Category: Conflict

Social conflict results from growing contradictions that appear as a conflict between diverse social groups. Social conflicts unavoidably arise and worsen as a result of the heterogeneity of society and variations in status and well-being. Because this process involves disputes and their resolution, Coser saw social conflicts as one of the prerequisites for societys progress. The MeToo movement is one instance of social conflict that demonstrates Cosers point.

To help survivors of sexual assault find a road to healing, particularly young women of color from underprivileged neighborhoods, Tarana Burke launched the MeToo movement in 2006. The conflict serves as a signal, indicating that there are issues present. It functions as an indicator showing the state of society, the desires of people, their dissatisfaction with the current situation, and the reasons for this dissatisfaction. MeToo informs people about problems with womens safety, constitutional rights, and freedom of choice. Several states approved legislation banning the use of nondisclosure agreements in situations of sexual misconduct as the #MeToo movement gained popularity. California outlawed the agreements in cases of sexual assault, harassment, or sexism in September 2018 (North, 2019). The criminal justice system has improved due to the movement, which is a development and positive change.

According to the sociological theory known as symbolic interactionism, interactions between people and how they perceive the world are the foundation of society (Del Casino & Thien, 2020). Social conflict is formed by collective meaning and effort since it is a social action. When people discover a problem, they cooperate to find a solution by sharing opinions. For example, symbolic interactionism is in line with the idea of the MeToo movement. The movement brings sexual assault to the publics attention through verbal and symbolic signals. As a result, issues relating to womens safety are gradually being resolved. Many victims of sexual abuse would have remained silent and continued to deal with the horrible experience if it were not for the MeToo movement. Instead, they are speaking up about the issue, which will help them obtain the required assistance, and act as a change indicator.

Reference

Del Casino, V. J., & Thien, D. (2020). Symbolic Interactionism. International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 177181.

North, A. (2019). 7 positive changes that have come from the #MeToo movement. Vox. 

Due to human nature, people very often come into conflict with each other. Differences of opinion or personal problems can be a cause for such disputes. However, any collision can be avoided by using specially designed conflict prevention methods. This essay aims to analyze the current conflict situation and apply the proposed resolution process to it.

The situation in which I participated as a witness serves as the basis for the analysis. The conflict arose due to disagreements regarding the further direction in one of the creative groups. The discussion was based on the schedule according to which the artists had to present their work. The leader of the artistic team insisted on strict discipline in the relationships between group members. Instead of maintaining the existing friendly atmosphere, the administrator tried to achieve a strict order.

In other words, she tried to turn the hobby of artists into unpaid work. From her point of view, an authoritarian communication style was used, as the leader appealed to her position. Thus, the administrator tried to solve the problem of dropped creativity. The members of the group, in turn, did not notice the problem of insufficient fulfillment of the plan, being distracted by communication with each other. When the administrator tried to instill discipline in the group, the creative team members began to actively defend their freedom, using a protective style of communication.

In the conflict described above, two main points led to the fact that the situation was never resolved. First of all, the administrator was unable to convey her point of view because she lacked communication skills. If she followed the precise structure of a pre-planned meeting, clearly demonstrating the existing problem, the situation could be solved positively (Communication skills, n.d.). On the other hand, the situation could have been fixed after it had arisen if each side followed an interest-based approach. Its main points are separating the problem from people, teamwork, and careful listening to the opposite side (Conflict resolution, n.d.). By taking into account the interests of both groups, the problem could be solved calmly and effectively.

Thus, any existing conflict can be both prevented in advance and eliminated after its appearance. In the first case, preparatory leadership work and honing communication skills are required. The second method is more complicated, as it requires attention to each others interests from the entire team. However, both approaches can be implemented for practical joint problem-solving.

References

Communication skills  start here. (n.d.). Web.

Conflict resolution. (n.d.). Web.

The understanding of whether a particular action is right or wrong depends on the perspective of a moral theory from which it is viewed. Deontological and consequential ethics are contrasting moral codes that often give contradictory views on different problems. According to Vaughn (2019), deontological ethics implies the vision of action as wrong or right that depends on the nature of the action itself (p. 69). In other words, the rightness of the action depends on ones intent to do a proper thing defined by duty. Consequential theories, on the contrary, explain the rightness of the action by its consequences and the amount of good it can give to other people. The case under discussion provides a moral dilemma when adhering to the rules contradicts the desire to do someone good. Duty, in this case, should be trumped by good, as these rules conflict with an understanding of what is right.

Long-Term Consequences

If Daniel had viewed the given situation only from the deontological perspective, he would have complied with the corporate policy, and that would be the end of the case. However, he realized that under these circumstances, the consequences of the right action would bring no good. That is why the given situation should be considered from the consequential perspective. Vaughn (2019) explains consequential ethical theories as those that define the rightness of action according to the outcomes it brings. There are cases, however, when good intentions cause wrong results due to incorrect judgment of the consequences. Human inability to predict all the possible outcomes of the action, neither good nor bad, speaks in favor of the ethics of duty and adhering to rules and principles. That is why it is necessary to consider at least some possible long-term consequences of Daniels decision for Carol, himself, and the company.

Outcome 1

The most evident consequence of the exception from the rules is the impact on the treatment of Carol, an employee patient. It should be mentioned that granting her financial support does not guarantee positive health outcomes as other clinical factors do not depend on the money. However, the companys failure to provide help would be catastrophic for her, as she has no other resources. Even if no cure can be granted by this help, it is difficult to detect any harm that financial support from the company can bring to Carols health. In the case of Carols full recovery, the company will have their already trained and experienced employee back, which is also a positive outcome.

