Family: Functionalism Flashcards
What were 4 Murdock’s 4 functions of family
- Sexual
- Reproduction
- Socialisation of the young
- Meeting its members economic
Sexual
Ensures that adult sexual relationship are controlled socially acceptable. This meant stable monogamous heterosexual relationships
Reproduction
The biological reproduction of the next generation- without which society cannot continue
Socialisation of the young
Teaching basic norms and values so that the next generation are fully integrated into society and maintain the social
Economic
Meeting its members economic needs- producing food and shelter for example
What are the 2 functions of the family: Parsons
- Socialisation
- Stabilisation of adult personalities
Parsons: Socialisation
Agrees with Murdock that the family is essential in the primary socialisation process and ensuring the that each generation are
Stabilisation of adult personalities hint: Warm Bath Theory
The stabilisation of adult personalities refers to the emotional security which is achieved within a marital relationship between two adult.
According to Parsons 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 can reduce conflict in society (warm bath theory)
Stabilisation is achieved through the biologically determined roles: Expressive and instrumental
Evaluation
ROLE PLAYS THE ROLE OF CONFLICT IN THE FAMILY
In particular the oppression of women and domestic violence. The family is not always the safe and warm place suggested by Parsons
OUT OF DATE
Women now go out to work and the biological roles as set out by Parsons no longer apply as clearly
DETERMINISTIC
Assumes that the members of society automatically take on the norms and values
IGNORE FAMILY DIVERSITY
Assumes that all families are best when nuclear however many family structures are apparent in todays society and still fulfil the same functions
Parsons internal criticisms
BEST FIT THEORY:
Nuclear family is not universal, the structure of the family changes as the needs of the society changes. Pre industrial families were extended families with multiple generations living together, where as post industrial families needed to be geographically mobile and therefore became isolated nuclear families
STRUCTURAL DIFFERENTION: Some functions of the family as identification by Murdock have moved to other institutions for example the economic function has been taken on by the welfare state and the NHS
Functionalist view
The family is one of the corner stones of society. It performs essential functions which support social stability and social cohesion
Universal nuclear family
Family that consists of 2 generations, parents and children and Murdock believes that this family type exists all over the world and is the best family type
Social institutions
The structures in society which influence behaviour such as the family, education, media and religion
