functionalist theory 2F Flashcards
who are the three theorists for functionalism in the family
- Talcott Parsons
- George Murdock
- Ronald Fletcher
what is the ideal family type according to functionalism
Nuclear family
what changes occured as a result of industrilisation
- created a geographically mobile workforce
- nuclear families form as people moved away from their extended kin
what two roles do they family specialize in according to parsons
- primary socialisation
- stabilisation of adult personalities
explain primary socialisation
children are socialised into the norms and values of society in the family
the stabilisation of adult personalities
- parsons likens the family to a warm bath
- the idea that the famioly relieves the stresses and strains of everyday life
what is the instrumental leader
the male who earns the income
what is expressive leader
- the female - provides a caring and nurturing role
- raises the children
what are the 4 key functions George Murdock believes the family performs
- stable satisfaction of sex drive
- reproduction of the next generation
- socialisation of the young
- meeting the economic stress of its members
what are the 3 essential functions the family performs according to fletcher
- stable satisfaction of sex drive
- production and rearing of children
- provision of a home
what are the 6 non essential functions that the family performs according to fletcher
- government
- economic
- education
- health
- religious
- recreation
Strengths of functionalism
- clear recognition of important values in holding society together
- shows the way the family can work at both the indiviudal and societal level
- stresses the importance of the imporance of the family in socialising children
criticims of functionalism
