Interactionism, also known as symbolic interactionism, is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the importance of human interaction and the meanings individuals attach to their experiences.
This approach focuses on the micro-level of social life, examining the day-to-day interactions between individuals and the ways in which these interactions shape society. Within the context of the family, interactionism explores how family members create, maintain, and negotiate their roles and relationships through communication and shared meanings.
Basic Theory of Interactionism
Interactionism is rooted in the work of early sociologists such as George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer.
Mead’s theory of the self and Blumer’s concept of symbolic interactionism highlight the importance of symbols and language in human interactions. According to interactionism, individuals act based on the meanings they attribute to objects, events, and people, and these meanings are derived from social interactions.
The theory of the sociology of personal life extends this idea by examining how individuals construct their identities and relationships within the context of their personal lives.
Key Interactionist Idea – the Sociology of Personal Life
The Sociology of Personal Life is a sociological perspective that focuses on the individual’s personal experiences and relationships rather than traditional family structures.
This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding personal meanings and emotional connections that individuals form with others, including friends, pets, and even deceased relatives.
Key Concepts and Examples
Interactionism: The Sociology of Personal Life is heavily influenced by interactionist ideas, which prioritize the meanings individuals give to their relationships. For example, a person might consider their pet as a significant family member, providing emotional support and companionship.
Criticism of Structural Theories: The Sociology of Personal Life criticises structural theories like Functionalism, Marxism, and Feminism for assuming the nuclear family is the dominant family type. Instead, it argues that families are diverse and individuals have more agency in defining their personal relationships.
Individualization: The theory of individualization, associated with sociologists like Anthony Giddens and Ulrich Beck, suggests that traditional rules governing personal relationships have weakened, leading to more fluid and self-defined relationships. For instance, people may choose to live in non-traditional family setups based on personal preferences rather than societal norms.
Important Sociologists and the Sociology of Family Life
Carol Smart: Smart emphasizes the need to understand personal life from the individual’s perspective rather than imposing traditional definitions of family.
David H. J. Morgan: Morgan highlights the importance of personal connections and the fluid nature of relationships. Examples of this would include: Chosen Families – People may form close-knit groups with friends who provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, often referred to as “chosen families.” Pets as Family Members – Many individuals consider their pets as integral members of their family, providing companionship and emotional support and Blended Families – In cases of remarriage or cohabitation, step-siblings and step-parents become part of the family, highlighting the fluidity of familial bonds.
Jeffrey Weeks: Weeks delves into the personal life perspective, arguing that personal relationships extend beyond traditional family structures. For example – friendships have become crucial sources of emotional sustenance and social interaction. They often fill gaps left by family, offering companionship and support through life’s ups and downs. Moreover, chosen families – comprising close friends who are as integral to one’s emotional well-being as biological relatives—illustrate how deep, supportive connections can exist outside traditional familial bonds.
Romantic relationships, which may not conform to traditional models, often play significant roles in one’s personal life. Relationships between partners, whether they fit the conventional mould of marriage or not, provide critical emotional, physical, and psychological support.
Anthony Giddens and Ulrich Beck: Both sociologists have significantly contributed to the theory of individualization, discussing how traditional rules governing personal relationships have weakened, leading to more fluid and self-defined relationships.
Erving Goffman: Goffman’s dramaturgical approach likens social interactions to theatrical performances, where individuals present themselves in certain ways to create desired impressions. His concept of “impression management” is particularly relevant to understanding family dynamics.
Howard Becker: Becker’s work on labelling theory examines how individuals come to be identified with certain labels and how these labels influence their self-concepts and behaviours. This theory can be applied to the roles and expectations within the family.
For instance, consider a child in a family who is frequently labelled as the “troublemaker.” This label, whether it arises from occasional misbehaviour or incidents, can become a defining aspect of the child’s identity within the family. As a result, the child may begin to internalize this label and see themselves as inherently problematic. This internalization can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where the child continues to engage in disruptive behaviour, reinforcing the label. On the other hand, a child labelled as the “smart one” might feel pressure to consistently perform well academically and intellectually.
Charles Horton Cooley: Cooley’s concept of the “looking-glass self” suggests that individuals develop their self-identity based on how they perceive others see them. This idea is crucial in understanding the development of family members’ identities through their interactions with one another.
For example, consider a child growing up in a family environment. The child observes and internalizes how family members react to their actions and behaviours. If a child consistently receives positive feedback, praise, and affection, they are likely to develop a positive self-image. Conversely, if a child frequently encounters criticism or negative reactions, their self-perception may be negatively impacted.
Examples and Applications of Interactionist Theory to Modern Families
Parent-Child Relationships: Interactionist theory helps explain how parents and children negotiate their roles and expectations through ongoing interactions. For example, parents may use symbolic gestures, such as rewards and punishments, to shape their children’s behaviour.
