Functionlist theories of the family

Question 1

What does Murdock say the four functions of the universal nuclear family are

Answer 1

Murdock:
-nuclear family is universal(most common family type)+best family type for society
Sexual function:married couple should have a romantic, physical relationship with one another.Important as maintains close bond between couple->prevents conflict
-Benefits society as less likely to have a divorce and no single parenthood-> so don’t need welfare state
Reproductive function:only married couples should raise children->makes family complete
-womens role as a caregiver is only fulfilled by having children
-Benefits society as more workers for the future
Socialisation:only nuclear family can teach children appropriate norms and values of society because it is the most stable
-gives parents a role to play by ensuring their children are raised in the right way
-Benefits society as maintains social order as they are socialised into the correct norms and values.Married couples are also more likely to promote value consensus(children have the same norms and values as everyone else in society)
Economic function:Family ought to be able to be responsible for providing its own essential needs by earning money and spending it on resources
-role done by father (breadwinner)
-ensures family is stable and comfortable
-benefits society as overall economic system runs smoothly

Question 2

Evaluation of Murdocks theory

Answer 2

• Although nuclear family is common, it isn’t the norm everywhere e.g extended families, single parenthood etc
• Ignores problems in nuclear families e.g poor parenting, domestic abuse
• Most families can perform all functions

Question 3

What does Parsons say the two functions of the functional fit family are?

Answer 3

Parsons:
-disagrees with Murdock saying the nuclear family is universal but it is functional fit families (what a typical family looks like+what functions it will play)
-nuclear family didn’t emerge until industrial era
-Before 1700s people lived in extended units and the family was responsiblefor a range of functions E.G caring for elderly,raising children, maintaining the household etc.
-Industrialisaion era society changed.People moved into towns and cities for work employment meaning geographical mobility(changing location for economic purposes) became important->led to nuclear family
-structural differential (as industrialisation occurred hr family begins to lose its functions) E.G healthcare, education etc
Primary socialisation:parents responsible for raising their children into the correct norms and values of society.Also teach them behavioural codes of their gender
Stablisation of adult personalities:once adults are married with children they are encouraged to be more responsible.Women becomes expressive leader-in charge for the provision of care+domestic care and the men becomes the breadwinner- responsible for providing for the family
-Family is also described as a warm bath(adults can relieve their stress of the day and relax)

Question 4

Evaluation of Parsons

Answer 4

• it is unlikely that in the past people lived in extended families due to poor health+sanitation and life expectancy was low
• Some would argue that families today have more roles to play than fewer E.G more economic+caring functions
• Functions described can be reformed by non nuclear families and even other institutions e.g work

Question 5

Why does Fletcher say there is a Increased responsibility of the nuclear families?

Answer 5

Fletcher:

• disagrees with parsons theory
  1. Does not believe families in the past performed more duties to meet needs of family members.Pat family life was stressful,abusive and neglectful of children.Families struggled with poverty+infectious disease.Due to poor sanitation and underdeveloped medicine and infant mortality rate(death of children under 1) were common.Parents didn’t invest emotionally with children
  2. process of structural differentiation and advancement of institutions e.g education, healthcare has led to families having more responsibilities.
• parents are under pressure to provide a supportive+loving environment for their children upbringing
• peple today live longer so families will have people who require care
• women enter the workforce have more responsible such as domestic care and acting as the breadwinner

Question 6

Evaluation of fletcher

Answer 6

• family life wasn’t all bad e.g marriage was taken very seriously and children were very respectful
• family life is a lot better today as we now have access to free education+free health care and protective laws
• familys are supported by a range of institutions