Functionalist Perspective Flashcards
What 4 essential functions did Murdock believe the family had?
- Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
- Reproduction
- Socialisation
- Economic needs
What did Marxists criticise about Murdock view?
“Rose tinted glasses” as he ignored the abuse and darker side of the family.
What did feminists criticise about Murdock view?
The family is viewed as serving the needs of men and oppressing women.
Functionalists view the family as an important -?
Sub-system (a building block of society)
Parsons believes the family are responsible for what?
Teaching norms and values for society.
What is Parsons Warm Bath Theory?
Breadwinner - male
Instrumental role - female
The female should make the family a nice warm place for when the male comes home from work.
According to Parsons, the family performs based on - and what does this effect?
The family performs on the kind of society and this affects the structure of the family.
According to Parsons, what two types of family’s are there and in what period of time were they more common?
Nuclear - modern industrial society
Extended - traditional pre-industrial society
What do feminists criticise about Parsons perspective?
It is not up to date and some women may want to work - Warm Bath Theory
What do other functionalists criticise against Parsons perspective?
It’s too deterministic.
It almost assumes an almost robotic adaptation of societies values via our parents.
What does Fletcher criticise about Parsons view?
Family has gained more functions - social services have increased responsibilities on parents and not reduce them.
