Functionalist view on education

Question 1

What are Murdock’s 4 function of the family

Answer 1

> Socialisation
Reproduction
sex
Economic

Question 2

What family type to functionalist focus on

Answer 2

The nuclear family

Question 3

What are criticisms towards Murdock’s 4 functions

Answer 3

> One criticism is that others would argue that other institutions or other family types are just as capable of carrying out these functions.
Another criticism is that he ignores the conflict views of the family – such as domestic abuse

Question 4

Parsons’ 2 functions in the family

Answer 4

> socialisation

> Stabilisation of adult personalities “Warm bath theory”

Question 5

What is parsons functionalist fit theory

Answer 5

> The functions a family performs takes the shape depending on the kind of society it is in.
The family is now more Geographically & Socially mobile.
- because the nuclear family is smaller and easier to move to cities.
- Status is now more easily achieved in modern society it is no longer ascribed but achieved.

Question 6

What are the criticisms towards Parsons’ 2 functions of the family

Answer 6

Parsons has been criticised for not acknowledging how the family may be negative.
E.G domestics violence - women are the ‘takers of shit’