SOCIETY

 When we study culture, it is always in the

context group or social meanings because, again,
we can’t call something a culture unless a number
or people recognizes and practices it. When
we study politics, it is always in the context of
social relations because politics is defined as
“power relations”; it is the “unequal”
relationship between two or more people, or
the relationship between people and their
government. In other words, when we study
ways of life and power relations, we look into the
groups of people interacting with each other,
making meanings, living out traditions, and
exercising power over each other—we are
actually looking into society.
 1-2 HERMIT: You might have a terrible case of social anxiety,
distrust towards people, or you may be living far away from
other people.(alone)
 3-13 MAVERICK: You’re not really shy, just an introvert that
relates with people who you really need. (INDEPENDENT)
 14-31 APPRENTICE: You are sociable enough to establish
few(learning a practical experience)
connections outside the family.
 32-47 EXPLORER: You have expanded your social comfort
zone. Your social connections are not limited to your basic
needs and you have a “good radar” for the happenings
around you.
 48-63 NETWORKER: You have a good and wide social
connection that can help you get around your community. You
don’t just have a “goodradar”, you hold a good amount of
information.
 64-81 INFLUENCER: You don’t just know people; people know
you, too,and recognize your ability. Use your “social power”
well.
SOCIETY
“a large group of people who live together in an
organized way, making decisions about how to do
things and sharing the work that needs to be done”
(Cambridge English Dictionary (2020)
in the 21st Century where globalization is
undeniably taking place. Just look at the tag of
clothes, the label in your store-bought food, the
news in the radio or television, the materials for
building the home where you’re staying—all
manufactured, exported or imported. Therefore,
you’re not living in a vacuum(VACANT); you’re living
connectedly to people outside the comfort of your
home.
 SOCIOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
 CONFLICT THEORY
 STRUCTURATION THEORY
Structural Functionalism
◦ Just like the Human Body
◦ If you believe that everyone is in his/her
proper place; that everyone fulfills a
specific function that only he/she can do; and
that every part of our society is essential, then
you already have understood how SF or
Structural Functionalism sees society—
everyone, every relationship and every
structure serves a purpose in maintaining
society.
 Each structure has its own function to fulfill to maintain
the stability of society:
the family is the first teacher and training ground of
an individual before he/she steps out of the house;
the school reinforces what was taught in the
family, and teaches the individual to be an obedient and
productive citizen; mass media promotes the values and
attitudes learned by an individual by producing shows
with characters that model the desired characteristics;
the government keeps the individual safe, and
monitors individual behavior that can harm the society;
and
the church would cultivate the spirituality of the
individual, and would teach the value faith and patience,
instead of rebellion, in times of hardships
To conclude, remember that when using
SF as your “lens” to view society, always
ask, “To what social structure does this
role belong to?” and “How does this social
structure contribute to the order and
stability of society?”
SF investigates the orderliness of society,
our next perspective sees society as a
struggle
Determine the social structure to which the following roles
belong to and try to explain the function of these roles in the
maintenance or order in society.
Social structure: Education, Health sector, Market,
Government, Religion
CONFLICT THEORY
- Inequality all around
- Conflict theory is a reaction to SF because
it views social structures as unfair and
promotes inequality in society
- This theory came from Karl Marx’s theory
(Marxism) that views the conflict between
the rich capitalists or business owners
(bourgeoisie) and the working class
(proletariat).
Conflict theory believes that SF’s
perspective is used by those in power to
control the less privileged to maintain
their position of power
Conflict theory sees that inequality is
present in all social structures.
( interaction/relationship of
individual in society)
STRUCTURATION THEORY
SF gave us a very positive view on
society, but Conflict theory presented the
problems of SF. These two perspectives are
like opposite poles. To balance these
opposing views, we will have the middle
ground of Structuration theory
 Tobalance these opposing views, we will have the
middle ground of Structuration theory. But before
we learn how this theory sees society, let’s
introduce a new concept. For structuration theory,
we will use the concept agency ( the capacity of
individual to have a power/resources to fullfill their
potential), instead of individuals. Agency is the
“power” or capacity of individuals to decide and
make decisions for themselves. Agency then is not
dictated by social structures; it is independent and
can change the social structures. Now going back
to our theory, Structuration theory suggests that
social structures and agency have a dynamic
relationship, meaning the social structures affect
agency much the same way that agency affects
the social structures; not one factor is more
powerful than the other.
Using structuration theory, you can break
away from your status and contribute to
changes in society: you can become a
boss, too, and you can help your
employees reach higher position than
yours; you can be an obedient citizen
while holding your government
accountable of its actions; you can be
devote to your religion and at the same
time propose changes for improvement
Structuration theory doesn’t see social
structures and agency as enemies, but as
interacting elements in society.
 Determine
whether the
statements are
True or False.
1. Society is made up of only a few
people. _______
2. Society is made up of
interconnected individuals. _______
3. Conflict theory is a reaction to
Structural functionalism. _______
4. Structural functionalism sees
society as stable and orderly. _______
5. Conflict theory sees the struggle
between man and animals.
6. Structuration studies the interaction
between SF and Conflict theory in society.
7. Travel agency is the power or ability to
make choices. _______
8. SF means Structural functionalism.
_______
9. If one-part changes, all the other parts
also change—this is according to Structural
functionalism. _______
10. Agency is more powerful than social
structures—this is according to
Structuration.
 5 POINTS
Have you heard about the “feral children”? These are children
found living alone, usually in the wild, without humans taking care
of them. For those found in the forests, some say that animals
took care and raised the children. Maybe you have seen the movie
Tarzan or heard of the character Mowgli from The Jungle Book.
They are examples of feral children that were eventually
brought back to society. Do you think humans can really live
outside of society? Imagine being raised by an animal. What would
happen when, after long years of living with animals, a person is
placed in society? What would be the challenges? Do you think
that person could forget what he “learned” from the animals?

Think and try to imagine the situation of a feral child. Write

your thoughts or reflections about the questions about. (minimum
of 200 words)