functionalism- theories of the family

Question 1

what does parsons say about primary socialisation

Answer 1

every individual must learn the shared norms and values of society , without this there would be no value consensus.Family is responsible for moulding childrens personalities in terms of societies culture.

Question 2

what is warm bath theory

Answer 2

emotional security that couples provide for eachother acts as a balance for the stresses of modern life that can make adult personalities unstable.The family provides them with a sense of belonging and purpose.Parsons uses the analogy of a warm bath as it relieves the pressures of every day life

Question 3

how is the warm bath theory important to the male worker

Answer 3

becayse the pressures that come with the instrumental role in the family

Question 4

critisicms

Answer 4

• feminists would say is to positive and ignores the effects of domestic responsibility on women -e.g triple shift
• marxists would say the norms and values transmitted in primary socialisation support capitalism
• post modernist would say that primary socialisation is now also influenced by the media