Which sociological perspective suggests how people can come together to minimize anomie?

Functionalism is the sociological perspective that emphasizes the interconnectedness of social institutions and their roles in maintaining social stability and order. This perspective suggests that each part of society functions together to promote solidarity and minimize dysfunction. Anomie, a term coined by sociologist Émile Durkheim, refers to a state of normlessness where individuals feel disconnected from societal norms and values, often leading to feelings of confusion and instability.

From a functionalist viewpoint, social structures like family, education, religion, and government serve crucial functions in creating shared norms and values, which can help in reducing anomie. When these institutions are strong and effectively fulfill their roles, they foster a sense of belonging and social cohesion among individuals, providing a framework that helps people navigate societal expectations and reduces feelings of disconnection.

This perspective differs from others like conflict theory, which focuses on the tensions and power struggles that arise from inequalities in society, or symbolic interactionism, which examines the everyday interactions and meanings individuals assign to social symbols. Structuralism also looks at underlying structures but may not emphasize the functional significance of these components to the same extent as functionalism. Thus, functionalism distinctly illustrates how collective efforts and strong social institutions can work to alleviate challenges like anomie.