Functionalist Perspective Flashcards
What do critics say about Murdock’s theory?
Other non-nuclear families are just as capable of fulfilling these functions. Not all nuclear families carry out all four functions.
What is Durkhiems theory towards functional relationships between the family and other parts of the social system?
He argues that all parts of society are functionally interconnected. He argues that families are linked to other parts of the social system: e.g. Religion/culture, government/economy, identity, health system, education, profession..etc.
What is Parsons theory?
According to him the particular structure and functions of a given type of family will ‘fit’ the needs of society in which it is found. Reflecting this he argues that when a society changes from a traditional pre-industrial to a modern industrial one the family changes on two levels:
1) its structure changes form extended to nuclear
2) it loses many of its functions
What does Parsons say about the primary socialisation of children?
He argues that families are ‘factories’ which produce human personalities. He claims that children’s personalities are structured through the internalisation of their society’s culture. Children absorb the norms and values of society to the point where they became part of them- they are moulded in terms of the central value system of society.
What does Parsons say about stabilisation of adult personalities?
Once the personality is established it must be kept stable. Adults need emotional security and this is seen as being best achieved through the marital relationship and parenting roles.
What do functionalist theories explain?
How each part of society contributes to: solidarity, value consensus and equilibrium.
What is solidarity?
Sense of belonging, connected and united
What is value consensus?
Shared values, agreement on opinion of what is important
What is equilibrium?
Stable and balanced society
What is the four essential functions Murdock says a family needs to meet the needs of society and its members?
- Sexual - stable satisfaction of the sex drive with the same partner, preventing the social disruption caused by a sexual ‘free-for-all’.
- Reproduction - reproduction of the next generation, without which society could not continue.
- Socialisation - Socialisation of the young into society’s shared norms and values.
- Economic - meeting its members’ economic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter.
How is emotional security in adults best achieved?
Through marital relationship and parenting roles.
What is marital relationship?
Males perform an instrumental role = the provider and females perform an expressive role = emotional needs, caring/supportive
What is parenting roles?
Emotional release, parents have fun with their children to have a break from adulthood.
What do critics say about parsons theory?
Children dont always listen to parents.
Having children can cause stress.
Gender roles - interchangeable (dad may stay at home instead)
Parsons argues that the family has gone through a process of ‘specialisation and structural differentiation’:
1) what does this mean?
2) what are 4 institutions that have taken over functions previously performed by families?
1) it means that society develops and becomes in increasingly complex, institutions specialise in fewer functions.
2) education, GP(NHS), counselling, supermarkets.
