family structures/functions (functionalism)

Question 1

what is polygamy?

Answer 1

marriage to more than one partner at a time

Question 2

what is polyandry?

Answer 2

marriage involving one woman with several husbands

Question 3

what is monogamy?

Answer 3

marriage to only one partner at a time

Question 4

what is the nuclear family?

Answer 4

consisting of a man, women and their children

‘cereal packet family’ - commonly used in adverts

Question 5

what is the traditional extended family?

(NICKIE CHARLES)

Answer 5

three or more generations of the same family living together or close by, with frequent contact between grandparents, aunts, cousins etc.

NICKIE CHARLES - found in Swansea extended families were ‘all but extinct’ compared to Bangladeshi community

Question 6

what is the attenuated (or dispersed) family?

Answer 6

nuclear families that live apart from their extended family, but keep in regular contact e.g. phone, zoom etc

Question 7

what is the reconstituted/blended family?

Answer 7

new stepfamilies created when parts of two previous families are brought together

Question 8

what is the beanpole family?

Answer 8

extended family that is long and thin, created by fewer children and people living longer

Question 9

what is a lone parent family?

Answer 9

single parent and their dependent children

Question 10

what is a gay + lesbian family?

Answer 10

same couple living together with children

Question 11

what where GEORGE MURDOCKS 4 functions of the family?

Answer 11

1. sexual function - satisfy sexual needs
2. reproductive function - create children
3. educational function - primary socialisation
4. economic function - shared resources, money, food and shelter for all members of the family

Question 12

what does TALCOT PARSONS believe are the functions of a family?

Answer 12

1. primary socialisation
2. the stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 13

what is the warm bath theory?

(TALCOTT PARSONS)

Answer 13

when a man comes home from a busy day at work, his family provides him with stress relief and relaxation, just as a warm bath would

Question 14

what is the functional fit theory?

(TALCOTT PARSONS)

Answer 14

as society changes, the type of family that ‘fits’ that society, and the functions it performs change

extended family fits the needs of pre-industrial society (more agricultural) while the nuclear family fits the needs of the industrial society and is dominant

Question 15

what does geographically mobile mean?

Answer 15

people need to move where the jobs are

Question 16

what does socially mobile mean?

Answer 16

industrail society requires a talented and skilled work force. people need to skill-up even if they are from humble backgrounds

Question 17

what are the criticisms of the functionalist view of family structures?

Answer 17

1. its out of date - more choice in families today and both partners likely to be playing expressive and instrumental roles
2. the role of other institutions - other institutions (e.g. NHS, education, welfare system) or non-nuclear family structures could perform these family functions
3. downplays conflict - functionalists assume family is harmonious and ignores conflict and exploitation (e.g. child abuse, domestic violence)
4. feminists criticise parsons idea that men and women should play their expressive role
5. explores exploitation of women - who have the triple burden of housework, childcare and paid employment