Sociological Concepts in recognizing the credentials of immigrants to Canada

Sociology is a discipline with many dynamics and concepts to it. Concepts define sociology. In regard to recognizing the credentials of immigrants to Canada, social theoretical concepts apply in different spheres. The Structural functionalism has several concepts. The two main ones relating to the credentials of immigrants to Canada are the social system and cultural system. Social system refers to a situation whereby actors are interacting in a particular environmental condition, whereas a cultural system is governed by a set of shared beliefs, values and worldviews which influence the livelihoods of a group of people. Immigrants to Canada require to know about the cultural orientation of the Canadian people so that they can deal with cultural variances. This also entails the social structure in the country so that they can feel part of the social system that is considered norm.

Social conflict is a theoretical approach by Max Weber, Karl Marx and other scholars. The two main concepts affecting immigrants to Canada are the Critical Conflict Marxist theory and the Weberian Analytical Conflict theory. The Critical Conflict Theory indicates that a society is hierarchically structured into exclusive groups, while the Analytical Conflict theory analyzes the stratification in society by viewing society as multi-dimensional; that is, it comprises of different interest groups, status groups, classes and parties. These are also matters of consideration for immigrants to Canada. Symbolic Interaction entails the emphasis of human interaction where one is entitled to choose what they deem suitable to them and assuming the perspective of the generalized order in which a society or community lives in. In immigration, individuals have to go to a new society hence they have to interact with other people. In doing so, immigrants learn the norm of a society and try to adjust to the same.

The phenomenology theory comprises of the concept of relativism vs. relationism. Relativism emphasizes that there is no standard way to make judgments of right and wrong. These are specific ideologies found within a particular society depending on their underlying social systems of ideas and worldviews. It recognizes that we are all subjective and objective in our thinking. Relationism on the other hand understands that idea systems are innate within human beings and they govern ways and patterns of thought. The other concept is sociological approach which looks at the evolutionary development of social ideological systems during a specific historical period. Jones, P., Bradbury, L. & LeBoutillier, S. (2011). These concepts should be part of recognizing the credentials of immigrants to Canada since they analyze pattern of thoughts of social groups within different localities. This is important as immigrants come from a different societal setting and are intending to belong to another different community.

Rational choice theory entails the need or wants for more good than bad. The two main concepts are that all choices made by individuals are out of a rational process and for some individuals; all their rational choices are governed by an array of motivations like happiness, and human desire like happiness. In the thinking process, individuals desire to be as rational as possible in making various choices. On the other hand, rational choices are influenced by human desires which vary according to a person’s priority. Some individuals make rational choices like immigration to fulfill their desire of happiness or go to what they consider better environments. In recognizing the credentials for immigrants to Canada, the thinking and expectation of the immigrants is a consideration. This is because rational choice influences individual’s thinking as well as the choices they make for their welfare. Recognizing the credentials of immigrants to Canada should hence entail the various social considerations.

Reference

Jones, P., Bradbury, L. & LeBoutillier, S. (2011). Introducing Social Theory. Cambridge: Polity Publishers.