Sociology concepts and applications

Sociology and Hurricane Katrina

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze the topic of sociology and current events. Specifically, it will compare and contrast how the conflict, functionalist, and interactionist perspectives would view the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. All of these theories can apply to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and all show areas of our own society that need work and understanding.

The conflict theory of sociology believes society functions for each member to maximize their benefits, which can lead to change in politics. This theory certainly applies to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which has led to a wide gulf between social classes in New Orleans, and brought it to the attention of the rest of the world. Most of the hardest hit areas in New Orleans lie in the poorest sectors of the city, largely populated by blacks, like the Ninth Ward. These areas are being rebuilt so slowly it is laughable, while other areas, like the "vital" Superdome, for example, were rebuilt quickly. Many people feel the reason reconstruction is so slow is the division in the city between rich and poor, black and white. So far, many of the city's residents have not returned to their homes, and most of those who have are still living in FEMA trailers. It seems that in New Orleans, it is "everyman for himself" when it comes to social change and rebuilding, because many people feel the government has simply forgotten about them. This too, matches the conflict theory, in that it has led to people working on their own to solve the problem. Even celebrities have gotten involved, and individuals are using New Orleans as a setting for films and books, to help bring attention to the lack of support there. Is this leading to a change in politics? So far, it has not seemed to help much, but there is still time. The conflict theory indicates that members of society are in conflict with each other, and with the social constructs of society, and that was certainly the case during and directly after the hurricane, when the local, state, and federal government all came under fire, and thousands of people suffered because of lack of planning. The conflict theory has been in place since the hurricane occurred, and it does not seem to show signs of letting up anytime soon.

The functionalist perspective sees society as parts of a system that are all interrelated. The parts act together, even though they may not all be doing the same thing at the same time. Social institutions, such as religion, family, and education act as the parts of this system. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many of these systems broke down, and some are still not permanently fixed, which means, the society is out of order and not functioning as a system. That is perhaps the biggest legacy of the hurricane. Society in New Orleans and throughout much of the Gulf Coast is broken, and it seems destined to stay that way. Today, many families have left New Orleans for opportunities elsewhere. The churches and schools are up and running again, but with far fewer students, and many auxiliary services, such as libraries, are still not back to normal. Some never will be, due to the damage and loss sustained after the hurricane and floods. The society is New Orleans is still suffering because they have lost the order that was there, and are struggling to rebuild it, often without the support of any outside sources. It has taken too long to try to get New Orleans back to normal, and there are questions that wonder if it will ever be remotely close to the place it was before the hurricane.

In the functionalist approach, parts of society are interrelated. That certainly illustrates New Orleans after the hurricane, because the society has struggled so hard to come back together. Restaurants have reopened, Mardi Gras has continued, the French Quarter tries to lure visitors, and the businesses are coming back, some more slowly than others. Many people are determined to rebuild the city and make it better than it was before, but society is divided, and with these divisions, come problems. The functionalist approach assumes all aspects of the society are there and working together, but this is not the case with New Orleans, and so, it is dysfunctional, rather than functional, suffering more from conflict than functionality.