Functionalist perspective of the family

Question 1

Consensus

Answer 1

• A general agreement

* Positive functions

Question 2

Murdock’s 4 universal functions of the family

Answer 2

• Sexual
• Economic
• Educational
• Reproductive

Question 3

Achieved status

Answer 3

A social position attained by a person largely through their own efforts

Question 4

Ascribed status

Answer 4

A social position “assigned” to a person by society without regard for the person’s unique talents or characteristics (inherited)

Question 5

Parsons’ two basic and irreducible functions of the family

Answer 5

• Primary socialisation

* The stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 6

Criticisms of Functionalist views

Answer 6

• Other institutions provide for the roles that the family used to carry out (e.g. schools)
• The family unit doesn’t benefit all members; ignores the inequalities between the segregated conjugal roles
• Other family types have increased in popularity so the ‘male breadwinner’ and ‘female carer’ role have decreased; it doesn’t necessarily affect society or benefit them any more than the typical nuclear family