family has loss its functions in modern society

Question 1

introduction

Answer 1

• it is often that industrialisation has eroded its importance of the family
• it is argued that the family fulfills a number of importanct functions for individuals and for society such as the stabilization of adult personalities and the socialization of children.
• However, it is also argued that family and kinship ties are becoming less important and that family has loss most of it functions as these functions are being take over by other institutions such as eduction, welfare state and so on.
• thus, this essay will assess and explain further whether family has lost its functions in modern industrial societies.

Question 2

talcott parsons

Answer 2

• in a modern industrialized society, many of the functions by the family in pre-industrial societies have been removed from the family
• these have been transferred into a more specialized institution such as hospitals, education and welfare system
• PArsons calls this structural differentiation
  Parsons claims that family has not entirely lost its functions but this does not diminish the importance of the family
• but the function has reduced to 2 irreducible and basic functions ; (1) the stabilisation of adult personalities nad (2) the primary socialization of children
• these families can only be performed by the nuclear family its self

Question 3

Criticism against parsons : Ronald fletcher

Answer 3

• He denies that family has lost many of its functions in the contemporary society
• in pre - industrial and early industrial society, poverty prevented functions of the family such as welfare, education and health
• Family in the past was not in a happy place nor does it serve the function for its members as was believed
• the family in Victorian times was generally poor whereby they had poor housing, poor diet and lack of education
• this means that lives of most people were extremely difficult.
• in contrast to this black picture, Fletcher suggests that today’s modern family is a healthy institution that is supported by various institution which allows family to focus on these function that is still in charge of.
• Fletcher argues that family has more functions, not fewer.
• for example ; the health and welfare functions of the family have been strengthened by the welfare state and parents today are more preoccupied with the children’s health.

Question 4

MURDOCK (FOR)

Answer 4

• he argues that family is responsible for 4 functions to meet the need of the society and its members ; (1) reproduction (2) Economic (3) Sexual (4) Education
• However, industrial societies have taken away a lot of functions of the family
• For example ; education is how the responsibility of the government with state schools offering free compulsory education
• during th 20th century, the state has expanded its provisions of welfare services for the elderly in the form of pensions and health services
• consequently, they rely less on their families and t is possible to conclude that family has lost its functions and decline its importance.

Question 5

CRITICISM AGAINST MURDOCK ; CHANGES IN FAMILY FUNCTIONS

(1) Sexual and reproduction function

Answer 5

• It was Murdock who identified sexual and reproduction of the family as he argued that this was a significant function because there would be no members in the society and this function is important because it reduces conflict in the society.
• he found out that there are restrictions or forbids or limits sexual activities outside of marriage.
• Murdock’s work has become less relevant in post modern societies in western Europe and northern america.
• Anne Barlow, Simon Duncan, grace James and Alison park (2001) ; found changing in public attitudes whereby people are open to premarital sex as shown by the increase to those who think it is not wrong at all ; 42% in 1982 to 62% in 2000.

Question 6

(2) Economic Function of the Family

Answer 6

• in modern times, the family serves the economic function simply by providing a workplace in society
• but it is no longer a unit of production as it is used ti be in pre -industrial societies
• the family used to be a unit of production as it produced their own goods, essential fro their own survival
• after industrialization, people would go to work and earn wages to buy their goods
• it is argues that family still maintains as a vital economic function as a unit of consumption
• in particular, the amount of people working from home is now increasing simply because of the advance technology
• social networks that provides a platform to communicate