Functionalist key concepts and theorists test Flashcards
What are the Functionalist views on the family
Who argues that the family performs four essential functions /
Murdock - universal and a foundation stone of society
What are the four functions Murdock suggests are the functions of the family ?
- Reproduction - ensures societies survival
- Sexual/ monogamy - means that
- Economic - benefits the economic system
- Socialisation - culture is passed down through generations
Who can be used as an evaluation against Murdock ?
- Murdocks theory is outdated and has failed to keep up with modern trends such as the feminisation of the work force , increase in life expectancy , different family types ( increase in family diversity)
Who argues that the nuclear family fits into society greatly ?
Parsons- he uses the functional fit theory to suggests that the nuclear family is the best family type because it can adapt to any society
eg pre industrialisation the nuclear family plus extended famil7y was the dominant family type but adapted when the industrialisation period hit because it enabled geographical mobility
Who argues that there is structural differentiation?
Parsons - this is the idea that society has become more specialised and took over the functions of the family for example the educational function was taken over by schools/ the government
What is an evaluation of Parsons theory of fit ?Who
According to Willmott and Young the functional theory ignores that the nuclear family is still not the dominant family type because inj there study it was found that the extended family is till very much prevalent specifically in places such as East london where families would support one another regarding childcare etc /
What is an evaluation of Parsons theory of fit ?
According to Willmott and Young the functional theory ignores that the nuclear family is still not the dominant family type because inj there study it was found that the extended family is till very much prevalent specifically in places such as East london where families would support one another regarding childcare etc /
Who argued that the extended family was still prevalent after industrialisation ?
Willmott and young .
What is a further evaluation of the functionalist theory of fit according to interprevitis ?
- Interprevitis argues that functionalists such as parsons see children as an empty vessel that is filled up by the culture of parents however sociologists such as Evans and Chandler study pester power .
Who argues that the nuclear family provides two key functions that essential to society?
- Parsons
- Warm bath theory
- Stabilisation of adult personalities
