2. Functionalism Families and Households Flashcards
what is a consensus theory
take a positive stance on their idea
society is wonderful- functionalists
what is a conflict theory
take a negative stance on their ideas
society is bad- Marxism, feminism
What did Murdock believe there was
four functions of the family
What are Murdock’s four functions
Sexual
Reproduction
Socialisation
Economic
What was the belief behind Murdock’s four functions
1949- took a sample of 250 societies
nuclear family- universal social grouping
family is an essential part of society
What does ‘Sexual’ show
repressing sexuality in a socially approved context, controlled and stable
social approval attached to incest, adultery, homo sexuality (some places)
What does ‘Reproductive’ show?
providing stability for the reproduction and rearing of children
produces next generation of society
What does ‘Socialisation’ show?
the family is key for primary socialisation where children learn acceptable behaviour and the rules of the society
What does ‘Economic’ show?
food and shelter for family members
pool resources to ensure everyone has what they need
What did Murdock say?
The family is a social group characterised by common residence, economic co-operation and reproduction. It includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approves sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults.
Why do extended families decline
people want more privacy
people have less children
Evaluate- ‘Murdock didn’t consider if other social institutions could perform the family functions’
His theory is not conclusive, as he did not test everyone. It cannot be said that this is the rule for all
Evaluate- ‘Murdock’s definition of family is too good to be true- it doesn’t acknowledge possibility of conflict or exploitation’
people can be unhappy in families and it ignores domestic violence in homes
men commonly abuse women, but more men than women don’t report it
Evaluate- ‘gay and lesbian households contradict Murdock’
still have sexual relations ad not have kids
still have kids and no sexual relations
Evaluate- ‘Sheeran (1993) says it’s female-carer core that is universal, not nuclear. societies with no male adult is common’
Doesn’t match, 40 years time society is different again
Society wouldn’t allow female dominance in the 1940s.
Evaluate- ‘Murdock argues that family is a universal institution, criticised by Stacey (2011)’
60 years later, critics can’t compare it.
What did Parsons do?
updated Murdock’s theory in1951
When was family life like in the two industrial eras
Pre industrial- extended families
Modern Industrial - nuclear families
What are some functions that families can perform?
welfare, military, political, religious
benefit society in some way
depends on social construction
What did Parsons argue
Modern western societies, state provided education could perform an economic function but the family still has two main functions
What were Parsons two functions- ‘The basic and Irreducible functions of the family’
primary socialisation
stabilisation of adult personalities
What is primary socialisation
internalising society’s culture by learning norms and values as society needs it
structuring of human personality as a culture. families are factories to produce human personalities
What is stabilisation of adult personalities
once created, must be kept stable, focus on marriage and emotional security. no security from extended family, couples look to each other. families act out own childish personalities
reasons for decline of extended family:
what is a geographically mobile workforce
people spent their whole lives on their own farms
modern society, people travel all over the country. people move to where their jobs are. families relocate
