Functions of the Family

Question 1

Who came up with the four functions of the family?

Answer 1

Murdock (reflecting Durkheim’s views)

Question 2

What four essential functions does the family perform for society?

Answer 2

1. Stable satisfaction of the sex drive, preventing the social disruption that would come about from a sexual free-for-all
2. Reproduction of the next generation, without which society could not continue
3. Socialisation of the young into the norms and values of society
4. Meeting its member’s economic needs such as food and shelter

Question 3

What is a key criticism of Murdock’s ideas?

Answer 3

He argues the nuclear family is best at performing the functions of the family but critics would argue that other family structures are just as functional at performing these functions as the nuclear family.

Question 4

According to functionalists what is the most functional family structure?

Answer 4

The nuclear family

Question 5

According to Parsons, why did family structure change?

Answer 5

When society moved from a pre-industrial society to a modern industrial society, the needs of society changed.

Question 6

Why did the family lose many of its functions after industrialisation?

Answer 6

Industrialisation resulted in new agencies emerging that provided the essential functions for society, e.g. the education system was established to ensure the family gained an adequate education.

Question 7

How did the family become more specialised after industrialisation?

Answer 7

It provided less functions than before which meant that the family became better at providing the small amount of functions they now provide.

Question 8

What are some of the specialised functions the family now provides according to Parsons?

Answer 8

1. The primary socialisation of children - families are factories which produce human personalities and children’s personalities are structured through the internalisation of their society’s culture. They absorb the norms and values of society until they become part of him/her.
2. Stabilisation of adult personalities - adults need emotional security and the family helps to stabilise an already established personality.

Question 9

How does the family stabilise adult personalities?

Answer 9

Marital relationship - gender roles are clearly defined and complementary. The male role is: instrumental, doer, provider, and the female role is: expressive, emotional and nurturing.
Parental role - a cathartic role and it provides emotional release through being childish and having time off.