Functionalist- Role of Ed

Question 1

Parsons

Functional fit

Answer 1

Functional Fit
-Pre industrial, extended, many functions
-Modern, nuclear, fewer functions (geographical + socially mobile workforce)

Industrial needs
-Geographically mobile workforce
-Socially mobile workforce

1955

Y+W- pre industial family was nuclear

Question 2

Parsons

Loss of functions

Answer 2

Loss of Functions
-Pre industrial multi functional unit (consumption + production)
-Industrialisation meant family has changed structure and lost functions
-Specialises in two irreducible functions Primary socialisation, personality stabilisation

1955

Question 3

Murdock

Answer 3

4 functions
-Sexual- prevent ‘free for all’
-Reproductive- population stabilisation
-Educational- socialisation
-Economic- unit of onsumption

1949

Fem + Marx- rose tinted view, ignores female oppression, class inequality

Question 4

Traditional gender roles

Answer 4

Parsons
-Instrumental + expressive
Bott
-Joint and seggregated
Both agree there is a clear biological divide, roles best done seperated