Outcome 2

As the consequences of granting the exception from the rules for Carol are considered positive for her, the long-term effects of this action for the company can be controversial. To see the possible impact of the decision to break company rules, one should look at the reasons behind this policy. Financial loss and bureaucratic complications are the primary negative consequences of rule violation. Although cancer treatment is expensive for an employee, a solitary act of financial support will have little impact on a large-scale business. However, it may have severe consequences when the information on this rule violation becomes known.

First of all, the disclosure of information about the rule violation raises the question of the exception being made to a single employee. Similar cases probably occurred in an extensive multihospital system during the years of service, and the exception from the rules made for Carol would make other people who were not granted financial support feel offended. It may harm the hospitals reputation as that where inequality is supported. The privilege made for Carol may thus harm her further well-being at work. Secondly, this case can become a precedent for other employees to demand help, referring to the situation of Carol. Providing this support would put the company at a financial disadvantage, and failing to do so would damage its reputation.

Outcome 3

There is an alternative way for the company to manage the disclosure of such a precedent. The reason why duty conflicts with good in this situation are the imperfection of the rules which cannot grant the morally right attitude to the employees. If Daniel sees this flaw in the corporate policy and believes that it should be done otherwise, he should proceed with his position. Besides the case with Carol, the attempt should be made to change the rules. The increase in insurance compensation is often be viewed as financially disadvantageous for the business. However, when properly managed, it can be covered by the salaries, and it has the potential to bring indirect benefits, improving employees well-being and the attractiveness of the company at the job market.

When Duty Should be Trumped by Good

Moral duty or obligation is a key concept of deontological ethics. Doing the actions that are considered ethical by nature, not by their consequences, is the imperative of non-consequential theories. As Vaughn (2019) explains, actions have moral worth only when they are performed with ones goodwill, namely for the sake of duty. Kants ethics implies that the actions have value when they are done out of pure reverence for the moral law (Vaughn, 2019, p. 102). Although acting dutifully instead of minding the consequences can be beneficial and help to avoid mistakes in outcome prediction, this theory has some severe drawbacks.

First of all, focus on ones actions instead of others well-being is egoistic. Acting out of duty prevents one from remorse and from what religion calls sin. However, thinking about the good for others even when one should act improperly is more altruistic as it demonstrates care for others instead of concern for ones conscience. Secondly, the rules cannot be implied to any situation without thinking as the variables may differ. In such cases, acting according to moral imperatives brings more harm than good. Moreover, the rules, duties, and policies should be tested by time, questioned, and revised when they bring no use. The occurrence of moral dilemmas is proof that doing ones duty is not sufficient to direct people to the right choice.

In the discussed case, Daniels vision of what is good contradicts the corporate policy. Although deontological ethics does not simply look at the consequences, the primary role of duty is to bring good to humanity, regulating peoples behavior. The current situation shows that specific rules fail to cope with this mission due to their flaws. Adhering to the corporate policy would bring no blame on David and would clear his conscience, but his moral principles do not align with these rules. The reason is in the flaws of the regulations, and the exception made for Carol should become a precedent for further changes.

Deontological Ethics in Conflict with Consequential Ethics

Conflicts between deontological moral imperative and concern for consequences occur when the duties cannot motivate the right actions. Different cases of ethical dilemmas show that the conflict can be either internal or external. External conflict arises when the regulations of a particular community contradict a persons belief of what is right. For example, when a soldier should follow the order even though he or she believes that it is wrong, a moral dilemma occurs. However, deontological ethics is not based merely on following rules, but on setting strong beliefs and ethical principles for people to follow. According to Paquette, Sommerfeldt, and Kent (2015), a central principle of Kantian deontological ethics, that respect, and empathy for the other is paramount (p. 32). Several perfect duties, such as the obligation not to lie or not to break a promise, should be followed, according to deontological ethics, without fail (Vaughn, 2019). Nevertheless, in some cases, people feel that following such obligations brings more harm than good, and under such circumstances, internal moral conflicts occur.

In such contradictory situations, human behavior differs according to their beliefs. However, studies show that people tend to show intuitive sensitivity to conflict between deontological and utilitarian aspects of a classic moral dilemma (BiaBek & Neys, 2017, p. 162). The feeling of what is right is perceived intuitively by each individual, even those whose primary imperative is to act according to the duty. The discussed case provides an example of the external conflict of a persons (Daniels) moral beliefs and corporate policy. The foundation for his reasoning is his understanding of what is right and the inability of the corporate regulations to maximize the best outcomes for the employees.

Conclusion

Deontological ethics, developed by Kant, implies the supremacy of the dutiful action disregarding the outcomes for other people. However, there are cases when doing the right thing does more harm than good. That is why internal or external conflicts occur under such circumstances, as people intuitively tend to think of outcomes. The discussed case is an example of the situation when duty should be trumped by good, and the existing rules should be questioned.

References

BiaBek, M., & Neys, W. D. (2017). Conflict detection during moral decision-making: evidence for deontic reasoners utilitarian sensitivity. Judgment and Decision Making, 12(2), 148-167.

Paquette, M., Sommerfeldt, E. J., & Kent, M. L. (2015). Do the ends justify the means? Dialogue, development, communication, and deontological ethics. Public Relations Review, 41(1), 30-39. Web.

Vaughn, L. (2019). Doing ethics: Moral reasoning and contemporary issues. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company.

Devlin, J. M., Toof, J., West, L., Andrews, N., & Cole, J. (2019). Integrative family counseling. The Family Journal, 27(3), 319324. Web.

The given article delves into the peculiarities of family counseling and possible therapeutic outcomes. The authors assume that integration affects the counseling profession and can lead to better outcomes working with families that need support. One of the central benefits of the approach is the identification of problem sequences and converting them into solution sequences. It leads to the increased efficiency of possible interventions and family therapy. The authors state that 50-years experience resulted in the development of numerous techniques that can be used by therapists to assist families having problems and resolve issues by selecting the most potent solution. Under these conditions, the article proves the importance of integrative family counseling and its ability to work with various aspects.

