Functional theories

Question 1

Functionalism is what 2 type of theory?

Answer 1

macro-structural theory,
consensus theory

Question 2

What is the value consesnus learned through?

Answer 2

socialisation

Question 3

What are the 4 functions of the family (Murdock)

Answer 3

• sexual
• reproduction
• primary socialisation
• economic

Question 4

explain the sexual function (Murdock)

Answer 4

sex should only be after marriage between man & woman to prevent unwanted pregnancies & diseases (e.g STI’s)

Question 5

evaluate Murdock’s sexual function

Answer 5

outdated - ignores modern society socially accepts diverse sexuality (homos)

Question 6

explain the reproduction function (Murdock)

Answer 6

Couples must reproduce to ensure continuation of society - hetero most effective in reproducing the next gen of society

Question 7

evaluate Murdock’s reproduction function

Answer 7

• Modern technology allows diverse families to reproduce (surrogacy, IVF)
• Modern society, not all couples want children > focus on career/themselves

Question 8

explain the primary socialisation function (Murdock)

Answer 8

Hetero couples most effective in teaching children N+V of society > help upbringing them positively

Question 9

evaluate Murdock’s primary socialisation function

Answer 9

• many children from nuclear families still commit crimes
• parents, despite being hetero, may pass on negative attitudes (sexist/racist)

Question 10

explain the economic function (Murdock)

Answer 10

Families spend money to buy needs for family members > provide shelter & food > benefits economy (positively)

Question 11

evaluate Murdock’s economic function

Answer 11

Marxist - benefits capitalism in the economy > false needs > makes families poor as they lose money whilst helping rich stay rich

Question 12

what is the main evaluation of Murdock’s theory?

Answer 12

Outdated to and understanding of households in contemporary society > fails to consider family diversity & other fam structures apart from nuclear can also perform his 4 functions

Question 13

What are the two essential functions according to Parsons?

Answer 13

• primary socialisation of children
• stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 14

What does he say about primary socialisation (Parsons)

Answer 14

Family is 1st place children learn about society’s shared N+V - fam is crucial in shaping personalities > ensuring they brought up well to become integrated members of society (social stability)

Question 15

Give examples of what N+V families teach children

Answer 15

• eating with knife and fork
• queuing in shops

Question 16

What does Parson’s primary socialisation theory ignore?

Answer 16

child poverty

Question 17

evaluate Parson’s theory of primary socialisation

Answer 17

Assumes all children brought up positively - ignores child poverty > financial stress for parents - negative impact on parent-child relationships

Question 18

How many children in the UK are currently living in poverty?

Answer 18

around 4 million +

Question 19

Because of child poverty, parents face … that have a negative impact on..

Answer 19

• financial stress
• parent-child relationships

Question 20

Give an example of child poverty to evaluate Parsons primary socialisation

Answer 20

mother living in poverty cannot easily sit and read happily, difficult to switch off money worries (high rent/bills)

Question 21

What is the warm bath theory? (SOAP - Parsons)

Answer 21

family is the place where males can release tensions, enabling them to return to work refreshed and ready to work hare - like a bubble bath

Question 22

explain stabilisation of adult personalities (Parsons)

Answer 22

Marital couples provide each other with emotional support & parenting enables them to indulge in the ‘childish side’ of their personalities

Question 23

SOAP is only achieved when..?

Answer 23

female takes the expressive role, takes care of child & husband’s needs

Question 24

What does SOAP help for wider society?

Answer 24

helps keep the economy running efficiently by making sure male workers are satisfied and happy so they’re able to work to the best of their ability

Question 25

what does SOAP ignore? (Parsons)

Answer 25

the negative aspects of the family

Question 26

give examples of the negative/dark side of the family

Answer 26

• every week in UK at least 3 women murdered (domestic violence/conflict)
• covid lockdown placed stress on couples (many unemployed)

Question 27

How may feminists criticise Parsons?

Answer 27

Parsons view on SOAP = sexist as he believes gender roles are natural + women should play housewife roles

Question 28

what is the functional fit theory (parsons)

Answer 28

idea that if a society’s economy changes, family has to adapt/change accordingly

Question 29

What is industrilisation

Answer 29

shift in economy based on agriculture to an economy based on industrilisation

Question 30

Why parsons argued there were more extended families in pre-industrial society

Answer 30

• No welfare state, had to depend on each other
• Families were units of consumption - little movement geographically/socially

Question 31

what does it mean when parsons says families were units of consumption

Answer 31

fam owned a farm – all members would work & live there together

Question 32

Why is there isolated nuclear families in industrial society

Answer 32

• structural differentiation - roles passed to NHS, education, care homes
• achieved status- achieve own jobs & no longer work for family >avoid conflict status conflict - no rivalry

Question 33

what is structural differentiation

Answer 33

the transfer of responsibilities from one institution to another