Functionaist View Of The Family

Question 1

What is the functionalist view of the family?

Answer 1

Family is one of the corner stones of society and it performs an essential function which supports social stability and social cohesion.

Question 2

Universal nuclear family

Answer 2

Family that consists of 2 generations, parents and children. Murdock believes that this family type exists all over the world and is the best family type.

Question 3

Social institutions

Answer 3

Structures in society which influence behaviours such as the family, education, media and religion.

Question 4

What are the 4 functions of the family?

Answer 4

Sexual , Reproduction, Socialisation and Economic.

Question 5

Sexual

Answer 5

Ensures that adult sexual relationships are controlled and social acceptable. This meant stable monogamous heterosexual relationships.

Question 6

Reproduction

Answer 6

The biological reproduction of the next generation - without it society can’t continue.

Question 7

Socialisation

Answer 7

Teaches basic norms and values so that the next generation are fully integrated into society and maintain the social.

Question 8

Economic

Answer 8

Meeting members economic needs - producing food and shelter.

Question 9

Functions of the family - Parsons

Answer 9

Socialisation - agrees with Murdock that family is essential for primary socialisation process and ensuring that each generation are

Question 10

Stabilisation of adult personalities - Parsons

Answer 10

Refers to the emotional security which is achieved which is achieved with a martial relationship between two adults.

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 reduces conflict in society - ‘warm bath theory’

Stabilisation is achieved through the biologically determined roles - expressive and instrumental.

Question 11

Parsons: internal criticisms

Answer 11

Best fit theory - nuclear family isn’t universal as the structure of a family changes when the needs of society changes.
Pre-industrial families were extended families with multiple generations living together.
Post-industrial families needed to be geographically mobile and become isolated nuclear families.

Question 12

Parsons: Structural Differentiation

Answer 12

Some family functions are found by Murdock have moved to other institutions. E.g. economic function has been taken on by the welfare state and the NHS.

Question 13

Evaluation

Answer 13

Down plays role of conflict in family - Like the oppression of women and domestic violence. Family isn’t always safe like parsons says.
Out of date - women now go out to work and the biological roles are set out by Parsons no longer apply as clearly.
Deterministic - Assumes that the members of society automatically take on norms and values.
Ignores family diversity - assumes that all families are best when nuclear however many family structures are apparent in todays society and still fulfill the same functions