Society, Social Society, Social Structure, Social Structure, Social

InteractionInteraction

Social InteractionSocial Interaction: is the process by : is the process by which people act toward or respond to which people act toward or respond to other people and is the foundation for other people and is the foundation for all relationships and groups within all relationships and groups within society.society.

Social StructureSocial Structure: is the stable pattern : is the stable pattern of social relationships that exists of social relationships that exists within a particular group of societywithin a particular group of society

Why is “social structure” Why is “social structure” important??important??

““It is essential for the It is essential for the survival of society and survival of society and well being of well being of individuals…it connects individuals…it connects us to the larger us to the larger society.”society.”

HomelessnessHomelessness

How do we define homelessness?How do we define homelessness?

Who are the homeless?Who are the homeless?

What are some stereotypes What are some stereotypes associated with homelessness?associated with homelessness?

Relative HomelessnessRelative Homelessnessvs.vs.

Absolute HomelessnessAbsolute Homelessness Relative HomelessnessRelative Homelessness: describes the : describes the

condition of those who have a physical condition of those who have a physical shelter, but one that does not meet basic shelter, but one that does not meet basic standards of health and safety (protection standards of health and safety (protection from elements, safe water, sanitation from elements, safe water, sanitation etc…)etc…)

Absolute HomelessnessAbsolute Homelessness: describes the : describes the condition of people without physical condition of people without physical shelter who sleep outdoors, in vehicles, shelter who sleep outdoors, in vehicles, abandoned buildings etc…abandoned buildings etc…

How Much Do you Know How Much Do you Know about Homelessness?about Homelessness?

1.1. Most people choose to be homeless.Most people choose to be homeless.2.2. The number of homeless persons in Canada has The number of homeless persons in Canada has

gradually declined over the past 30 years.gradually declined over the past 30 years.3.3. Homelessness is often caused by racism and Homelessness is often caused by racism and

discrimination.discrimination.4.4. Most homeless people are mentally ill.Most homeless people are mentally ill.5.5. Men over the age of 50 make up most of Canada’s Men over the age of 50 make up most of Canada’s

homeless population.homeless population.6.6. The number of homeless adolescents has increased The number of homeless adolescents has increased

in the past decade.in the past decade.7.7. One out of every 4 homeless persons are children.One out of every 4 homeless persons are children.8.8. There are approximately 20 000 homeless persons There are approximately 20 000 homeless persons

in Canada.in Canada.

AnswersAnswers1.1. Most people choose to be homeless. Most people choose to be homeless. FF2.2. The number of homeless persons in Canada has The number of homeless persons in Canada has

gradually declined over the past 30 years. gradually declined over the past 30 years. FF3.3. Homelessness is often caused by racism and Homelessness is often caused by racism and

discrimination.discrimination.TT4.4. Most homeless people are mentally ill. Most homeless people are mentally ill. FF5.5. Men over the age of 50 make up most of Men over the age of 50 make up most of

Canada’s homeless population. Canada’s homeless population. FF6.6. The number of homeless adolescents has The number of homeless adolescents has

increased in the past decade. increased in the past decade. TT7.7. One out of every 4 homeless persons are One out of every 4 homeless persons are

children. children. TT8.8. There are approximately 20 000 homeless There are approximately 20 000 homeless

persons in Canada. persons in Canada. FF

Compare Functional and Compare Functional and Conflict Perspectives of Conflict Perspectives of

Social Structure:Social Structure:Functional Functional PerspectivePerspective

Conflict Conflict PerspectivePerspective

What would you do?HomelessHomeless

FUNCTIONALIST FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE ON SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE ON SOCIAL

STRUCTURE:STRUCTURE: Essential because it creates order and Essential because it creates order and

predictability in a societypredictability in a society Important for human development as we Important for human development as we

develop a self concept when we learn develop a self concept when we learn attitudes, values, and behaviours of the attitudes, values, and behaviours of the people around uspeople around us

Gives us the ability to interpret the social Gives us the ability to interpret the social situations we encountersituations we encounter

Social structure helps people make sense Social structure helps people make sense of their surroundings…ie. homelessof their surroundings…ie. homeless

CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE ON SOCIAL STRUCTURE:ON SOCIAL STRUCTURE:

Limits our options and places us in Limits our options and places us in arbitrary categories not of our own arbitrary categories not of our own choosingchoosing

There is more to the social structure than There is more to the social structure than is readily visibleis readily visible

Reflects a system of relationships of Reflects a system of relationships of domination of categories of peopledomination of categories of people

Creates boundaries that define which Creates boundaries that define which persons or groups will be the “insiders” persons or groups will be the “insiders” and which will be the “outsiders”and which will be the “outsiders”

SOCIAL MARGINALITY:SOCIAL MARGINALITY:

is the state of being part insider and is the state of being part insider and part outsider in the social structure.part outsider in the social structure.

Immigrants simultaneously share the Immigrants simultaneously share the life and traditions of two distinct life and traditions of two distinct groups.groups.

STIGMA:STIGMA:

is any physical or social attribute or is any physical or social attribute or sign that so devalues a person’s sign that so devalues a person’s social identity that disqualifies that social identity that disqualifies that person from full social acceptance.person from full social acceptance.

Criminal- prison uniformCriminal- prison uniform