Finney, N., & Tadros, E. (2019). Integration of structural family therapy and dialectical behavior therapy with high-conflict couples. The Family Journal, 27(1), 3136. Web.

The study revolves around the peculiarities of using structural family therapy (SFT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to help high-conflict couples and families. The authors assume that high conflicts, or continuous, stressful, and intense misunderstandings, affect households, partners, and most notably, children. It results in the critical deterioration of peoples well-being and the emergence of new psychological problems. Under these conditions, it is vital to use SFT and DBT to address stressors and factors leading to growing tension. The authors appeal to the conducted study within a family in a high conflict state to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed interventions and possibilities for its future use. The study fills the gap related to how to combine both methods to acquire the best possible outcome.

Koppejan-Luitze, H. S., van der Wal, R. C., Kluwer, E. S., Visser, M. M., & Finkenauer, C. (2021). Are intense negative emotions a risk for complex divorces? An examination of the role of emotions in divorced parents and co-parenting concerns. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(2), 765782. Web.

The authors focus on investigating different types of divorce and the factors leading to them. Comparing regular divorces and complex ones, the researchers assume that more intense negative emotions lead to the growing misunderstandings between individuals and their inability to make a compromise. Under these conditions, fear, shame, guilt, or anxiety are viewed as factors leading to the emergence of additional problems between individuals and complex divorces. The findings of the given article prove the significance of the emotional component in the divorce process and the necessity to address it to ensure there are no critical outcomes influencing co-parenting behaviors and children.

Mutchler, M. S. (2017). Family counseling with high-conflict separated parents: Challenges and strategies. The Family Journal, 25(4), 368375. Web.

The paper investigates the role of family counseling in conflicts and divorces. The authors assume that when parents separate, they and their children experience severe emotional consequences that might have a critical impact on their mental health and well-being. Under these conditions, it is necessary to create a more collaborative relationship to attain positive outcomes. Family counseling becomes a potent tool for such families as it allows the framework for interaction and problem-solving. The authors offer examples from relevant cases to demonstrate various methods and challenges counselors might face working with such households to resolve their problems and align improved understanding between all parties.

Wickrama, K., ONeal, C. W., & Klopack, E. T. (2020). Couple-level stress proliferation and husbands and wives distress during the life course. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 82(3), 10411055. Web.

The given study researches the structure of the dyadic stress proliferation process among married couples. The authors assume a direct correlation between stress proliferation and the quality of family relations. Conducting the research among married couples, the authors come to the conclusion that husbands and wives psychological distress is influenced by couple-level stress processes. It means that by impacting the given aspect, it is possible to attain better outcomes and reduce divorce rates. Resting on this study results, it is possible to develop prevention programs focusing on improving well being of married couples and reducing the risk of critical misunderstandings between them.

Checklist

Devlin, J. M., Toof, J., West, L., Andrews, N., & Cole, J. (2019). Integrative family counseling. The Family Journal, 27(3), 319324. Web.

1. The article comes from a peer-reviewed source, The Family Journal. It was reviewed by experts.
2. The article has a stated research problem which is the investigation of integrative therapy.
3. The research provides a theoretical background of the problem comprised of previous investigations results.
4. Using the literature review, the authors collected data to support their central assumptions.
5. The authors explained the selection of the research method and how it was implemented.
6. I agree with the authors findings as they rest on reliable findings and credible data
7. The article is organized and easy to follow as it has sections outlining the main ideas.
8. The most important is that it explains the major features of integrative therapy.

Finney, N., & Tadros, E. (2019). Integration of structural family therapy and dialectical behavior therapy with high-conflict couples. The Family Journal, 27(1), 3136. Web.

1. The article comes from the peer-reviewed Family Journal, which offers papers reviewed by experts.
2. The authors introduce the aim, which is to close the existing gap in research.
3. The research has a section called Theoretical and Research Basis integrating previous studies.
4. The primary data for the research was collected by using a case study method which is relevant here.
5. The procedures are clearly outlined and explained by the researchers in an appropriate section
6. I agree with the central conclusions as authors use data collected via the case study
7. The sections help to navigate through the paper and understand it.
8. The most important fact is that it helps to understand how both therapies can be used.

Koppejan-Luitze, H. S., van der Wal, R. C., Kluwer, E. S., Visser, M. M., & Finkenauer, C. (2021). Are intense negative emotions a risk for complex divorces? An examination of the role of emotions in divorced parents and co-parenting concerns. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(2), 765782. Web.

1. The article comes from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, which offers only peer-reviewed papers.
2. The stated problem is to explore the role of negative emotions in post-divorce parenting concerns.
3. The study contains a section integrating information from previous studies.
4. The new data was collected among 327 divorced parents who had two children on average.
5. The methodology section clearly describes how the data was collected
6. The findings cannot be doubted as the collected credible data proves them.
7. The article contains sections helping readers to understand it.
8. The major strength is the use of statistical data from divorced parents to prove major assumptions.

Mutchler, M. S. (2017). Family counseling with high-conflict separated parents: Challenges and strategies. The Family Journal, 25(4), 368375. Web.

1. The article comes from the Family Journal, a credible source with peer-reviewed papers.
2. The article has a research problem which is to investigate the idea of high conflict and counseling.
3. The central definitions were given using previous studies and findings.
4. New data to support assumptions were taken from several example cases.
5. The data collection procedure is clearly outlined and explained for readers.
6. I agree with conclusions as they are formulated after the conducted research.
7. The authors offer sections with subheadings to improve the papers understanding.
8. The article is a valuable source for understanding how counseling can help in conflicts.

