Functionalism and the family

Question 1

Murdock (1949)

Answer 1

Claimed Nuclear family was universal

4 Functions in society

Reproductive- Need new members for survival. Procreation generally occurs within marital and family context

Sexual- Unregulated sex= socially disruptive. Marital sex- powerful emotional bond encourages fidelity and commits individual to family life

Educational- Culture transmitted to the next generation. children need to learn the dominant norms and values.

Economic- Family members should take their place in economic and the division of labour as specialised wage earners.

Question 2

Parsons (Primary socialisation of children)

Answer 2

Nuclear family= Personality factories
Bringing up children that conform to the norms and values of society.

Expressive Role (Mothers) biologically suited to looking after children

Instrumental Role (Fathers) go out and earn an income also known as breadwinners

Question 3

Parsons (Warm Bath Theory)

Answer 3

Family stabilises adults by “ relieving the stresses of modern day living” The family is like a warm bath

Question 4

6 other functions

Answer 4

Gender role socialisation
Study: Chapman

Social Control- Positive and Negative sanctions

Social Status- Ascribed Status= Status that is allocated in terms of your age, gender, social class, ethnicity and religion

Economic Consumption- Family acts as a unit of consumption

Recreation and leisure-
Study: Evans and Chandler (2006)- notes how homes and in particularly children’s bedroom are often furnished with media and technological entertainment such as TV.

Protective and Welfare function

Question 5

Evaluation

Answer 5

Ignores dark side of family
Ignores family diversity (Postmodernist critique)
Feminist critique- Nuclear family based on male dominance and power
Interactionist critique- Socialisation is a two way process not what functionalist believe which is a top-down process
Marxism critique- Functionalists support capitalism