Functionalist persperctives on the family

Question 1

murdock 1949

Answer 1

argues that there are 4 essential functions that meet societys and members needs
says that the nuclear family performs them the best

Question 2

4 functions that meet society needs by the family ; murdock

Answer 2

-stabilise the sex drive
-reproduction of the next generation
-socialising the young
-meet members economic needs

Question 3

criticisms of Murdock

Answer 3

-functions can be done by non nuclear families
-rose tinted and overly harmonious
-feminists say the family benefits men and exploits women
-marxists say the family meet capitalisms needs and not members or society

Question 4

parsons 1955

Answer 4

-argues a functional fit theory where family functions and structure depend on the type of society they are in
-nuclear family parents and dependant children, fits modern industrial society.
-extended family 3 generations under one roof , fots pre industrial society

Question 5

parsons industrial functions

Answer 5

-geographically mobile workforce
-socially mobile workforce

Question 6

geographically mobile workforce

Answer 6

this is where industries rise or decline in different areas or overseas , so people move a lot for work . parsons says the nuclear family is easier to move around and therefore fulfils this function better than the extended family .

Question 7

socially mobile workforce

Answer 7

-society is constantly evolving , so workforces need to be technically skilled and competent,someones status in the force depends on talent /ability , not ascribed status based on family

• parsons says that the nuclear family fulfils this function better because extended families have sons at home (father has higher status) even though at work they are above him . this causes tensions , the nuclear family fixes this as sons move out and form their own socially mobile family

Question 8

loss of functions (parsons )

Answer 8

pre-industrial families were multi- functional , units of production like working together on a family farm and units of consumption like feeding or clothing members.

Question 9

loss of functions (parsons)

Answer 9

even though this family type is more self sufficient , parsons argues that a family changes from extended to nuclear when society industrialises , and ends up loosing some of its functions and is just a unit of consumption . other institutions like schools and health service take over .

Question 10

loss of functions (parsons)

Answer 10

-here ,the nuclear family specialises in 2 essential functions which are
-primary socialisation of children e.g skills and societys values
-stabilising adult personalities e.g family to relax and release tensions in order to go back to work refreshed.