countries
appropriate manner and took advantage of multiple resources within traditional nations.
Multiple sociologists that are mainly adopting the different strategies to analyses
economic comparison on the basis of income, power and investment (Padavic, Ely and Reid,
2020). Furthermore, Global stratification will help for comparing between the quality of life,
individual citizen, group of people within large population.
A major concern about the discussion on the global inequality that is how to avoid bias
implying in the developed countries. The critical sociology is mainly focused on the reproduction
and creation of inequality. It is likely to address the systematic inequalities situation when core
countries exploit their essential resources (Padavic, Ely and Reid, 2020). Functionalism
perspective is to view that concern on the way of society. It might handle the global inequality
pattern while implementing the new modern policies for improving the current situation. It helps
for providing the equal right of people to adopt specific culture or environment.
11

CONCLUSION
From above discussion, it concluded that Sociology is based on the term which has been
conducted the study on the social lives of people, societies and groups. It provide the brief idea
about the social behaviour of individuals and covered everything through analysis. It has
summarised about the concept of sociology that mainly relates to the inequalities, which mainly
identified in the contemporary world of work. It can be determined the different sociological
theories which mainly performing the significant role in the enterprises. Sometimes, it including
the functionalism, conflict and Symbolic interactionist theory. Afterwards, it has been
represented the significance of sociology theories in context of inequalities and patterns.
12

REFERENCES
Book and Journals
Avent‐Holt, D. and Tomaskovic‐Devey, D., 2019. Organizations as the building blocks of social
inequalities. Sociology Compass. 13(2). p.e12655.
Baylis, J., 2020. The globalization of world politics: An introduction to international relations.
Oxford university press. USA.
Campero, S. and Fernandez, R.M., 2019. Gender composition of labor queues and gender
disparities in hiring. Social Forces. 97(4). pp.1487-1516.
Dillon, M., 2020. Introduction to sociological theory: Theorists, concepts, and their applicability
to the twenty-first century. John Wiley & Sons.
Edgell, S. and Granter, E., 2019. The sociology of work: Continuity and change in paid and
unpaid work. SAGE Publications Limited.
Muñoz, H. ed., 2019. From dependency to development: strategies to overcome
underdevelopment and inequality. Routledge.
Padavic, I., Ely, R.J. and Reid, E.M., 2020. Explaining the persistence of gender inequality: The
work–family narrative as a social defense against the 24/7 work culture. Administrative
Science Quarterly. 65(1).pp.61-111.
Ransome, P., 2019. Sociology and the future of work: contemporary discourses and debates.
Routledge.
Ray, V., 2019. A theory of racialized organizations. American Sociological Review. 84(1). pp.26-
53.
13