Wickrama, K., ONeal, C. W., & Klopack, E. T. (2020). Couple-level stress proliferation and husbands and wives distress during the life course. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 82(3), 10411055. Web.

1. The article comes from the peer-reviewed publication in The Journal of Marriage and the Family.
2. The authors offer a clear objective of the paper, which is to investigate the stress proliferation process.
3. The paper contains the research background section outlining the previous findings.
4. The data was acquired from the Iowa Youth and Family Project.
5. The methodology section helps to understand how the authors gather information.
6. The authors conclusions are clear and can be used in new projects.
7. The structure is evident as the paper is divided into subsections.
8. The papers strength is that it clearly shows the impact of stress proliferation on couples.

References

Devlin, J. M., Toof, J., West, L., Andrews, N., & Cole, J. (2019). Integrative family counseling. The Family Journal, 27(3), 319324. Web.

Finney, N., & Tadros, E. (2019). Integration of structural family therapy and dialectical behavior therapy with high-conflict couples. The Family Journal, 27(1), 3136. Web.

Koppejan-Luitze, H. S., van der Wal, R. C., Kluwer, E. S., Visser, M. M., & Finkenauer, C. (2021). Are intense negative emotions a risk for complex divorces? An examination of the role of emotions in divorced parents and co-parenting concerns. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(2), 765782. Web.

Mutchler, M. S. (2017). Family counseling with high-conflict separated parents: Challenges and strategies. The Family Journal, 25(4), 368375. Web.

Wickrama, K., ONeal, C. W., & Klopack, E. T. (2020). Couple-level stress proliferation and husbands and wives distress during the life course. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 82(3), 10411055. Web.

The two major branches of Islam are Sunni and Shiite (Shia). The division originated from the argument over who should succeed Muhammad and become a new leader for Muslims  a caliph. For the Sunnis, the main criterion was his qualities as a leader, while the Shiites paid more attention to his blood relation with Muhammad (Molloy, 2020). Originally, the Sunnis won the argument, and the first three caliphs were not related to Muhammad. However, the fourth one, Ali, was Muhammads cousin and son-in-law and was considered his real legitimate successor or an Imam by the Shiites. Shia Islam has several subsections, which differentiate the accepted number of Imams and their exact line of succession. Most Shiites believe there were twelve Imams, and they are called Twelvers (Molloy, 2020). Some arguments exist over the identities of the fifth and the seventh Imams. The groups who disagree with the Twelvers over them are called the Fivers (or Zaydis after Husseins grandson, Zayd ibn Ali) and the Seveners (or Ismailis after Imam Ismail), respectively (Molloy, 2020). According to Molloy (2020), Shia Islam is widely practiced by non-Arab Muslims, who feel inferior to those from the Arabian countries, the origin of Islam. The two major centers of Shia Islam today are Iran, with its large Shiite population, and Iraq, with its connection to Muhammads grandson Hussein, who died there (Molloy, 2020, p. 414). In brief, the Shiites consider Muhammads God-given authority hereditary and pay special tribute to his family.

The original theological conflict between the Sunnis and the Shiites has turned into a political dispute that still affects Islam and international politics. As Finnbogason et al. (2019) noted, there were periods when the two factions managed to live peacefully. The scholars add that it is not the community itself but separate military groups and political regimes that further fuel the violence (Finnbogason et al., 2019). Thus, using theological disputes as a pretext, politicians and terroristic groups, such as ISIL, turn the countries and regions into war zones and inflict fear on the world community. Moreover, this conflict distorts the perception of Islam and falsely portrays it as a violent religion, which negatively affects innocent Muslims worldwide.

References

Finnbogason, D., Larsson, G., & Svensson, I. (2019). Is Shia-Sunni violence on the rise? Exploring new data on Intra-Muslim organised violence 1989-2017. Civil Wars, 21(1), 25-53. Web.

Molloy, M. (2020). Experiencing the Worlds Religions (8^th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Many theories view conflict as a life situation. The hallmark of this relationship is the point of contention, which makes the conversation so heated. It should be understood that this type of conversation is very different from the usual one conducted by two or more people. An important feature is that such contentious situations often cannot be controlled, and this depends on the personal qualities of the people in conflict with each other. A vast range of theories explains not only the possible outcome but also the cause of conflict, some of which will be discussed in this paper.

This theory, the analysis of which this essay will focus, is a classical one, and most problematic situations begin with the way researchers interpret it. According to this theory, the main components of these conversations are people whose views are quite different in the same situation. It is also worth noting that the poor quality of communication is the less important feature of conflicts because they arise, according to the theory. It is not the technical aspect but the rhetoric of the people who explain their position and present arguments. Often this is inappropriate, and such conversations can only worsen the situation.

Thus, a second distinctive feature of this classical theory is formed. It states that conflict does not have good consequences since they all aim to prove one point of view (Conflict Management  Theory, Style & Conflict Types  ThesisBusiness). Finding a compromise solution to a problem or point of view takes some time, which cannot be done in a single conversation. The more advanced forms of such dialogues take more than one day to develop, which makes it possible to arrive at a consensus, but such cases are only isolated.

Such situations often arise not only in my own but also in the lives of others. Conflicts are an intrinsic part of many peoples existence since controversial situations occur very often, and it is impossible not to defend ones point of view. It is not surprising that there is a whole science devoted to conflict resolution, which tells about the necessary steps to reduce conflict and the suitable strategic approaches to argue your point of view. A personal example of the application of such argumentation can be arguments with friends about watching a particular movie. Such situations arise in almost every persons life on earth since everyones tastes are unique, and one cannot deny that everyone will argue their point of view. Therefore, to solve such situations, it is necessary to look for a compromise that will satisfy all parties to the conflict.

