Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Sociology Fam + households > Functionalism > Flashcards

Functionalism Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What type of theory is Functionalism?

A

Structural, consensus, macro

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What do functionalists regard S as?

A 
System inter-related parts
Living organism (organic analogy)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is their view on the family?

A

= vital organ in maintaining ‘body’ of S
Just as heart = important organ in maintaining human body
Family performs functions (3)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Name 2 key functions that the family performs according to Functionalists

A
  1. Preps children to fit into adult S

2. Family = functional prerequisite of ALL S, enables survival

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What did Murdock (1949) see the family as?

A

Basic building block of S

Performs 4 essentail functions, meet needs of S + members

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are Murdock’s 4 functions of the family?

A
  1. Sexual (avoids free-for-all)
  2. Reproduction
  3. Socialisation (S’s shared n+v)
  4. Economic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does Murdock say about the nuclear family?

A

Plays vital functions in maintaining S

= universal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When did Murdock write about the family?

A

1949

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How could the Nayar be used to criticise Murdock (1949)?

A

Nayar, SW India
= no nuclear family before 19th cent
W = sexual relation with max 12 men
Biological father of child = uncertain
Mother’s brother = responsible for looking after her + children, not biological father
= no link between having children, getting married/ cohabitation (unlike UK)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How would Feminists criticise Murdock?

A

Family meets needs of men

Not women + children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How would Marxists criticise Murdock?

A

Family functions for needs of capitalist economy

Not family members/ S as whole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the 3 arguments against Murdock’s work?

A
  1. The Nayar
  2. Conflict theories (Marx + fem)
  3. Outdated, irrelevant to understanding families in 21st century
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

When did Parson write about the family?

A

1955

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What term did Parsons use to describe how the family adapted to meet the needs of industrial S?

A

Functional fit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does Parsons argue is the role of the family?

A

Varies from S to S
Family = required to adapt to Changes in S accordingly
S needs will affect shape/ structure of family

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What 4 things did Parson believe happened as a result of industrialisation?

A
  1. Structure of family changed (extended to nuclear)
  2. Structural differentiation
  3. Achieved status (social mobility)
  4. Geographical mobility, moved away from farming + into factories
17
Q

What did Parsons argue caused the nuclear family to emerge?

A

= result of industrialisation
Nuclear family FITTED needs of new economy
= uniquely suited to needs of industrial S

18
Q

Explain how structural differentiation came about + describe the concept
(Parsons)

A

Extended families = functional in pre-industrial S
Ascribed status, members depended on each other
= unit of production
Functional fit resulted in loss of functions
Family = more specialised
Transferred some of functions to other social institutions (Ed)

19
Q

What are Parsons 2 vital functions of the nuclear family?

A
  1. Primary socialisation of children (basic skills + v, 1st stage of integration)
  2. SOAP/ warm bath theory (release adult tensions)
20
Q

Explain Parsons warm bath theory

What roles does this require?

A

SOAP
Family helps adults release stress caused by wk
Allows them to return to wk the next day refreshed
Marital partners provide each other emotional support
Children allow adults to have ‘childish side’
Requires ‘equal-but-different’ conjugal roles
Functional for economic efficiency

21
Q

Parsons argue that males + females have what roles?

A 
Expressive role (housewife, mother)
Instrumental role (breadwinner, provider, protector)
22
Q

What are the 5 criticisms of Parsons work?

A
  1. Fletcher, not loosing functions, family has more responsibility; CH = extended
  2. Feminists, welfare of family = carried out by W for FREE
  3. Laslett’s study (households before industrial revolution, nuclear)
  4. Extended family = still important in S today (Brannen, increased role of G.parents = emergence of beanpole)
23
Q

Why was Fletcher critical of Parsons?

A

Argues that the family isn’t loosing functions, but gained them
Family has more responsibility for children; CH = extended
(Fletcher = also functionalist)

24
Q

Why are feminists critical of Parsons? (2)

A
  1. Roles aren’t ‘equal-but-different’, W do emotional work for free

ALSO critical of…
2. Assumption that W = biologically suited to unpaid work + dependency on men (patriarchal)

25
Q

How can Laslett’s study be used to criticise Parsons?

A

Study of English households before industrial rev
From Parish records
Found family = almost always nuclear
High IMR + low life expectancy
Few grandparents = alive, 2 generations = norm

26
Q

Is the extended family still important today?

Who can this be used as evidence against?

A

Yes
Classic extended family = still found (travellers)
Modified extended family (Litwak), maintain ties despite geographical separation via social media etc

Can be used to criticise Parsons

27
Q

When did Willmott + Young write?

A

1972

28
Q

What family structure do WIllmott + Young believe emerged as a result of industrialisation?
How + why did this happen?

A

Symmetrical family
Family became privatised as a result of industrialisation
Nuclear family = more functional for couples + S
Change represents MOP, conjugal roles emerged
= strengthened bonds between married couples

29
Q

How would feminists criticise Willmott + Young?

A

Symmetrical family = MYTH

Nuclear family remains a patriarchal institution

Sociology Fam + households (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions