Functionalists And New Right Theories

Question 1

Social institutions

Answer 1

(Family, education, religion, media)

Perform specific functions thus maintaining harmony in society

Question 2

Organic analogy

Answer 2

This comparison that functionalists make between social institutions and how the body works with how society works is called the organic analogy

Question 3

Value consensus

Answer 3

These are norms and values shared by society’s members and they ensure harmony and peace in society

Question 4

Social solidarity

Answer 4

Refers to peace and harmony in society. Therefore, family, as a social institution, plays a crucial function in maintaining the value consensus and social solidarity

Question 5

Benefits of the functions of the family

Answer 5

1) sexual/ reproductive
Individual-we’re born
Society-creates new members, regulates sexual activity of adults
2) educational/ primary socialisation
I- basic skills - what to say and what not to say - we learn how to behave appropriately
S- maintains social order/value consensus
3) stabilising adult personalities
I- we receive love, affection and have someone to turn to
S- maintain social order/social solidarity/value consensus
4) economic
I- financial support of children and the elderly
S- the family is a major consumer

Question 6

Criticisms

Answer 6

Sociologists: Murdock and parsons
Reproductive - DINKS choose to have no children, increase in the number of births outside marriage
Sexual/stabilisation of adult personalities - There is domestic and child abuse within a nuclear families as well as infidelity. The state had taken over many of the functions (NHS)
Educational/Primary socialisation - The family still carries out primary socialisation, but state agencies have also got involved (nurseries)
Economic - The family is no longer a unit of production, but is a major consumer