functionalism Flashcards
murdock
Argues that the family performs 4 essential functions to meet the needs of society and its members and that the nuclear family is the universal family type.
murdock 4 essential function
Sexual: stabilises sex drive
Reproduction: next generation
Socialisation: children have society’s norms and values
Economic needs: food and shelter for family members
parsons
The Functional fit theory: the functions of the family will depend of kind of society in which it is found. Society changed over last 200 years from pre-industrial to industrial so changed from extended family to nuclear family type to fit the more complex industrial society better
parsons how family fits industrial societal needs
- Geographically mobile workforce (easier for nuclear family to move)
Socially mobile workforce: can move up social ladder
parsons loss of functions
Preindustrial family was multi-functional unit that was more self efficeient (e.g. farmed own foods, educated children themselves, medical attention given at home)
When society industrialised family became a ‘unit of consumption’ rather than production and lost most functions, like education and health care to schools and health services
Parsons (1955) two reducible functions:
The primary socialisation of children: basic skills and values of society so that they can cooperate with others and integrate in wider society
The stabilisation of adult personalities: adults can relax and ease tensions, enabling the workforce to be refreshed and meat its demands (warm bath theory)
criticisms
- too idealistic, ‘rose-tinted’
- ignores family diversity, same functions can be performed by other family types
supporting, fletcher
agrees that the family is the only institution that can do certain functions like primary socialisation
parsons warm bath theory
family is place of refuge, that provided comfort and safety