While considering this issue, I came across a study that looks at traditional and modern methods of conflict resolution in other countries, such as African countries. An essential feature of this study is to look at the cultural characteristics of the nations, which are different from the usual European and American countries (Akinwale 2021). It also helps to analyze the aspects of various conflict theories and how they relate to each other, as well as their distinctive features. Conflict is a method of conversation that does not belong to one country, and the views of different ethnic groups must be considered. After reading the paper, I was able to root this idea in my perception and treat such situations more correctly, putting into practice the knowledge I gained from my work.

Works Cited

Akinwale, Ayofe. Integrating the Traditional and the Modern Conflict Management Strategies in Nigeria. African Journal on Conflict Resolution, vol. 10, no. 3, 2021, Web.

Conflict Management  Theory, Style & Conflict Types  ThesisBusiness. Www.thesisbusiness.com, 2021, Web.

Introduction

Religion is a basic social institution that affects an individuals life from childhood to adulthood. Religion can be defined as a set of beliefs and practices which govern society, religion varies in different societies and also differs in the degree to which it is integrated into the society. It is based on the belief in a higher deity who controls the lives of the people by providing or restricting providence.

Religion plays an important role in society because it governs the behavior of the individuals in society and provides meaning to an individuals life, in this sense religion satisfies a human beings psychological needs as presented in Maslows hierarchy of needs (Schaefer 2008 P.86). In modern society there is much different religion, major ones include Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism.

Although these religions have different ideologies, they serve the same function in society. This paper seeks to establish the role of religion in three major sociological theories (functionalism, conflict, and Interactionism). In my study, I will examine how each theory perceives the individual, the similarities in the role that religion plays in the three theories, the differences, the effect on society, and how the theory affects social change.

Role of religion in functionalism

Functionalism theory was developed by a French sociologist thinker, Emile Durkheim. Functionalism is built on two major foundations; these include a scientific method and an analogy between society and a complex organism. Durkheim postulated that society is a complex entity that is highly differentiated in roles, he used imagery and compared society to human anatomy, and the anatomy is made up of different organs like kidneys, liver, heart, Brain, etc.

All these organs have important parts to play in the functioning of the body and no part of the anatomy can exist autonomously. Similarly, the society is highly differentiated into social institutions, these social institutions have different roles that are important for the functioning of the society, for example, the family is a social institution that ensures the continuity of the society by providing new members and concerning the discussion at hand, religion is an important social institution that instills values and norms in the society and generally dictating how the members of society should relate to one another (Durkheim, 1915 p. 65).

The social systems in the social work at establishing a state of equilibrium in the society, religion achieves this by instilling norms and values that will govern the behavior of individuals such that peace and order are maintained.

Functionalism does not explain the emergence of social change but only explains how the disturbance caused by the change is resolved. When there is a disturbance in the equilibrium in the society the social institutions work together to correct this disturbance for example when a member of society deviates from normal practices and begins to take part in acceptable activities, the religious institutions take it upon themselves to counsel the person if this does not work then other institutions such as the judicial institutions step in to correct the disturbance. Therefore in this theory, religion is a system in the society that contributes to the survival of the society.

Role of religion on conflict

This theory was developed by Karl Marx, this theory views society as a materialistic entity that favors the rich (capitalists/ bourgeoisie) and exploits the poor (workers/ proletariat) the capitalists control the means of production and employ the proletariat at minimal wages. Conflict arises between the Bourgeoisie and the proletariat due to their differences in goals, while the Bourgeoisies goal is to maximize profits by reducing the cost of production the proletariats goal is to increase their wages. According to Karl Marx, the only way that the proletariat can escape the cycle of poverty is through a revolution that will replace the capitalist system with communism.

According to the conflict, theory religion poses a threat to liberalization from oppression because it seeks to justify an individuals position in the society thus the quote by Marx is that religion is opium for the masses meaning that it blinds the people from seeing their oppressed lifestyle. Hence religion is seen as a tool for the capitalist to control the masses by justifying their positions in society, examples of religious teachings that justify a stratification in society Are a verse from the bible that blesses the meek in the society and promises them a greater reward in the hereafter.

In his theory of Alienation Marx describes religion as an asocial construct that has been attributed immense power by its creators (society) such that it has become an independent entity that exercises control; over the lives of the creators. In conflict, theory religion is an agent that hinders the process of social change by encouraging complacency and supporting the class structures that are present in the society.

Religion in Interactionism

Interactionism was put forth by Marx Weber. This theory provides meaning to human behavior; it states that human behavior is governed by the meaning they attach to various symbols. These symbols are diverse and vary; examples of symbols are language, the national flag, the family, religious institutions, etc. Societys functions are viewed as a series of interactions between individuals in the society, these interactions are organized in nature (Wimberley 1989 pp. 125-142)

Internationalism postulates that human interaction and behavior are comprised of interactions and negotiations which eventually create relationships that are temporary and dynamic. In this theory, religion is a form of symbolic internationalism which governs the behavior of individuals. Religion gives meaning to the behavior of people, for example when a person does good in this life he believes that he will be rewarded in the afterlife, this will motivate him to work harder in the current life by doing a lot of good work to reap the benefits later. In this theory people are regarded as the agents of social processes, social change occurs in the context of these interactions, social change takes a long time as the individuals must change their habits and adapt, religion does not assist in catalyzing the process but rather slows it down.

