funct- view on the family

Question 1

what is the funct view on the family overall?

Answer 1

functionalists see the family as performing a positive function for society such as preparing children to fit into society through primary socialisation

Question 2

what is Murdock theory on the family?

Answer 2

Murdock believes that the family is an essential building block of society and its four main functions are

• Sexual regulation
• reproduction
• socialization of children into social norms and values( similar to parsons idea on the essential functions of society)
• Economic, the economic function the family performs for its members such as providing shelter food etc

Question 3

what are some criticisms of Murdock’s theory?

Answer 3

• research shows that other cultures such a NAYAR see the nuclear family as less conventional than other countries highlighting the difference in attitudes towards the nuclear family
• Conflict theory, feminists see Murdock’s theory as only benefiting men not children and women highlighting how the nuclear family disadvantages women, Marxists would argue that mudrocks theory only benefits capitalism by preparing a next generation of workers
• there is ALSO AN IDEA that Murdock’s theory is outdated ad this no longer reflects 21st century vies on the family

Question 4

explain parsons theory of fit ?

Answer 4

parsons see the family as an institution that adapts to the changing nature of society for example when society’s economy changes the family changes according to for example pre-industrial period the extended family fit the circumstances of society at that time as the family was responsible for all institutions like education, healthcare, etc
however, when the industrial revolution hit and the industrial period started the extended family no longer fit the nature of society, the nuclear family fit society because it was small and because it was socially and geographically mobile to move around the country for work in factories, etc and was no longer responsible for all of the institutions

Question 5

what is structural differentiation and how does it link to parsons theory of fit

Answer 5

structural differentiation is the transfer of responsibilities from one institution to another and in parsons theory of fir during the industrial period the family lost some of its functions due to the shift from extended to nuclear t, the nuclear family was no longer responsibilities for all institutions due to structural diffrentaioantion

Question 6

what are some criticisms of parson theory of fit

Answer 6

• Laslett found that only 10% of household pre-industrialization contained extended kin which suggests that the nuclear family was always the dominant type of family which shows that the theory of fit is exaggerated
• young and Willmot - found that extended family still exists specifically in east London

Question 7

parsons theory of the two essential functions of the family.

Answer 7

1- primary socialization of children- nuclear family si responsible for equipping the children with social norms and values such as manners, timekeeping, resect etc, gendered socialization is seen as an important function of the family where boys learn the instrumental role ( breadwinners girls learn the expressive role, to be nurturing caring etc

2 stabilization of adult personalities, this refers to the emotional love and security of marital relationships posses specifically for men who are stressed at the workplace and come home to relax and release tension this is also known as the warm bath theory described by parsons

Question 8

what are some criticisms of parsons theory on the essential functions of the family

Answer 8

• • parsons theory downplays the dark side of the family such as domestic violence and child abuse
• ignore the exploration of women