Functionalism Role Of The Family- Topic One- Theories Of The Family

Question 1

What is primary socialisation?

Answer 1

-Parsons
-Family teaches basic norms and values
-Enables children to cooperate and integrate into society
-Nuclear family: mother=expressive, father=instrumental- biologically suited roles

Feminists: socialisised into patriarchy

Question 2

What is economic?

Answer 2

-Murdock
-Family works as a unit to meet economic needs of all it’s members
-Nuclear family: father=instrumental, mother=expressive
-Parsons: geographically and socially mobile workforce

Marxists: rose tinted view- profits over people

Question 3

What is the stabilisation of adult personalities?

Answer 3

-Parsons
-Family is a place where adults can relax and relieve tensions from their job, enabling them to feel refreshed and economically productive
-Family is a ‘saftey valve’
Helps smooth running of economy

-Feminists: ignore ‘dark side’ of the family- domestic violence

Question 4

What is reproduction?

Answer 4

-Murdock
-Family has a key role in reproducing the next generation
-For society to continue=more members
-Through marriage children are created

-Postmodernists: traditional nuclear family is outdated- many ways to childbear- sperm donor

Question 5

What is Sexual Regulation?

Answer 5

-Murdock
-The role of the family is to satisfy the adult sex drive
-Monogamous marriage- each partner has access to sex
Prevents sexual disruption e.g sexual ‘free for all’

-Marxists: serves capitalism- monogamy ensures property stays in the family