functionalist perspective Flashcards
what are mudock (1949) 4 essential functions that a family perform
1) sexual- stable the satisfaction of the sex drive with same panther not creating social disruption “free-for-all”
2) repuduction- having the next generation- without id society will not continue
3) socialisation- the new generation is shared into the norms and values of the society
4) economic- providing financial resoures.e.g. food, clothes and shelter
5) after critics added another one emotion- families look out for each other. if want a stable society then every individual need to be cared
what is a parsons “functional fit theory” (1955)
families will change its structure and functions to fit the new changes in the society
e.g. when society changed from a traditional pre- industrial to a modern industrial
what did parsons state on how a family will change in two levels
structural changes; change of the family structure e.g. in C18 families became nuclear instead of extended easier to move around during industrialisation
industrial society have two essential needs (structural change part two)
1) geographically mobile work force- easier for compact two generational nuclear family to move around than extended
2) socially mobile workforce- tensions and conflicts would emerge if younger gen had higher status than parents
parsons other part to this theory
functional changes; evolution of society goes through the process specialisation and structural differentiation
means society have fewer functions as it can be specialisation in other institutions- families have cut down on that
*good thing- society has become more specialised agency.
what does primary socialisation of children mean
children personalities are structured by the society culture
children absorb norms and values of society till they are moulded in the terms of the central value system of society
what does stabilisation of adult mean
once personality has been established it needs to remain stable
adult need emotional security the best way to achieve this is having a martial relationship and parenting roles
