Analysis of the Sociological Theories The Progeria Research Foundation is an organization that helps children that has Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome or commonly known as progeria. Progeria is a rare fatal genetic disease that affects children by accelerating the aging process of their appearance. There is no cure for this disease and the average life span of a child with this disorder is fourteen years of age. My senior year of high school I dedicated my senior project to this organization to raise awareness and help donate money towards a cure, and since then I have been a member. Looking at this institution from a sociological point of view I will analyze it using thee major sociological theories which are structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
Starting with a macro-level theory, structural functionalism is about how a group/individuals work together coherently to provide social order. Talcott Parson is the founder of this theory, but the theory was also highly influenced by Emile Durkheim. Structural functionalism is very interdependence driven. Within the Progeria organization an example of interdependence would be between the medical researchers and the patients. This relationship is what drives the entire organization. They both rely on each other for scientific purposes for the researchers and for keeping the hope alive for the patients.
This combination of science and hope creates a functional environment that manifest peace despite dire situations. Although the medical researchers and patients are important they are not the only parts of the equation. Business officials, donators, parents, and supporters are all part of what makes this organization an integrated whole. All. .s.
The three theories structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism all gives us a in depth look of different perspectives of the organization. Through structural functionalism the social cohesion of the organization is science and hope. Through the specialized roles through out the organization all of them promote hope and finding a cure. Furthermore conflict theory is the oppression that the children feel through legitimations through language and the media, or art. Making the children feel or think that they are not the norm because of their differences leads to the society oppressing them and making them feel less inferior. Lastly symbolic interactionism is them identify their selves as individuals not as the disease.
Socialization of the children in this institution helps develop their sense of self, and not develop a role as a victim.
