1.1 Funcationalism Flashcards
What are the four functions of the family according to Murdock?
- Sexual = So all adult relationships are controlled and socially acceptable so no gays relationship cause they ain’t stable. + Also, makes sure u don’t procreate with close genetic relatives, = this is beneficial to society cause prevents disabilities.
- Reproduction = Reproduce next generation and society shall continue
- Socialisation = makes sure fam socialised adequately into the norms and values of society. maintain social
- Economic = producing shelter and help. Also, supported by new right cause it ensures family not become a drain on the welfare state and so encourages families to supports each other and discourage lone parents.
What are the two functions of the family according to Parsons?
Socialisation = Agrees with Murdock that the family is essential in the primary socialisation process and ensuring the that each generation are
Stabilisation of adult personalities = working life in Industrial society is stressful and a family is a place where the working man can return and be ‘de-stressed’ by his wife, which reduces conflict in society. This is also known as the ‘warm bath’ theory’ Stabilization is achieved through the biologically determined roles-Expressive and instrumental.
What term does Murdock use to describe the most common family type?
Universal nuclear family
What is meant by the best fit theory? (Parsons: Internal Criticisms)
Nuclear family is not universal, the structure of the family changes as the needs of the society changes. Pre industrial families were extended families with multiple generations living together, where as post industrial families needed to be geographically mobile and therefore became isolated nuclear families.
Give one criticism of functionalist view of the family.
Down plays the role of conflict in the family. In particular the oppression of women and domestic violence. The family is not always the safe and warm place suggested by Parsons.
Give one criticism of Murdock’s four functions of the family.
Marxists, however, argue instead the real reason why families perform a sexual/reproductive function is cause its a means of maintaining a family’s private property. ENGELS states that by marrying a woman, a man is legally protecting his wealth as it is then inherited by his children and so the power and privilege remains within the kinship group.
Give one criticism of Parson’s Warm Bath Theory.
Marxist, Zaretsky = is a way of maintaining capitalist power and privilege as it results in a denial of the exploitation faced in the workplace as it is soothed by family members and this means the revolution is unable to happen.
Feminist = it results in women being a punching bag for family memeebr and being subjected to violence or abuse which should be directed at external exploitation. Also, they experience a triple shift as they also take care of the emotional wellbeing of family members while also experience a dual burden.
Define= Social institutions
Are the structures in society which influence behaviour such as the family, education, media and religion.
Evaluation
–> Down plays the role of conflict in the family. In particular the oppression of women and domestic violence. The family is not always the safe and warm place suggested by Parsons.
–> Out of Date –Women now go out to work and the biological roles as set out by Parsons no longer apply as clearly.
–> Deterministic–Assumes that the members of society automatically take on the norms and values.
—> Ignores family diversity –Assumes that all families are best when nuclear however many family structures are apparent in today’s society and still fulfil the same functions.
The family is no longer needed to carry out the functions as set out by Murdock.
