The perspective of symbolic interactionism centers on how individuals interact with one another and how they establish significance through symbols. From this vantage point, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced social interaction. The implementation of stay-at-home orders has resulted in individuals being compelled to remain in their residences and refrain from engaging with others, thereby causing a reduction in social connectivity. The phenomenon above has resulted in several adverse outcomes, such as heightened feelings of solitude, seclusion, and melancholy (Keirns., et al., 2013). Furthermore, the ongoing pandemic has posed challenges in establishing and sustaining interpersonal connections. This holds particularly true for adolescents and young adults, frequently in the nascent phases of establishing social relationships.
The COVID-19 pandemic has notably influenced how individuals engage in social interactions. The adoption of technological tools such as social media platforms and video conferencing has brought about a substantial transformation in how individuals engage and establish social connections. There is a growing tendency among individuals to engage with others through digital channels, resulting in a shift in their modes of self-expression and social bonding. Furthermore, the ongoing pandemic has heightened individuals’ consciousness regarding the significance of social interaction and the necessity for establishing connections.
Functionalist Perspective
The functionalist paradigm centers on the interdependent nature of various societal components in preserving coherence and equilibrium. The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a considerable influence on the fabric of society. The outbreak of the pandemic has resulted in various alterations in social establishments, including but not limited to the economy, education, and healthcare systems (Kantamneni, 2020). The alterations above have resulted in several adverse outcomes, such as unemployment, the shutdown of educational institutions, and escalated medical expenses.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in reduced social cohesion, which can be defined as the binding force sustaining a community’s coherence and solidarity. The present discourse delves into the notion of a collective consciousness, wherein individuals possess a shared comprehension of their identity and objectives. Because it has made people feel alone and isolated, the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt societal cohesiveness. The situation has made it more difficult for people to develop mutual reliance and work together for society’s benefit.
The functionalist perspective views society as a complex system of interdependent parts. Every component contributes to upholding the general equilibrium of the community. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to various social institutions, including but not limited to the economy, education, and healthcare. The disturbances mentioned above have resulted in societal seclusion, whereby individuals have been compelled to remain within their residences and refrain from interacting with others. Being socially isolated can result in various adverse outcomes, such as compromised mental well-being, heightened stress levels, and reduced efficiency.
Conflict Perspective
The conflict perspective is centered on the contention among various societal factions. The COVID-19 pandemic has been observed to have intensified pre-existing societal disparities from this vantage point. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted individuals belonging to marginalized communities, including people of color, low-income individuals, and those with disabilities (Colvin., et al., 2022). These demographic cohorts exhibit a higher propensity to reside in densely populated environments, engage in occupations incompatible with remote work, and encounter challenges in obtaining healthcare services.
The ongoing pandemic has resulted in a reduction in social mobility. Social mobility refers to the capacity of individuals to ascend or descend the hierarchical structure of society. The ongoing pandemic has presented challenges for individuals seeking upward social mobility, as it has created obstacles in the form of limited employment opportunities and reduced access to education.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a substantial influence on various aspects of society. The pandemic has resulted in social interaction, social institutions, and social cohesion alterations. The ongoing pandemic has further amplified pre-existing societal disparities and has resulted in a reduction in social mobility. The alterations mentioned above are poised to have a sustained influence on the community.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, apart from the three perspectives above, numerous sociological perspectives can be employed to comprehend the societal ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The feminist viewpoint would center on the manners in which the pandemic has unequally impacted females and young females. The queer perspective would center on how the pandemic has influenced individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. The critical race theory framework would center on the manners in which the pandemic has amplified racial disparities. The utilization of diverse sociological frameworks enables us to attain a more all-encompassing comprehension of the societal ramifications of the COVID-19 outbreak. This comprehension can aid in formulating more efficacious policies and programs to tackle the predicaments engendered by the pandemic.
References
Keirns, N. J., Strayer, E., Griffiths, H., Cody-Rydzewski, S., Scaramuzzo, G., Sadler, T., … & Jones, F. (2013). Introduction to sociology. OpenStax College, Rice University. https://tsu-excel4ed.merlot.org/reviews/Intro%20to%20Sociology%20Template_Intro%20to%20Sociology%20OpenStax_Paterniti.pdf
Kantamneni, N. (2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized populations in the United States: A research agenda. Journal of vocational behavior, 119, 103439. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001879120300646
Colvin, M. K., Reesman, J., & Glen, T. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 related educational disruption on children and adolescents: An interim data summary and commentary on ten considerations for neuropsychological practice. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 36(1), 45-71. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13854046.2021.1970230
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