Functionalism on family

Question 1

What is the structural view

Answer 1

Believes society shapes individuals and determines our behaviour through the socialisation process

Question 2

What is the consensus view

Answer 2

Believes that society benefits all members of society equally as people share values and culture

Question 3

What view is functionalism

Answer 3

Structural and consensus

Question 4

What do functionalists believe about social institutions

Answer 4

Have a function in society and they all have their part to play in maintaining social order

Question 5

What’s social order

Answer 5

Maintenance of a stable society

Question 6

What is value consensus

Answer 6

When everyone shared the same norms and values then creates social solidarity

Question 7

What is social solidarity

Answer 7

A sense of belonging and a sense of community

Question 8

What is organic analogy

Answer 8

Functionalists think that society is like a human body

Question 9

What are the functionalists ideas of the body and society

Answer 9

Every part has function helps to keep it alive and breathing= every part keeps society going
Grows and develops over time
All body parts work together in big system= parts of society are interdependent
Fights disease= mechanisms to deal with occurring problems

Question 10

What do functionalists believe about the family

Answer 10

That it’s important to society because it has functions for individuals within the family and for society

Question 11

What are functional prerequisites

Answer 11

Society has certain basic needs taht need to be met if it is to continue successfully into the future

Question 12

What are the four basic functions of the family

Answer 12

Reproductive
Sexual
Educational
Economic

Question 13

Criticisms of murdocks study

Answer 13

Outdated
Reproduction- size of family declined because of women’s attitude
Sexual- decline in religion means sex before marriage is a norm, homosexuality accepted
Educational- concerns on mass media, peer groups have become more influential than family fuelling social problems
Economic- mother now works, increased symmetrical family, government benefits

Question 14

What is parsons study (1955)

Answer 14

Interested in historical development of family in order to explain why nuclear family has been dominant.

Question 15

What is the functional fit theory

Answer 15

Idea that the family and it’s functions will adapt to ‘fit’ the needs of the society in which it’s found. Focussed on role of industrialisation of family

Question 16

What did parsons believe about family structures

Answer 16

Parsons believed taht in pre industrial societies the extended family was the norm whereas, the nuclear family because the norm in industrial societies.

Question 17

What was the traditional pre industrial family like

Answer 17

Large and extended
Multi functional- education, healthcare
Unit of both production and consumption 
Static in location 
No oppertunities or social mobility 
Family for support 
Work and home not separate 
Ascribed status

Question 18

What was the modern industrial family like

Answer 18

Small, nuclear, modified extended
Only performs a couple functions 
Unit of consumption 
Geographically mobile
Move up and down social class 
Variety of agencies and institutions for support
Separated work and home
Stays achieved

Question 19

What is structural differntiation

Answer 19

When healthcare and education used to be responsibility for the family but specialist institutions have taken over

Question 20

What are the two basic and vital functions Parsons argued the family retain

Answer 20

Primary socialisation

The stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 21

What is the primary socialisation function

Answer 21

Family main centre of primary socialisation- teaching norms and values which prepare child to take their place as an adult in society. Mothers play the role of nurturing and socialisation in families. Families are part of social control

Question 22

What is the stabilisation of adult personalities function

Answer 22

Provide comfort and emotional support for adults and allow adults to indulge in childish behaviour when playing with children which should be the female in the expressive role.
Male in instrumental role needs stress relieving after work.
Warm bath theory

Question 23

What’s the warm bath theory

Answer 23

The family is like a warm bath which relieves pressures of work and contemporary society just as a warm bath soothes and relaxes body

Question 24

According to parsons what is the females role in the family

Answer 24

Expressive role= housewife

Question 25

According to parsons what is the male role in the family

Answer 25

Instrumental role= breadwinner

Question 26

Criticisms of parsons 2 functions

Answer 26

Both women and men work
Primary- the father also now does the process of nurturing and socialisation in families
Warm bath- families can be hostile, domestic violence, child abuse
Outdated
Same sex families or lone parent not included saying they don’t have these functions socialisation isn’t always a one way process

Question 27

Criticisms of functionalism

Answer 27

Lesley 1972 claimed industrialisation didn’t create nuclear family as it existed before.
Wilmott and Young 1957 families adapt to society , extended family survived past industrialisation.
ETHNOCENTRIC- middle class American society
Rose tinted picture of family life
Outdated

Question 28

Supportings of functionalism

Answer 28

Parsons work on functional fit influenced other sociologists to look at how society changed and how family adapt.
Successfully explains how family controls behaviour
Dominant in 1950s

Question 29

What did Chester suggest 1985

Answer 29

despite families appearing to have changed since the industrial revolution. Suggested that nuclear family has simply transitioned to a neo conventional family

Question 30

What is a neo conventional family

Answer 30

Dual earning family where both partners work

Question 31

Criticisms of Chester

Answer 31

Doesn’t include Lone parent or same sex families
Outdated because homosexuality Is now legal
Ethnocentric- western

Question 32

What was murdocks study

Answer 32

250 societies and found nuclear family existed in each society either on its own or within an extended family. Concluded nuclear family was universal

Question 32

What did Murdock say the reproductive function of the family is

Answer 32

Childbearing occurs within marital and family context in more cultures. Children symbolic of couples emotional commitment. Children symbolise marital relationship and family life

Question 32

Murdocks sexual basic function

Answer 32

Nuclear family functions regulate sexual behaviour therefore functions for good of both individual and society. Marital sex creates powerful emotional bond between couple encouraging life long commitment

Question 33

Murdocks educational basic functions

Answer 33

Primary sociolisation occurs within family. Culture needs to be transmitted to next generation

Question 34

Murdocks economic function of family

Answer 34

Parents show commitment to care, protection, maintenance of children by becoming productive workers. Use wages to provide housing, food, clothing