Functionalist theories of the family

Question 1

What does a functionalist believe about society?

Answer 1

A functionalist believe society as a super system and each part has a different role to play and if one does play its role then society will fail

Question 2

Organic analogy

Answer 2

Belief that society is much like the organs in the body and all parts are needed to keep the body healthy

Question 3

What does George murdock say?

Answer 3

That the family is a universal institution with universal functions and the functions are vital for the well being of society

Question 4

What are murdocks 4 functions of the family?

Answer 4

Sexual function - satisfaction of the sex drive with the same partner preventing social disruption
Economic function - meeting its members economic needs such as food and shelter
Reproductive function - reproduction of the next generation without which could not continue
Educational function - socialisation of the young into societys shared norms and value which reduce conflict

Question 5

What is a value consensus?

Answer 5

A value consensus is the idea that if we make the young familiar with the norms of society then it will reduce conflict

Question 6

What is socialisation?

Answer 6

The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society

Question 7

Criticisms of murdock

Answer 7

• out of date/ old fashioned
• other types of families are just as good
• marxists believe it benefits capitalisms
• feminists believe the burden is still on women and mens needs are the ones that are satisfied

Question 8

What are talcott parsons 2 functions?

Answer 8

-Primary socialisation - equip children with basic skills and societys values to enable them to cooperate with others, allows them to avoid conflict
- Stabilisation of Adult Personalities - family is a place where adults can relax and release tensions enabling them to return to the workplace refreshed
‘warm bath theory’

Question 9

What are functions?

Answer 9

Functions are what sociologists believe that the family should do in order to make society work

Question 10

Why were there a loss of 2 functions?

Answer 10

Parsons believed that society had become industrialised and the family has become nuclear so as a result the family came to specialise in two irreducible functions that can’t be performed by anyone other than the family

Question 11

Criticisms of Parsons 2 functions

Answer 11

Feminists argue that the family is negative for women eg decision making, domestic abuse, dual burden
Marxists believe it supports capitalism