Similarities

n all three theories religion plays a vital role in controlling human behavior. Religion instills values and norms that govern the behavior of individuals with each other, these values provide a platform for judging what is generally accepted and what is deviant. In all the three theories religion affects society from the individual level (micro-level) religion affects the behavior of each person individually and the total effect on the individuals life is the effect on the society (Van Court Hare1995 p. 67). In all three theories, Religion does not facilitate social change but rather helps to maintain a status quo. Religion acts as a means for maintaining law and order and a system through which individuals can find answers to unexplained phenomena thereby giving the individuals psychological satisfaction.

Differences

There are not many differences in the role of religion in the three perspectives because religion serves the same purpose, the difference lies in the foundation of the theory (Schaefer 2008 P. 95). In the Interactionism theory religion is a form of interaction while in the conflict theory and the functionalism theory it serves only as a means of governance. Conflict theory addresses religion as a social construct while Interactionism and functionalism view religion as a means for the functioning of the society.

Conclusion

From the discussion, we note that religion is a very important part of any society. Although religion is dynamic and is different in all societies, the purpose remains the same. Religion helps to maintain order and peaceful coexistence in society and at the same time, it gives meaning to the life and actions of individuals. The position of religion in all three sociological perspectives is strikingly similar. The major differences lie in the goal that religion seeks to achieve, while in functionalism theory and Interactionism theory religion is a means through which social systems function, in the conflict theory it is a social vice because it encourages class stratification.

We note that religion works by affecting the life of every individual and its impact on society is determined by measuring the total effect on the entire individual. We have established the role of religion in the three major sociological theories (functionalism, conflict, and Interactionism)

References

Durkheim, E. (1915). The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life: A Study in Religious Sociology. Trans. Joseph Ward Swain. New York: Macmillan.

Schaefer, R. T. (2008). Sociology: A Brief Introduction. 8th Edition, Columbus: McGraw Hill publishers.

Van Court Hare, Jr. (1955). Philosophy of Science. The University of Chicago Press, Vol. 22, No 1 p. 69. Chicago.

Wimberley, D. W. (1989). Religion and Role-Identity: A Structural Symbolic Interactionist Conceptualization of Religiosity The Sociological Quarterly. Blackwell Publishing, Vol. 30, No. 1 pp. 125-142. New Jersey.

Introduction

Childrens conflicts can arise over resources, discipline, communication difficulties, values, and needs. Childrens conflicts can be intrapersonal, interpersonal, and group conflicts. Situations arise in childrens interactions that require consistency, a benevolent attitude toward peers, and the ability to give up personal desires to achieve common goals.

Discussion

In junior school, the child is not yet aware of his inner world, experiences, intentions, and interests, so imagining what the other feels is not easy. He sees only the external behavior of the other: pushing, shouting, disturbing, and taking away toys, but he does not understand that each peer is a person with his inner world, interests, and desires. It is important to help the child to look at himself or herself and the peer from the outside. In the group, children, popular and unpopular, stand out vividly. Popular children are dexterous, skillful, smart, and neat; unpopular children are seen as unkempt, quiet, whiny, harmful, aggressive, weak, and poor at play and speech (among such children, children from conflict families with acutely unfavorable emotional atmospheres, children from families with hypo- or hyperopic, disharmonious types of parenting, they are aggressive, poorly controlling their behavior, anxious children). Peers are irritated by those children with whom it is difficult to agree, who break the rules, who cannot play, and who are slow, unintelligent, and unskillful.

I chose the Als Pals program because it covers the most important aspects of conflict resolution in childrens groups. It is the program that teaches children to understand their feelings and their causes. The program is based on proven factual data so that it can be trusted. The program includes authors songs for children and lots of interactives.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to express, understand, and manage emotions. Not giving in to a public tantrum, concentrating on time, motivating others to run, recognizing danger, and being able to comfort a crying comrade are just some examples of mastering emotional intelligence. Parents usually try to focus on the development of academic skills. It is believed that it is more important for children to be able to do arithmetic operations with mushrooms than to be able to guess in time that someone is about to cry. American scientists are ready to argue with this, who assure that emotional competence plays a crucial role in academic success (Panayiotou et al., 2019).

Conclusion

Almost thirty years ago, pioneers in the study of emotional intelligence  Mayer and Salovey  proved that the sensory domain directly affects attention, memory, learning ability, communication skills, and even physical and mental health(Romero-Ayuso et al., 2022). Students with advanced emotional intelligence are better at concentrating, easier at building relationships in school, and more empathic than their unsupervised peers.

References

Romero-Ayuso, D., Ortiz-Rubio, A., Vidal-Ramírez, C., Pérez-Rodríguez, S., & Triviño-Juárez, J. M. (2022). Emotional Intelligence, Executive Functions and Sensory Processing in Daily Life in Children Aged Between 8 to 11 Years: A Pilot Study. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 1-19.

Panayiotou, M., Humphrey, N., & Wigelsworth, M. (2019). An empirical basis for linking social and emotional learning to academic performance. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 56, 193-204.

The housing crisis in New York has resulted in the enactment of policies that are aimed at motivating developers to set up more houses. In the past politicians have been against the setting up of more projects because of gentrification. There is a fear that new housing development will make it hard for low-income people to live in these neighborhoods. An example is the Amazon headquarters that were slated for Long Island City. The project was stopped after a lot of uproar from residents and leaders. This essay will answer questions based on the Amazon headquarters project and Western Queens Community Land Trusts controversial plans.

New York City and the Queens area in particular would have benefited significantly from the Amazon headquarters. This is because Amazon has in the past shown its willingness to support local communities. In Seattle for example, the company has a proven track record of funding and creating programs for the needy (Kilgannon, 2018). The organization would have created affordable housing units that could have helped the people living in Queens. Amazon is owned by Jeff Bezos who is one of the richest people in the world. Having such an organization in Queens could have changed the economy of the area. The headquarters would also have created job opportunities for the locals. The area has a high unemployment rate and high poverty levels. Therefore, Amazon dropping its plans for a second headquarter was negative for the Queens area.

