Individualized VS Structural Cultural Theory

Full Answer Section

Structural-Cultural Theories:

• Focus: Look at social structures, institutions, and cultural norms that create or perpetuate problems.
• Example: Poverty might be seen as a result of limited job opportunities, minimum wage not keeping up with living costs, or historical discrimination.
• Emphasis: These theories consider how cultural norms and biases can disadvantage certain groups.

In a Nutshell:

• Individualized theories put the onus on the individual to overcome challenges.
• Structural-Cultural theories view challenges as rooted in social systems and cultural norms.

Sample Answer

Individualized and Structural-Cultural theories offer different perspectives on understanding social issues, like poverty or workplace inequality. Here's a breakdown of each:

Individualized Theories:

• Focus: Blame the problem on individual choices, behaviors, or skills.
• Example: Someone in poverty might be seen as lacking motivation or job skills.
• Criticism: Ignores broader social factors like discrimination, lack of access to education, or systemic poverty.