Family Communication: Interactionism highlights the importance of communication in maintaining family relationships. Through verbal and non-verbal interactions, family members create and reinforce shared meanings and understandings.
Gender Roles: Interactionist theory can be applied to the negotiation of gender roles within the family. Family members may engage in ongoing interactions that challenge or reinforce traditional gender expectations.
Critical Evaluation of Interactionist Perspective
The interactionist perspective offers valuable insights into the micro-level dynamics of family life but has its limitations.
Critics argue that interactionism may overlook the broader social and structural factors that shape family experiences. For example, it can fail to address how economic inequality, social policies, and cultural norms impact family dynamics. The focus on individual interactions may neglect the power dynamics and systemic issues that influence family relationships.
Some critics also believe that the interactionist perspective may not fully capture the diversity of family experiences across different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. By concentrating on the immediate interactions, this perspective may miss the larger context in which families operate, such as historical and political influences.
Furthermore, while the interactionist perspective excels at exploring the nuances of personal interactions and meanings within the family, it may struggle to provide a comprehensive understanding of how families change and adapt over time. The emphasis on the present moment might overshadow the importance of historical and long-term factors in shaping family life.
Evaluation in Relation to Other Perspectives
Marxist Perspective: Marxism focuses on the economic and class structures that shape family life. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels argued that the family serves as an institution that supports the capitalist system by reproducing labour power and perpetuating class inequality. Unlike interactionism, which looks at individual interactions, Marxism emphasizes the role of capitalism and class conflict in influencing family dynamics. The interactionist perspective, with its micro-level focus, may not adequately address the economic inequalities and power dynamics highlighted by Marxism.
Functionalist Perspective: Functionalists view the family as a key institution that contributes to the stability and functioning of society. Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton emphasized the roles and functions that family members fulfil, such as socialisation and emotional support. While interactionism provides a deeper understanding of individual interactions and meanings, it may not fully capture the broader social functions of the family that functionalists focus on. Functionalists may argue that interactionism overlooks the structural and institutional roles that families play in maintaining social order.
Feminist Perspective: Feminist theories highlight the gender inequalities and power imbalances within families. Betty Friedan and Ann Oakley argued that traditional family structures perpetuate patriarchal norms and disadvantage women. The interactionist perspective, with its emphasis on individual interactions, may not fully address the systemic gender inequalities that feminists focus on. Feminists may critique interactionism for not sufficiently considering the broader social and cultural factors that contribute to gendered power dynamics within families.
New Right Perspective: emphasizes the importance of traditional family structures and values. Murray advocates for policies that support the nuclear family and views deviations from this model as problematic. Interactionism, with its focus on individual interactions and meanings, may not align with the New Right’s emphasis on traditional family values and structures. Critics from the New Right may argue that interactionism overlooks the importance of maintaining stable family structures for societal well-being.
Postmodern Perspective: highlights the diversity and fluidity of family forms in contemporary society. Judith Stacey and Anthony Giddens challenge the notion of a single, dominant family structure and emphasize the multiplicity of family experiences. The interactionist perspective’s focus on individual interactions aligns well with the postmodern emphasis on diversity and subjectivity. However, postmodernists may critique interactionism for not fully addressing the broader social and cultural shifts that influence family diversity and change.
While the interactionist perspective offers valuable insights into the micro-level dynamics of family life, it is important to consider its limitations and complement it with other perspectives that address the broader social and structural factors influencing family experiences. By integrating insights from Marxist, Functionalist, Feminist, New Right, and Postmodern perspectives, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities and diversity of family life
TEST YOURSELF – 20 REVISION QUESTIONS
- What is one way personal relationships extend beyond traditional family structures?
- What can deep, supportive connections outside traditional family bonds offer?
- What role do non-traditional romantic relationships play?
- What is Cooley’s concept of the “looking-glass self”?
- How does the “looking-glass self” operate within families?
- Give an example of the “looking-glass self” in a family context.
- What impact does a parent’s encouragement have on a child’s self-concept?
- What is Howard Becker’s labelling theory?
- How can labels in a family context impact a child?
- What effect can positive labeling, like “smart one,” have?
- Why is it important to recognize the power of labels in families?
- How can families foster a supportive environment concerning labeling?
- What is a chosen family?
- What is an example of a friendship’s role in personal life?
- How do modern relationships challenge traditional family structures?
- What is the significance of recognizing different forms of personal relationships?
- How do families act as mirrors in the “looking-glass self” concept?
- What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of labelling theory?
- What is the impact of negative labels on a child’s behaviour?
- Why should families be cautious about labelling?