functionalists view of the family

Question 1

murdock - sexual

Answer 1

• says the family ensures adult sexual r/a are controlled and acceptable.
• this means that there will only be stable sexual monogamous r/s

Question 2

murdock - reproduction

Answer 2

• the biological reproductive system of the next generation and without it society cannot continue

Question 3

murdock - socialisation

Answer 3

• says the family need to socialise the next generation in order for them to be fully integrated into society and they stay social.

Question 4

murdock - economic

Answer 4

• says the family meets the needs of the economy - producing food and shelter for eg.

Question 5

parson - socialisation

Answer 5

• agrees with murdock in which the family is essential in the primary socialisation processes.

Question 6

parson - stability of adult personalities

Answer 6

• refers to the emotional security which is achieved within a marital relationship between two adults.

Question 7

Parson - Best Fit Theory

Answer 7

• says that the nuclear family is not universal and that the structure of the family changes as the needs of society changes.
• says pre industrial families are extended and had many family living together, whereas post industrial families needed to be geographically mobile.

Question 8

parsons - structural differentiation

Answer 8

• says that some functions identified by Murdock has been moved on to other institutions such as the economic function which has been taken by the welfare state and NHS

Question 9

Evaluation

Answer 9

• down plays the role of conflict in the family.
  the family is not always the safe and warm place suggested by parson

Question 10

Evaluation

Answer 10

• out of date
• today women go to work and the biological roles set by Parson no longer apply

Question 11

Evaluation

Answer 11

• Assumes that the members of society automatically take on the norms and values.