The construction of the Amazon headquarters at Queens would have resulted in the gentrification of the area. This is because the company would have brought over 25,000 workers making salaries in excess of $100,000 (Kilgannon, 2018). This could have resulted in more people moving to the area because of the opportunities presented by Amazon. Another aspect is that people living in Queens earn a median household income of $15, 843. This shows that the opportunities provided by Amazon would not have benefited a majority of the residents of Queens. Further gentrification of the neighborhood would have made life difficult for the residents. Prices of houses and commodities would have increased as a result of the changes. Therefore, the construction of Amazon headquarters in Queens would have changed the composition of the neighborhood.

The Amazon plan for the Queens area involved building the companys second headquarters. The organization had also promised to create over 40,000 jobs from the project (Kilgannon, 2018). The company had also indicated that it would be a campus that would have benefited the local community. Amazon had also shown a willingness to invest in the community and develop the local workforce. This would have been done through the establishment of a job training center and semi-annual job fairs. The company would have brought significant benefits to all the residents in the area. The benefits from the intended plans would have changed the Queens area. The area has struggled with high unemployment rates and low-income levels. Therefore, the failure to establish the headquarters in the Queens area was a missed opportunity for the locals.

Your LIC plans were born after Amazon reneged on its offer to build a headquarter in Long Island City. The new plans by the consortium of developers would have resulted in infrastructures such as public schools, arts and cultural space, and a workforce training center. The developers also intended to build new affordable housing units and a waterfront. However, due to criticism from various sectors, the project was dropped by the mayors office. The plan would have brought positive changes to the city but would have disenfranchised the low-income people. The planners ensured that they conducted workshops to familiarize people with the project. The developers convened four public workshops and online engagements to listen to views from the community (Queens Gazette, 2019). This shows that the project creators were aware of the importance of inclusive planning.

The officials at city hall ended the proposed plan by the four developers after a series of meetings. The government indicated that Your LIC project did not deliver on the specified requirements to make Queens a mixed-use community. City hall noted that all private developers must adhere to the identified goals. The decision to cut ties with the group was well-intentioned because the city should protect the community. However, the city could have renegotiated with the group to reach an amicable solution. The area that was meant for development is still idle and the residents are experiencing increased poverty levels. Therefore, even though the project would have been beneficial, the decision to end the project was correct.

With the collapse of Your LIC plan, the city has an opportunity to create developments that adhere to the specific needs of the community. City hall had indicated earlier that the developers were not prepared to create a project that would favor the residents. The city can also recruit new companies that are interested in carrying out the project. The Queens area has a significant challenge with housing. The units found in the area need to be replaced because of age and lack of maintenance. This indicates that a new affordable housing project would be essential for the city. Other crucial developments can also be carried out on the site to change the nature of the area. The challenge is convincing the anti-growth coalitions to agree to the redevelopment of the area. This can be done through extensive community engagements that seek to answer all questions raised by the residents.

A community land trust (CLT) is a private non-profit entity that owns the land on behalf of the community. CLT helps residents to acquire houses at an affordable price, which promotes home ownership (Taylor, 2022). The Queens community can benefit from the establishment of a community land trust for the site. The residents can make decisions on the developments that should be made in the area without being pressured by external agents. The community leaders understand what is needed to change the area. Establishing a CLT can be a way of giving the area residents the chance to develop their city.

The City of Yes plan by mayor Adam is intended at modernizing and updating the zoning regulations to enhance various aspects. One of the issues is creating affordable housing, which is a huge problem for the city. The other aspect is promoting sustainability and supporting small businesses. The plan intends to make it easier for hotels to be converted to affordable supportive housing. The YIMBY (yes, in my backyard) versus NIMBY (no, in my backyard) debate is threatening to derail the plans. Those in agreement with the plans point to the need to address the housing crisis while those against indicate that the area will be gentrified.

The change in attitude by leaders is a result of the nationwide problem of homelessness because people cannot afford decent homes. This can be beneficial to the city as it can result in the problem being solved. However, activists are against the need to create more affordable houses. The reason given is that some of the areas will become gentrified forcing people earning low incomes to find alternative means. The city has recorded an increase in the number of people seeking shelter. This shows that the change in attitude by leaders can benefit the residents by adding more houses to the market.

The QNS mega development project was labeled a gentrification accelerator by Julie Won. The statement is true because of the nature of the Queens neighborhood. New developments in the area are likely to change the appearance of the area, which will attract the middle and upper classes. On the issue of member deference, a local council member has the power to reject a project. In the current times, such an event can be problematic because more affordable housing units are needed. Therefore, member deference can delay certain housing projects, which can enhance the homelessness problem within the city.

In summary, the affordable housing sector is thriving because of the increase in demand for houses. The city is forced to create new projects that address the problem. However, criticisms from the NIMBY group have resulted in fewer developments being undertaken. Engaging with those against the projects can be essential in creating a common ground. The statistics show that the number of people seeking shelter has increased considerably.

References

Kilgannon, C. (2018). Amazons New Neighbour: The Nations Largest Housing Project. The New York Times. Web.

Queens Gazette. (2019). Planning The Future of The LIC Waterfront. Queens Gazette -. Web.

Taylor, K. (2022). Community Land Trust. Investopedia. Web.

Introduction

Endorsement of democratic values and supporting policies of good governance have become trademark characteristics of the UN in the approaches adopted to deal with issues in post-conflict regions. At the same time the construct of sustainable development should be viewed as a critical aspect. In this context, the article Promoting Democratic Governance And Preventing The Recurrence Of Conflict: The Role Of The United Nations Development Programme In Post Conflict Peace-Building by Carlos Santiso assumes vital significance.

