3⃣ Theories Of The Family 1) Functionalist Perspectives Flashcards
Describe the organic anology
⚫️functionalists sew society as being like a biological organism
⚫️the body is made up of different parts
➡️cells and organs
➡️function together to meet its needs and maintain it
⚫️society is a system made up of
➡️different but independent parts
➡️such as institutions like
➡️the education system,the economy, the religion, the state
⚫️the function of any part
➡️is the contribution it makes
➡️to maintaining the social system
➡️as a whole
What are the functionalist view on society
⚫️based on a value consensus
➡️a shared set of norms and values
➡️this shared culture ➡️enables members of society ➡️to co-operate harmoniously ➡️to meet society's needs ➡️to achieve their common goals
Describe the functionalist view of the functions of the family
⚫️family plays a vital role
➡️in maintaining the social system as a whole
➡️meeting the needs of other sub-systems
➡such as the economy
➡️family performs beneficial functions
➡️for both wider society and individual members
Name the two functionalists sociologists who disagrees to some extents about what the functions both for wider society and its individuals are
⚫️murdock
➡️four functions of the family
⚫️parsons
➡️functional fit theory
Describe Murdock four functions of the family
⚫️nuclear families perform for essential functions ➡️for society and for its members:
⚫️stable satisfaction of the sex drive
➡with the same marital partner
➡️this prevents social disruption
➡️caused by a sexual free for all
⚫️reproduction of the next generation
➡️without this
➡️society would cease to exist
⚫️socialisation of the young
➡️into society’s norms and values
➡️enables new members
➡️to integrate into society
⚫️satisfaction of members economic needs
➡️providing food and shelter
➡️in preindustrial societies
➡️family is a unit of production
➡️but in modern societies
➡️become a unit of consumption only
Describe the practicality and universality of murdock four functions of the family,
⚫️by performing these functions
➡️nuclear family helps to maintain social stability
➡️for murdock ➡️the sheer practicality of the nuclear family ➡️a way of meeting these needs ➡️explains why is universal ➡️fount in all human societies
Give a negative evaluation of practicality and universality
⚫️functionalist ignore family diversity
➡️assumes nuclear family is the social norm
What is parsons functional fit theory
⚫️parson argues
➡️the kinds and range of functions
➡️that the family performs
➡️depends on
➡️types of society in which it is found
➡️what kind of structure family have
What are the two types of family structure that parson identifies
⚫️three-generational
➡️extended family
➡️found in pre-industrial society
⚫️two generational
➡️nuclear family
➡️found in modern industrial society
Describe the extended family
⚫️multi functional
➡️unit of both consumption an welfare
➡️e.g ➡️all members workedd land together ➡️often performed ➡️welfare ➡️military ➡️religious ➡️and other functions
Describe the nuclear family
⚫️fits two key needs of modern industrial society:
⚫️geographical mobility
➡️industries constantly
➡️spring up and decline in different places
➡️easier to move where the jobs are
⚫️social mobility
➡️status in industrial society
➡️is achieved not ascribed
➡️so adult sons can achieve higher status than fathers
➡️breaking away to set up their own nuclear family unit
➡️removes status conflict
➡️that would result if they stayed
Describe the two irreducible functions
⚫️nuclear family now left with
➡️only two irreducible or essential function
⚫️primary socialisation of the young
➡️equipping the next generation
➡️with basic skills
➡️and societies value
⚫stabilisation of adult personalities
➡️enabling adults to relax and release tension
➡️so they can return to workplace
➡️and perform their roles efficiently
What does segregated conjugal roles mean
⚫️Parson distinguishes between
➡️male instrumental role
➡️female expressive role
⚫️he sees gender division of labour
➡️biologically based
➡️e.g women give birth
➡️suited to expressive role
