Functionalism

Question 1

Popenoe

Answer 1

Claims the nuclear family has biological imperatives - He argues that men and women are biologically different - women(suited to nurturing role) and men (manual labour work). He claims that we need a set of guidelines based on a ‘biosocial reality’ that links familial roles to biological functions; claiming that those from ‘alternative’ families are therefore likely to be ‘damaged’ by their experiences.

Question 2

Murdock

Answer 2

Saw the social roles that men and women have, which have led to differences in societal outcomes, as being socially constructed and reinforced
Critically though, Murdock claimed that these roles fundamentally stem from the natural, biological differences between males and females
Women need to be located in the home - biological functions of earring children
Men’s naturally stringer physique - perform strenuous tasks - suited better as breadwinners

Question 3

Parsons

Answer 3

Gender inequalities are not really inequalities, due to gender roles that males and females are socialised into
Females = expressive roles e.g. caring roles
Males = instrumental roles e.g. work and labour
Men are more suited to paid employment and women are more suited to domesticity
Women less motivated and less suited to the labour market than men.

Question 4

Rastogi

Answer 4

Men are simply more work - oriented and committed to their jobs than women
Men gain more human capital while women takes breaks from career
Rastogi sees this as a naturally occurring phenomenon rather than a patriarchal conspiracy
Men become more valued in work, women feel less confident in the work and take lower status, lower paid positions