Functionalism and the family

Question 1

Murdock 1949

Answer 1

Claimed nuclear family is universal and it performs four essential functions:

Reproductive - society requires new members to ensure its survival.
Sexual - Marital sex creates a powerful emotional bond between a couple and then therefore commits and encourages individuals to family life.
Educational - culture needs to be transmitted to the next generation, and so the family teaches the needed knowledge in order for the children to be good, socialised members of society.
Economic - Adult members show care by providing and bringing home an income.

Question 2

Murdock evaluation

Answer 2

• Families are product of culture rather than biology - family relationships and roles will take different forms between different families.
• Only focuses on the nuclear family and ignores other family types.
• Outdated

Question 3

Parsons 1955 - Personality factory

Answer 3

Personalities are made in the family. The NF creates children into good social adults who will follow positive norms and values as parents teach them what children need in the society that they belong in. The family acts as a bridge between children and wider society

Question 4

Parsons 1955 - Warm bath

Answer 4

Family relieves stresses of modern life and allows adults to act childish and in a ‘happy,fun way’. This then stabilises adult personalities and it acts as a safety valve in that it prevents stress from overwhelming the adult members within the family.

Question 5

Parsons evaluation

Answer 5

Engels - women turned into possessions of their husband within the family and so NF restricts women to perform specific jobs such as raising the children and looking after the house. The NF is not a happy and positive place for all.

Question 6

Unit of consumption

Answer 6

goods and services provided by the economy are mainly consumed by the family unit.

Question 7

For recreation and leisure

Answer 7

Family became an important centre for recreation and leisure where members could have fun but also relax.

Question 8

Protective and welfare function

Answer 8

Family makes an important contribution to the health and welfare of more vulnerable members of society such as young children and old people