functionalist theory of family ✅

Question 1

how do functionalists view society

Answer 1

-consensus view of society
-Play a role in maintaining consensus and working towards a harmonious state
- dysfunction in one area will have an effect on others

Question 2

according to functionalists, what is the purpose of the family?

Answer 2

• benefit both it’s members and society as a whole
  -plays a dominant role in making individuals feel part of a wider society
  -The family is seen as meeting the needs of individuals for emotional satisfaction, social support, identity and security

Question 3

what did murdock’s research entail?

Answer 3

-compared over 250 societies
-claimed that the nuclear family is universal
-performed 4 basic functions

Question 4

what are the 4 functions of the family according to Murdock?

Answer 4

• Reproductive
  -economic
  -educational/socialisation
  -Sexual

Question 5

describe reproduction as a function of the family

Answer 5

-produces the next generation
-It’s tradition, norms and values
-Benefit society—> needs new members in order to survive

Question 6

A03 of reproduction as a function of the family

Answer 6

• other types of families, such as blended and single parents are now accepted

Question 7

describe economic as a function of the family

Answer 7

-economically active in order to support kids
-Family is a valuable unit of consumption for the economy
-Children eventually become economically active

Question 8

A03 of economic as a function of the family

Answer 8

-other institutions can help fund families e.g. FSM, PP, food bank..

Question 9

define educational/socialisation as a function of the family

Answer 9

-Family = primary socialisation
-Teaches us morals + values
-Intergenerational education, passes on norms and values —> This maintains value, consensus and social harmony

Question 10

A03 for educational/socialisation as a function of the family

Answer 10

-Other institutes, such as schools and media and religion, educate and socialise you

Question 11

define sexual as a basic function of the family

Answer 11

-Adults within a family can have the basic sexual needs met
-Marriage provides appropriate outlet for sexual appetites
-Encourages fidelity and sets ground rules for appropriate sexual behaviour

Question 12

AO3 of sexual as a function of the family

Answer 12

-Contraception has been created
-Therefore, no fear of nonmarital children
-Homosexuality is now more widely accepted

Question 13

what was parsons ‘fit theory’

Answer 13

• argues in western societies, the state provided education and could provide an economic function
• however, family still had two irreducible functions- 1)primary socialisation 2) stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 14

describe Parson’s primary socialisation as a function of the family

Answer 14

• families exist to socialise children
  -mold child’s personality to fit the needs of society
• internalisation if the societal culture —> this ensures value consensus is maintained

Question 15

A03 of primary socialisation as a function of the family

Answer 15

• other socialising agents; not just family eg. school, media
• children are socialised in different ways

Question 16

describe stabilisation of adult personalities as a function of the family

Answer 16

• adults need emotional security and a source of release from the stresses of modern life
• emotional support of partners
• chance to indulge in childish behaviour helps provide support
• prevents stress from overwhelming the individual and threatening the stability of society

Question 17

why does industrial society need a geographically mobile work force

Answer 17

• mean the isolated family unit could move to urban areas

Question 18

why does industrial society need a socially mobile workforce

Answer 18

• in pre-industrial society, childs status would be ascribed by social class of father
• during industrialisation, social mobility was able to take place as children could move away from the family business and seek independent employment

Question 19

what are the two principles underlying functionalist theories

Answer 19

-the nuclear family is both the dominant and desirable model + best designed to fulfil the functions required of the family
-the family is a healthy structure beneficial for all family members and society as a whole

Question 20

what are some A03 points of the functionalist view of the family

Answer 20

-fletcher disagrees with Parsons–> function of family has actually increased
-postmodernists accuse funtionalists of being out of date
-feminists argue their view is too idealistic
-Ansley criticises warm bath theory

Question 21

what is an overall A03 of the functionalist view regarding Fletcher

Answer 21

• Fletcher disagrees with Parsons’ view that the modern nuclear family has undergone structural differentiation and lost its pre-industrial functions
• if anything, functions of family have increased in the modern world
  eg: family provide care for children –> helps NHS
  -Evans and Chandler–> homes are furnished with tech= family unit is important consumer

Question 22

what is an overall A03 of the functionalist view of the family regarding postmodernists

Answer 22

• functionalists are out of date and too conservative
• social attitudes + laws have change since the 1950s

Question 23

what is an overall A03 of the functionalist view regarding feminists

Answer 23

• feminists criticise functionalists for their idealistic view
• family life is unequal and oppressive towards women
• domestic division of labour
• triple shift
  -Delphy and Leonard–> women are exploited, particularly in housework
  men benefit from this exploitation

Question 24

what is an overall A03 point about the functionalist view regarding the marxist-feminist Ansley

Answer 24

• offers different perspective of Parsons’ warm bath theory
• women are the ‘takers of shit’
• men coming home from work may have their stress relieved from their family, but only dumping it on their wives
• links into the dark side of the family