*Functionalism in the family Flashcards
What is the beliefs of functionalism?
A successful society has a stable social structure
- diff institutions perform unique functions that contribute to the maintenance of the whole thing
What is a structural consensus?
Social structure that shapes individuals behavior through the process of socialization (power exerted throughout)
What is social solidarity?
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
What did Durkheim say about anomie?
Too much freedom = individuals suffer from uncertainty, fear, lack of morality and their ontology (confusion about their place in the world) = anomie
What is value consensus?
Shared understanding of a society or group in regards to fundamental values and beliefs that shape and guide behavior and social norms
What is the organismic analogy by Spencer?
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.
What does functionalism focus on?
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
What does Parson’s theory consist of?
- Structural differentiation
- Stabilization of adult personalities
- Primary socialization
- Move from extended
- Expressive VS Instrumental
What is meant by structural differentiation?
Industrialization lead to new, more specialized social institutions to take over some functions of the family
- EG: Factories, schools and hospitals
What is meant by primary socialisation?
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
What is meant by the stabilization of adult personalities?
Emphasizes emotional security found within marital relationships
- balances out stress of everyday life
What theory relates to the stabilization of adult personalities?
Steel and Kidd: Warm bath theory
What is the Warm bath theory?
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
What is meant by the move from extended?
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
What’s reason 1?
Geographically mobile
- necessary for people and families to move around the world/country to find work, improve education and promotion
What is reason 2?
Higher rates of social mobility
- different members in different jobs, education, lifestyle and opportunities
- weakens relations, less in common
What is reason 3?
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
What is reason 4?
Meritocracy
- Require more specialised skills in modern society than preindustrial
- getting a job, more to do with skills and education than nepotism
What is reason 5?
Family stability
- Lack of support from extended family can cement family relations by increasing dependence between married or cohabiting parents
What is meant by expressive vs instrumental?
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
What do functionalists argue about the basis of society?
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.
How do functionalists view the control exerted in society?
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.
What is the belief about social change according to functionalists?
Social change must happen organically and naturally without uprising.
What is the functionalist view of the family and value consensus?
The family socializes its members into a shared set of norms and values.
What is the primary focus of the functionalist perspective regarding the family?
The functions of the family in maintaining order and stability in society.
What did Murdock’s 1949 study conclude about the nuclear family?
The nuclear family is a universal social unit.
What is Murdock’s definition of the family?
A social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction
Includes adults of both sexes in a socially approved sexual relationship and one or more children.
What are the two types of families distinguished by Murdock?
- Nuclear families (parents and children)
- Extended families (parents, children, and other relatives)
What are the four major functions of the nuclear family according to Murdock?
- Sexual
- Reproduction
- Socialisation
- Economic
Why is the nuclear family considered the best by Murdock?
It provides stable, permanent heterosexual relationships.
How does the nuclear family contribute to emotional bonds?
Increases the likelihood of strong emotional bonds between parents and children.
What is Parsons’ view on the changes in family functions over time?
Functions of the family have changed due to industrialization.
What does structural differentiation imply according to Parsons?
New specialized social institutions develop to take over functions previously performed by families.
What are the two functions that the nuclear family retains according to Parsons?
- Socialisation of the young
- Stabilisation of adult personalities
What is primary socialisation?
Socialisation that occurs during the early years of childhood.
What is the ‘Warm Bath Theory’ proposed by Parsons?
The family provides emotional security and stress relief for adults.
What is the role of the sexual division of labour in the isolated nuclear family?
Members are allocated particular roles to stabilize the family.
What are Parsons’ expressive and instrumental roles?
- Expressive role: women’s role to provide care and emotional support
- Instrumental role: men’s role as the breadwinner
What are the five main reasons for the transition from extended to isolated nuclear families according to Parsons?
- Geographical mobility
- Higher rates of social mobility
- Growth of wealth and welfare system
- Growth of meritocracy
- Protection of family stability
