Functionalist View Flashcards
Parson’s Warm Bath Theory
Parsons compared the characteristics of the nuclear family to the feeling of getting in a warm bath. The nuclear family performs two irreducible functions: stabilisation of adult personalities and socialisation of the young which allows people to functioning members society.
Parson’s two irreducible functions:
Primary socialisation- parents teaching shared norms + values, emotional and physical support. Mothers are extremely maternal towards their children which allows the children to feel loved and cared for (fulfils their needs).
Stabilisation of adult personalities- supporting each other mentally and physically; for example, when the man is coming home from work, usually the woman will have dinner prepared, the house warm and smelling nice- this would help to relieve the man from the stress he may have experienced at work which therefore makes a happier and better functioning household.
Post modernists critiques to the functionalist view (2)
Post modernists would critique the functionalist view due to the nuclear family no longer being as prevalent- their view is ignorant to family diversity and other families which do not perform these functions (which may be due to cultural differences, for example it is known that mothers in Japan and Germany can act quite distant towards their child because their culture value independence) or do still perform these functions (the nuclear family is not necessary to perform these functions and other family types can still perform the functions without being a nuclear family).
Ignores that often within nuclear families, parents may not fulfil these functions and roles. Members in nuclear families may still be subject to domestic violence, mental, physical, verbal abuse and neglect.
Feminists critiques to the functionalist view
Radical feminists argue that women who fulfil the roles of the family are oppressed to the private sphere due to the patriarchal control of men, they would argue the nuclear family breeds patriarchal ideologies
Difference feminists would argue the functionalist view ignores multiculturalism, the explanation does not explore how different cultures teach different norms and values. We live in a multicultural society therefore each family may teach their children different norms and values to each other which obviously would not create a consensus.
Durkheim
Believed family acts as a vital organ in maintaining social structure and order.
Without the family acting as one of the vital organs, society would be in a state of anomie (chaos).
Family act as a tool to create a general consensus.
Murdock: 4 Functions of the Family
- Satisfaction of the sex drive
- Biological reproduction
- Socialisation of the young
- Economic strength
What is the Functional Fit Theory?
The Functional Fit Theory refers to the way in which family size has altered to meet the societal and economic needs of Britain.
Family size changed when British society moved from the pre-industrial revolution to the post-industrial revolution.
What were the characteristics of the Pre-Industrial Revolution?
Agricultural economy (farming was the main industry and employment along with the mining industry) harsh living conditions, no technology, no mode of transport, no cities/urban areas, no entertainment, long exhausted working hours.
What family type did Parsons believe was most fitting for the society of the Pre Industrial Revolution?
Extended family.
Parsons believed that the extended was the most functional and beneficial way to live.
The long working hours meant that the parents would get exhausted so the younger members would then take over. Having a bigger family allowed emotional support and strong, shared norms and values. Life expectancy was lower therefore more children were needed to take care of the older family members and also at some point replace the family members that eventually die.
What were the characteristics of the Post-Industrial Revolution?
Railway and canal systems (used for transporting goods), production in factories, introduction of education for children, establishment of workhouses, urbanization process.
Houses were built closely together in urban areas, next to factories, with entertainment options like theatres, ballrooms, and pubs.
What family type did Parsons believe was the best fitting for the society of the Post-Industrial Revolution?
Nuclear family.
The nuclear family was more geographically mobile than the extended family type (housing was smaller therefore it would be harder to find accommodation to fit an extended family)- this meant that people with nuclear families could move around to take different job opportunities which would then benefit them financially and mentally (socially). People were socialising with each other more (at work and also at entertainment institutions)- this meant that families didn’t need to have as close relationships with extended family members as before.
