*Functionalism in the family

Question 1

What is the beliefs of functionalism?

Answer 1

A successful society has a stable social structure
- diff institutions perform unique functions that contribute to the maintenance of the whole thing

Question 2

What is a structural consensus?

Answer 2

Social structure that shapes individuals behavior through the process of socialization (power exerted throughout)

Question 3

What is social solidarity?

Answer 3

Individuals feel apart of something bigger and teaching them standards of acceptance behavior, achieved through family and wider society
- traditionally achieved through religion, secularization = crisis of anomie

Question 4

What did Durkheim say about anomie?

Answer 4

Too much freedom = individuals suffer from uncertainty, fear, lack of morality and their ontology (confusion about their place in the world) = anomie

Question 5

What is value consensus?

Answer 5

Shared understanding of a society or group in regards to fundamental values and beliefs that shape and guide behavior and social norms

Question 6

What is the organismic analogy by Spencer?

Answer 6

All institutions have similar functions to organs within a body in that within society they’re interdependent and more complex together and capable than individually.

Question 7

What does functionalism focus on?

Answer 7

Nuclear heterosexual families to the exclusion of other families
- functions change over time, mostly due to industrialization
- industrialization grew and kinship broke up, directly impacting on family structures

Question 8

What does Parson’s theory consist of?

Answer 8

• Structural differentiation
• Stabilization of adult personalities
• Primary socialization
• Move from extended
• Expressive VS Instrumental

Question 9

What is meant by structural differentiation?

Answer 9

Industrialization lead to new, more specialized social institutions to take over some functions of the family
- EG: Factories, schools and hospitals

Question 10

What is meant by primary socialisation?

Answer 10

Socialization during early years of childhood
- child’s personality molded to immerse core values of society into them
- Factory analogy: process and systems available to continually reproduce human personalities in a warm, secure environment

Question 11

What is meant by the stabilization of adult personalities?

Answer 11

Emphasizes emotional security found within marital relationships
- balances out stress of everyday life

Question 12

What theory relates to the stabilization of adult personalities?

Answer 12

Steel and Kidd: Warm bath theory

Question 13

What is the Warm bath theory?

Answer 13

Family provides stress relief by creating a safe environment
- adults can be themselves and act out the childish dimension of their personality
- acts as a safety valve, prevents stress and strengthens social stability

Question 14

What is meant by the move from extended?

Answer 14

Structure and functions of a family depends on the kind of society it’s found
- 5 main reasons for the move from extended nuclear of preindustrial society to isolated nuclear

Question 14

What’s reason 1?

Answer 14

Geographically mobile
- necessary for people and families to move around the world/country to find work, improve education and promotion

Question 15

What is reason 2?

Answer 15

Higher rates of social mobility
- different members in different jobs, education, lifestyle and opportunities
- weakens relations, less in common

Question 15

What is reason 3?

Answer 15

Growth of wealth
- more affluent in modern society, no need for economic reliability on extended family
- welfare state: some of family functions taken away by specialized social institutions

Question 16

What is reason 4?

Answer 16

Meritocracy
- Require more specialised skills in modern society than preindustrial
- getting a job, more to do with skills and education than nepotism

Question 17

What is reason 5?

Answer 17

Family stability
- Lack of support from extended family can cement family relations by increasing dependence between married or cohabiting parents

Question 18

What is meant by expressive vs instrumental?

Answer 18

Sexual division of labour within families
- role allocation for family to function correctly
- Expressive: women’s role, provide care, love, affection, security and all emotional support a family member might need
- Instrumental: men’s role, breadwinner, an arduous, stressful and anxious role that can cause men to breakdown

Question 19

What do functionalists argue about the basis of society?

Answer 19

Society is based on social consensus and sharing norms and values

Functionalists such as Durkheim and Parsons emphasize the importance of shared beliefs in maintaining social order.

Question 20

How do functionalists view the control exerted in society?

Answer 20

Control is exerted from the top, meaning by the government and those in power

Functionalists believe this top-down approach is positive for societal stability.

Question 21

What is the belief about social change according to functionalists?

Answer 21

Social change must happen organically and naturally without uprising.

Question 22

What is the functionalist view of the family and value consensus?

Answer 22

The family socializes its members into a shared set of norms and values.

Question 23

What is the primary focus of the functionalist perspective regarding the family?

Answer 23

The functions of the family in maintaining order and stability in society.

Question 24

What did Murdock's 1949 study conclude about the nuclear family?

Answer 24

The nuclear family is a universal social unit.

Question 25

What is Murdock's definition of the family?

Answer 25

A social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction ## Footnote Includes adults of both sexes in a socially approved sexual relationship and one or more children.

Question 26

What are the two types of families distinguished by Murdock?

Answer 26

* Nuclear families (parents and children) * Extended families (parents, children, and other relatives)

Question 27

What are the four major functions of the nuclear family according to Murdock?

Answer 27

* Sexual * Reproduction * Socialisation * Economic

Question 28

Why is the nuclear family considered the best by Murdock?

Answer 28

It provides stable, permanent heterosexual relationships.

Question 29

How does the nuclear family contribute to emotional bonds?

Answer 29

Increases the likelihood of strong emotional bonds between parents and children.

Question 30

What is Parsons' view on the changes in family functions over time?

Answer 30

Functions of the family have changed due to industrialization.

Question 31

What does structural differentiation imply according to Parsons?

Answer 31

New specialized social institutions develop to take over functions previously performed by families.

Question 32

What are the two functions that the nuclear family retains according to Parsons?

Answer 32

* Socialisation of the young * Stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 33

What is primary socialisation?

Answer 33

Socialisation that occurs during the early years of childhood.

Question 34

What is the 'Warm Bath Theory' proposed by Parsons?

Answer 34

The family provides emotional security and stress relief for adults.

Question 35

What is the role of the sexual division of labour in the isolated nuclear family?

Answer 35

Members are allocated particular roles to stabilize the family.

Question 36

What are Parsons' expressive and instrumental roles?

Answer 36

* Expressive role: women's role to provide care and emotional support * Instrumental role: men's role as the breadwinner

Question 37

What are the five main reasons for the transition from extended to isolated nuclear families according to Parsons?

Answer 37

* Geographical mobility * Higher rates of social mobility * Growth of wealth and welfare system * Growth of meritocracy * Protection of family stability