Functionalism and new right Flashcards
What does the organic analogy mean
Social institutions - family, education, religion, media, work– perform specific functions thus maintaining harmony in society. The nuclear family provides this stability, other family types dont
What does value consensus and social solidarity mean
Value consensus are norms and values shared by society’s members and they ensure harmony and peace in society.
Social solidarity refers to peace and harmony in society.
Why do Functionalists have a positive view of the Nuclear family
the family, as a social institution, plays a crucial function in maintaining the value consensus and social solidarity.
What does Murdock say about the theory of family roles
Favours the nuclear family in which the man takes the instrumental role (breadwinner role) and the woman takes the expressive role (caring role). the roles are based on biological differences which make men and women suited for each role. When women and
men perform these roles, the family is functional and can carry out its roles.
According to murdock What are the 4 functions of the family
Sexual – married heterosexual couples enjoy a healthy sex life which prevents them from having affairs and children are brought up by their natural parents.
Reproductive – bearing children, maintains the society.
Economic – providing food and shelter, segregated conjugal roles. Also, a unit of consumption.
Educational – primary socialisation of children.
These roles are so important for society that Murdock argues the nuclear family is universal; it exists in all societies.
How can you criticise Murdock
Murdock is too optimistic and positive in his views
of the family; he ignores the negative aspects of
family life such as abuse.
Parson and his research into theories of the role of family
Argues the functions the family performs depend on the type of society.
Traditional society- classic extended family was common because people worked in agriculture which requires a large workforce and no welfare system mean kin relied on each other for support
Modern society- Nuclear family is common because it fits the modern society perfectly as:
there is need for geographical mobility-people need to be able to move for work and education. Having a small family makes this easier.
Existence of welfare states- now turn to sate for support in times of need which weakens the bonds with extended kin
More on Parsons research
warm bath theory
Family went through structural differentiation. It lost some of its functions and become specialised in carrying out only 2:
Primary socialisation- passing society’s norms and values onto new generations.
Stabilising adult personalities-the family is a warm,friendly place where adults can relax. (warm bath)-having a family is like having a warm bath. its a place where all the stress of everyday life are soaked away.
Criticism of Parsons’ theory
Feminists criticise the segregated roles on which Parsons says the ideal family is based on as sexist as it implies women are biologically not suited to paid employment.
Laslett says that the extended family has not disappeared its just become modified as kin still have a role to play,e.g grandparents babysit. Postmodernists say that digital media enables relatives to stay in frequent contact even when they live far way from each other
New right and their theory into the role of family
They agree with Functionalists that the nuclear family is the ideal family type as it is based on biological differences between women and men
and only within the nuclear family can the roles be performed properly.New right claim the ideal nuclear family is in crisis and under threat because of the: Increasing divorce rates
Too generous welfare benefits
The influence of feminism which has devalued marriage.
This is causing family diversity and a decline in the nuclear family. This then leads to social disorder such as crime.
Murray and his theory on the role of family
Underclass-unemployed,single mothers who are dependent on benefits and therefore a threat to society. they cannot socialise their children properly so the children fail in education and turn to crime.Men who fathered these children also become dependent on benefits and become anti-social. this creates a dependency culture.
New Victorian- Respectable,middle class who work,pay taxes, marry and socialise their children properly To solve the problems family diversity is causing, New Right recommend that all parents must be married, mothers should stay at home and families must not receive benefits.
Criticism of new right theory
Ignore the fact that many nuclear families fail to socialise their children properly.
Feminists have accused the New Right of being sexist. They ignore the fact that with rising cost of living, a man’s income is not enough to support a family so women’s work is essential.
Cutting benefits for lone parents would make innocent
children suffer.