Summary of Content

In his article, author Carlos Santiso states that efforts made towards upholding the democratic character and fortifying effective governance standards have emerged as central elements of post-conflict peace-building endeavors undertaken by the United Nations (UN). However, the critical tasks carried out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at such decisive moments connecting peacekeeping activities to sustainable advancement has often received very less analytical attention in terms of dimensional evaluation of the UN peace promoting initiatives.

UN peacekeeping efforts in the Central American region in the past few years have helped the establishment gain a certain degree of experience and expertise in terms of the exploration of the unknown areas of post-conflict peace making activities. UNDPs involvement in the Central American chapter was the gateway to the institutions evolution process taking them beyond the parameters of offering conventional development aid, and propelling them towards assuming a dynamic and overtly political position in post-conflict democracy structuring and reorganization of the form of governance. Such a pristine character of the UNDP has given way to dramatic consequences with respect to its directive, administrative frameworks, corporate procedures and operational policies. The contemporary identity crisis and ensuing organizational rejuvenation of the UNDP is entrenched in its approval of the democratic character of governance as indispensable aspects of its mandate to uphold sustainable human progression. ¹

In light of such issues the article attempts to evaluate the implications, pledges and problems faced by the UNDP in its efforts to promote good and sustainable governance practices and also investigate into the scale of applicability, suggestions, and institutionalization of the democratic and administrative initiatives within UNDP, by means of adopting the experiences of the UNDP in Central America as a evaluation case study. It asserts that the prospect of UNDP aid to uphold democracy would to a large extent be reliant on the amount of success it achieves in settling the intrinsic tension laden issues prevalent in process of promotion of democratic character and national sovereignty, and at the same time maintaining its multilateral perception of peace and democracy.

Content Presentation

The author has carefully devoted much attention to the organization of the content in the article. The flow of the article is much appreciable and gives the reader a sense of better understanding of the issues through a well developed writing style. The piece of writing is separated into four sections. At the outset, the author pores over the surfacing of democratic and good governance standards in the approach adopted by the UN in post-conflict circumstances. He next proceeds to look at the changeover from first to second generation attachment of the organization in the Central American scheme of things through the 90s decade. Subsequently, the author studies the involvement of UNDP and marks out the central components of UNDP policy with respect to the organizations approach towards democracy and administrative aid. In conclusion, the author sums up the article by making some observations on the intrinsic tensions involving aid usefulness along with national sovereignty.

The author states in the beginning that endorsement of democratic governance and institutionalization in conflict affected regions have manifested as core elements of the UNs initiative of creating a sustainable and peaceful environment, rooted in the belief that peace, progress and social equality are undoubtedly connected. Developing and nurturing sustainable peace within a conflict afflicted society is a protracted and vulnerably delicate process. Thus, he asserts that till the time a politically practicable, sustainable, and institutionalized answer is delved on, the risks such as the course of progression being destabilized, peace being endangered and failure of democracy values prevail with a high probability of occurrence. However, the author does not leave the problem raised without a solution. He also attempts to make certain suggestions aimed at developing a sustainable approach. He affirms that upholding democratic peace necessitates particularly intensification of good governance policies and speeding up institutional reorganization. He also suggests that a sustainable approach requires a fundamental restructuring of the country and reflective modifications in the manners of the government. Peace making and building activities in conflict afflicted regions involves assimilating the entwined plans of promoting peace, democracy and progress.

The author describes the UN experiences in Central American peace building activities by make a distinction between a first generation involvement, which primarily revolved around political arbitration, peacemaking and democratic changeover, and a second generation involvement centering in on peacekeeping, democratic integration and sustainable progress. The first generation of UN engagement focusing on re-establishing a peaceful environment has conventionally been rooted in diplomatic measures and security involvements, such as political arbitration, observing the preservation of human rights, electoral administration and the confirmation of the realization of peace conformities. The author emphasizes on the fact that the position of the UNDP has entered a more critical phase in the second generation engagement which has a scope extending beyond the mere restitution of peace and the supervision of democratic election procedures. He states that the UN has manifested itself as a central mainstay of the multilateral development collaboration.

The most impressive aspect of the article and the authors approach to the writing is that the assertions made in the article are not based on just the thoughts if the author but is also extensively referenced and substantiated.

Impact

The wide knowledge base and careful presentation of the material in the article has a significant implication for the reader. The article helps one to understand the various issues associated with promoting peace and democracy in a post conflict situation in affected regions. The risks associated with such a long and vulnerable process is well highlighted and provides key insight in developing a sustainable strategy to uphold the democratic character and policies of good governance. The detailed explanation of the various issues faced and approaches adopted by the UN and UNDP in the Central American region helps the reader to get familiarized with the post-conflict environment and understand the contemporary significance of institutionalized policies developed to cope with such issues.

Conclusion

The involvement of the UN and UNDP in the Central American chapter was definitely a transforming experience for both establishments. The author states that it cannot be clearly affirmed whether the organizations have achieved success, been unsuccessful or just started to strengthen democratic governance policies in post-conflict Central America. However, they played a central role in the settling of internal clashes and the materialization of democracy.

Bibliography

Santiso, Carlos.2002. Promoting Democratic Governance and Preventing the Recurrence of Conflict: The Role of the United Nations Development Programme in Post-Conflict Peace-Building. Journal of Latin American Studies 34: 555-586.

Footnotes

1. Carlos Santiso.2002. Promoting Democratic Governance and Preventing the Recurrence of Conflict: The Role of the United Nations Development Programme in Post-Conflict Peace-Building. Journal of Latin American Studies 34: 555-586.