Functionalist View Of The Family

Question 1

Functionalist view of the family

Answer 1

That the family is one of the corner stones of society.It performs essential functions which support social stability and social cohesion

Question 2

Universal nuclear family

Answer 2

A family that consists of two generations,parents and children and Murdock believes that this family type exists all over the world and is the best type of family

Question 3

Social institutions

Answer 3

The structure in society which influence behaviour such as the family education media and religion

Question 4

Functions of the family Murdock sexual

Answer 4

Ensures that adult sexual relationships are controlled and socially acceptable.This meant stable monogamous heterosexual relationships

Question 5

Functions of the family Murdock:reproduction

Answer 5

The biological reproduction of the next generation without which society cannot continue

Question 6

Functions of the family Murdock:socialisation

Answer 6

Socialisation of the young-teaching basic norms and values so that the next generation are fully integrated into society and maintain the social

Question 7

Functions of the family Murdock:economic

Answer 7

Meeting its members economic needs-producing food and shelter for example

Question 8

Parsons internal criticism:best fit theory

Answer 8

Nuclear family is not universal,the structure of the family changes as the needs of the society changes.Pre industrial families were extended families with multiple generations living together,where as post industrial familles needed to be geographically mobile and therefore became isolated nuclear families

Question 9

Parsons internal criticisms:structural differentiation

Answer 9

Some functions of the family as identified by Murdock have moved to other institutions for example the economic function has been taken on by the welfare state and the NHS

Question 10

Functions of the family Parsons :socialisation

Answer 10

Agrees with Murdock that the family is essential in the primary socialisation process and ensuring that each generation are.

Question 11

Functions of the family Parsons : stabilisation of adult personalities

Answer 11

The stabilisation of adult personalities refer to the emotional security which is achieved within a marital relationship between two adults
Parsons believes that working life in industrial society is stressful and the family is a place where the working man can destress also known as the warm bath theory

Question 12

Evaluation

Answer 12

• downplays the role of conflict
• out of date
• deterministic
• ignores family diversity