Changes is Family Structure - Functionalist

Question 1

What do functionalist say about what changes the structure of the family?

industrialisation

(Family structure adapts to meet the needs of society)

Answer 1

• parsons: dominant family structure went from extended to nuclear to fit an industrial society
• nuclear families are ‘isolated’ with few ties with relatives so can easily move to work = they have geographical mobility

Question 2

Wha do functionality’s say changes the function of families?

Answer 2

• lots of the functions in a pre-industrial society are taken over by the state in industrial societies e.g policing, healthcare, education THUS
• the nuclear families main focus becomes socialisation
• children are socialised into roles, values, and norms

Question 3

What do functionalist say about the changing roles and status in the family as a result of industrialisation?

Answer 3

• status in pre-industrial society is ascribed (decided at birth by family they’re born into)
• parsons: status can be achieved by success outside of the family in industrial society = allows for sociable mobility because people can better themselves (can achieve status without conflict, individuals are allowed to achieve higher or lower statuses than older generations)
• parsons: specialised roles (expressive/instrumental) are most effective roles 4 society

Question 4

Why is the functionalist view on the Changes in Family Structure criticised?

Answer 4

(-) see’s the nuclear family as superior
(-) puts forward an idealised picture of history and ignores the variety of family forms in the past
(-) Laslett and Anderson - extended families were also significant for industrial society as individuals who left home may have stayed with relatives in the cities