Author Question: According to the functionalist perspective, if a society is to function well, its people need to be ... (Read 95 times)

penguins · **on:** Jul 2, 2018

According to the functionalist perspective, if a society is to function well, its people need to be healthy enough to perform their normal roles.

Explain how the elements of the sick role and the role of gatekeepers to the sick role fit the functionalist perspective.
What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is the role of the precipitating event as a part of the cycle of a riot?

What will be an ideal response?

blfontai · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The sick role consists of four elements: a) the person is not held responsible for being sick; b) the person is exempt from his/her normal responsibilities; c) the person does not like the role and, d) he/she will seek competent help to get well. If the person does not seek competent help, he/she is held responsible for being sick and will be viewed as wrongfully claiming the sick role. Parents and physicians are viewed as gatekeepers to the sick. They judge whether a person's feelings of illness and his/her claim to being sick are legitimate or not. Parents are usually the primary gatekeeper of the sick role for children; physicians are the main gatekeepers for adults.

Answer to Question 2

The precipitating event brings pent-up feelings to a boiling point that can erupt into violent behavior.