Families and households-Functionalist perspective Flashcards
When did functionalism come about?
1950s- outdated, not relevant to today’s society
What are Murdock’s (1949) 4 basic functions of the family?
-Reproduction- provides stability for reproduction and rearing children
-Economic family provides food and shelter for its members
-Sexual- expressing sexuality in a socially acceptable way
-Socialization0 unit of primary socialization, children learn the values and culture of their society, helps to build a value consensus which maintains a stable society
What are parsons’ (1951) 2 functions?
-Primary socialization of children- learn the values, culture, language and history of society, if this did not happen society would collapse
-Stabilization of human personalities- Sexual division of labour (engage in sexual activity to be able to succeed at work)
What are the weaknesses of the functionalist perspective?
-Downplays conflict in families
-Outdated
-Ignores exploitation of women
-Ignore harmful effects of the family
-Feminists
-Marxists
How is Downplayed Conflict in families a weakness?
-Abuse +domestic abuse
-Children may be emotionally disturbed
-Children are scapegoats in these situations
How is being outdated a weakness?
-Gender roles have changed
-Men are taking on greater responsibilities with childcare
How is Ignoring the exploitation of women a weakness?
-Women’s working hours are reduced due to childcare
-Can develop mental health issues from trying to balance everything (triple shift)
How do feminists criticise functionalists?
-Family serves the needs of men and oppresses women
-Men benefit more
-Maintains gender roles and stereotypes
How do Marxists criticise functionalists?
-Doesn’t look at regulated sexual behaviour (eg. adultery)
-Not all parents remain together
-Ignores social class
-Families now have fewer functions so they are not as important
-Parsons’ traditional view of expressive and instrumental roles is outdated
-The family meets the need of capitalism, not the actual family or society
What are the two strengths of the functionalist perspective?
-The nuclear family is ideal as it plays an essential part in healthy development
-It is good for socialization into norms and values of society
What are the traditional gender roles according to Parsons?
-Instrumental- the more important role, brings in money
-Expressive- deals with the emotional side of the family and has the less important (ie housewife)
How can you evaluate gender roles?
-Patriarchal
-Opress women
What do Willmott and Young (1973) argue about why the extended family has been weakened and the nuclear family has become privatised?
-Need for a small family unit for geographical mobility
-Higher rates of social mobility weaken kin links
-Greater affluence and reduced family functions need for kin
-A more meritocratic society- kin support is less useful or necessary
-Need to avoid economic and status conflict between extended kin
-Strengthened bonds between partners to protect family stability
What is the warm bath theory?
- When a man comes home from a busy day of work, his family provides him with stress relief and relaxation; just as a warm bath would
-This ensures the emotional needs of the breadwinner are met
How have the functions of the family changed?
-Since the 1970s there has been an increase in the reproduction of children and sexual relationships outside of marriage
-Work has moved out of the family home and into factories and offices as families do not need to provide their goods
-The modern nuclear family is less dependent on extended family members for childcare as the state provides it
-Caring for extended family is shared with the welfare state
-The family is no longer the only way children can socialise
-Education is no longer the responsibility of the family and is provided by the state
