Functionalist Perspective Flashcards
Overview
Vital organ in maintaining society (biological analogy)
Performs functions- positive impact
Murdock
4 Functions
Sexual
Reproduction
Socialisation
Economic
4 Functions
Sexual
Family allows expression of sexuality in socially accepted context
Stabilises society through committed monogamy
4 Functions
Reproduction
Family provides stability for reproduction + rearing children
4 Functions
Socialisation
Family important for primary socialisation of children
Learn socially acceptable behaviour + culture- build value consensus
4 Functions
Economic
Family unit of production + consumption
Provides food + shelter for family members
Parsons
2 Functions
Primary socialisation
Stabilisation of adult personalities
2 Functions
Primary Socialisation
Learning + internalising societal culture
Society would cease to exist without this
Society’s culture part of an individual’s personality- moulded in terms of societal values, families provide requisite warmth + support
2 Functions
Stabilisation of Adult Personalities
Industrial society- expressive and instrumental roles
Wife’s expressive role reduces tension/stress caused by work
Sexual division of labour stabilises personalities
Alternate Name for Parson’s Theory
Warm bath theory
Decline of the Extended Family
Why?
Shift towards privatised nuclear family due to structural isolation
Loss of functions and links to social institutions
Decline of the Extended Family
Geographical Mobilty
Specialised division of labour requires people to move for work
Often involves leaving extended family members behind- so isolated nuclear family not restrained by responsibilty to kin favoured
Decline of the Extended Family
Social Mobility
HIgher rates of mobility between social classes mean different members of extended family may be in different jobs, differences in education, income, lifestyle, attitudes etc
Differences weaken relations- less in common
Decline of the Extended Family
Growth in Wealth + the Welfare State
People better off and welfare state has taken over functions traditionally performed by the family- education, health, welfare
Reduced dependence on kin in times of need
Decline of the Extended Family
Growth of Meritocracy
More skills/education needed for jobs
What you know valued over who you know- degrades reliance, kin less likely to offer jobs
However, doesn’t apply to upper class
Decline of the Extended Family
Need to Avoid Conflict
Different lifestyles/worldviews and statuses of extended family members living together could create conflict
Adult children move away from the family home to avoid conflict- weakens extended family
Decline of the Extended Family
Stronger Bonds Between Married and Cohabiting Partners
Parsons- Bonds between partners mean family not needed for external support
Young and Wilmott- Rising living standards make home more attractive, family life more home oriented
Changing Functions
Stuctural Differentiation
Parsons
Functions traditionally performed by family are removed/transformed to specific institutions (2 functions left)
Evaluation
Downplays Conflict
Murdock + Parsons paint family as harmonious + integrated, downplay conflict
Esp ‘darker side’- child abuse + violence against women
Evaluation
Out of Date
Instrumental and expressive role out of date
Relevant in the 1950s, most married women work now
Both partners likely to play both roles
Evaluation
Ignores Exploitation of Women
Ignores women’s suffering from the sexual division of labour
Responsibility for housework and children undermines career prospects (e.g restricted hours)
Housework causes stress- mental illness
Evaluation
Ignores Harmful Effects of Family
Leach- In modern society, nuclear family inward looking institution, unrealistic emotional standards
Laimy, Esterson, and Cooper- Family destructive and exploitative- smothers individuality + leads to obediance
Feminists- Critical of ignorance of ‘darker side’
Change to Traditional Functions
Reproduction of Population
Since 1970s, increase in children + sexual relations before, outside of, alongside marriage
Change to Traditional Functions
Unit of Production
Early 19th century, work moving to offices
Families don’t produce needed goods (unit of consumption)
Skills for working life learnt in schools, workplace, job schemes
Change to Traditional Functions
Maintaining and Caring for Dependent Children
Modern nuclear family less dependent on relatives for help with childcare
State welfare + social services + pre/after school clubs + nurseries supplement role of the family
Change to Traditional Functions
Providing Help and Care for the Young, Old, Sick, and Poor
Shared with welfare state through NHS + social services
Change to Traditional Functions
Primary Socialisation and Social Control of Children
Family retains main responsibility for socialisation of children
Shared with children’s centres, childminders etc as well as free nursery education
State education system + media also influence
Change to Traditional Functions
Education
Introduction of compulsory state education removed function from family
Children from 5-18 in school, college, or training
Family plays role in supplementing and supporting school education
Change to Traditional Functions
Evaluation- Fletcher
Functions weren’t carried out previously, now they are
Checking health + diagnosing minor illnesses parental responsibilty
Social services can intervene, increased parental responsibility
Unit of consumption- new function
Change to Traditional Functions
Evaluation- Feminist
Modern family is a unit of production- women’s unpaid labour
Change to Traditional Functions
Evaluation- Marxist
Family motivates workers in boring, unfulfilling jobs
Change to Traditional Functions
Disappearance of Extended Family?
Modified extended family highly relevant- links to kin still exist
Classic extended famil lives in Asian and w/c communities
