Functionalist theory of the family

Question 1

Functionalists see society as a “biological organism” Define this:

Answer 1

Different parts (institutions) work together harmoniously, if one part fails, the rest does

Question 2

What are Murdocks 4 functions of the family?

Answer 2

1. Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
2. Reproduction of the next generation
3. Socialisation of the young
4. Meeting its members economic needs

Question 3

Give 4 criticisms for Murdock’s 4 functions theory/ theory of the family

Answer 3

1. Feminists- criticise mother being at home with the kids (father could be too)
2. Feminists- Murdock promotes the family as serving the needs of men
3. Marxists- Ignores the influence of capitalism in reproducing the next generation of workers
4. Criticised for “rose tinted” viewpoint about work

Question 4

What did Fletcher say about families in a pre-industrial society?

Answer 4

• Family cared more about livestock than children
• increases functions
• aids economic growth- family consuming goods
• family have moved from a unit of production to unit of consumption

Question 5

What are Parsons 2 “irreducible” functions of the family?

Answer 5

1. Primary socialisation
2. Stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 6

What is Parsons’s idea of “primary socialisation?”

Answer 6

• Families taught children basic skills and norms-> reinforced so they fit into wider society

Question 7

What is Parsons’s idea about “stabilisation of adult personalities?”

Answer 7

• “Warm bath theory”- family provides emotional security for its members (men come home from work- women “take the shit”
• Adults endulge in childish tendencies through interacting with their children-> stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 8

According to Parsons, how have we “lost functions” since a pre-industrial society?

Answer 8

Pre/ industrial= family was “multi-functional”, self sufficient, resourceful
-> industrialisation-> family turned to nuclear

Question 9

What is Parsons’s functional fit theory?

Answer 9

Pre- industrial society= close knit families worked together
Industrial society (1850s-1880s)= family became nuclear
- men went out to work, women stayed out home + no longer equal

Question 10

What is a social mobile workforce?

Answer 10

• being able to move up a social hierarchy

Question 11

How did Young and Willmott criticise Parsons theory of the family?

Answer 11

• Pre industrial society- families were not extended but nuclear, parents worked together in cottage industries

Question 12

How does Peter Lesley criticise Parsons’s theory of the family?

Answer 12

• Pre/industrial society= nuclear families were prevalent- late child birth, and low life expectancy meant many grand parents were not around to see the birth of their first grandchild