F&H: Functionalist persepective on the family

Question 1

what is the overall view of the family (functionalist)

Answer 1

the family is one of the corner stones of society. it performs essential functions which support social stability and social cohesion.

Question 2

what is meant by the term ‘universal nuclear family’? and what does murdock believe?

Answer 2

a family that consists of 2 generations, parents and children. Murdock believes that this family type exists all over the world and is the best family type.

Question 3

define the term ‘social institutions’?

Answer 3

the structures in society which influence behaviour such as the family, education, media and religion

Question 4

what are the four functions of the family according to Murdock?

Answer 4

sexual, reproduction,socialisation and economic

Question 5

explain the sexual function that the family plays according to Murdock

Answer 5

it ensures that cult sexual relationships are controlled and socially acceptable. This meant stable monogamous heterosexual relationships.

Question 6

explain the reproduction function that the family plays according to Murdock

Answer 6

it ensures the biological reproduction of the next generation-w/o it, society can’t continue

Question 7

explain the socialisation function that the family plays according to Murdock

Answer 7

to educate the young. teaching basic norms and values so that the next generation are fully integrated into the culture of their society.

Question 8

explain the economic function that the family plays according to Murdock

Answer 8

the family fulfills its economic function by providing basic necessities, such as food and shelter, to support its members.

Question 9

What are the two functions of the family according to Parsons?

Answer 9

socialisation and the stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 10

explain the socialisation role that the family plays according to Parsons

Answer 10

He agrees with Murdock that the family is essential in the primary socialisation process and ensuring that each generation could internalise the norms and values of their society.

Question 11

explain wht’s meant by ‘the stabilisation of adult personalities’ according to Parsons

Answer 11

it refers 2 the emotional security which is achieved within a marital relationship between 2 adults.

Question 12

Explain Parson’s warm bath theory

Answer 12

Working life in industrial society is stressful and the family is a place where the working man can return and be ‘de-stressed’ by his wife, which reduces conflict in society.

Question 13

How is stabilisation (of adult personalities) achieved according to Parsons?

Answer 13

through the biologically determined roles- expressive and instrumental

Question 14

Why does Parsons think the nuclear family fits the needs of the industrialised (modern society)?

Answer 14

bc its both socially and geographically mobile.

Question 15

What does Parsons think of the extended family? (it fits the needs of…)

Answer 15

…the pre-industrial society, where ascribed work roles were inevitable

Question 16

define the term ‘value consensus’

Answer 16

set of shared norms and values that society is based on

Question 17

what is the organic analogy, according to Durkheim and Parsons?

Answer 17

the organic analogy compares society to a living organism,where different parts (or institutions) work together to maintain stability and cohesion,similar to how organs in a body work together to keep it functioning.

Question 18

How does the organic analogy explain the function of institutions in society?

Answer 18

each institution has a specific role in maintaining social stability, and if one part fails, it can affect the whole society, similar to how an issue with an organ can impact the entire body.

Question 19

what does Parson mean by the term ‘instrumental role’?

Answer 19

the breadwinner or provider role in the family. This is seen as the man’s role (by functionalists)

Question 20

what does Parson mean by the term ‘expressive role’?

Answer 20

the caring, nurturing , ‘homemaker’ role in the family. (functionalists argue that) women are biologically suited to performing this role.

Question 21

Wht is a general criticism of the functionalist view? (from conflict theorists)

Answer 21

this view paints a whimsical, unrealistic picture of family life bc families are certainly not like this for everyone- many people have negative experiences of family life.

Question 22

what did pre-industrial families look like ?

Answer 22

extended families with multiple generations living together

Question 23

Explain parson’s ‘fit theory’

Answer 23

(the theory claims that) the true true of the family changes over time to suit the type of society that exists at that time. Parsons argues that the extended family was normal in pre-industrial times, as it ideally suited this type of society, where the nuclear family is more suited to industrial society.

Question 24

whats meant by the nuclear family being ‘geographically mobile’?

Answer 24

its easier for the nuclear family to move for work than to have to uproot the whole of extended family e.g due to grandparents. this is important as industrialisation emerged in many different places and brought new opportunities for work.

Question 25

whats meant by the nuclear family being ‘socially mobile’?

define the term and explain how it is

Answer 25

-the ability of individuals to change their social status based on merit rather than being limited by their family background.
-in extended families, the son’s status would’ve been ascribed by his father.Eg the son would continue to work in the family blacksmith business.but by changing from extended to nuclear families , conflict between parents and their upwardly mobile kids ,which could threaten the family’s stability, is prevented

Question 26

How do functionalists see divorce, the decline of marriage and alternative family types?

Answer 26

as threatening to the stability of society.

Question 27

What is a strength of the functionalists view of the family?

there 2 things to say ( ur point & “general” ((so no numbers/data)) evidence)

Answer 27

-there’s research evidence to support the functionalist theory that the nuclear family is the ideal type for society
-evidence shows that tht the nuclear family plays a key role in healthy social development of kids, and that other forms of family e.g single -parent don’t do so well in socialising kids into norms and values of society

Question 28

what is a criticism of this theory? (feminism)