Key family terms and functionalist perspective on the role of the family Flashcards
What is a household?
A group of people who live together, but may not have family or kinship ties.
Define family:
A type of household in which the people living together are related.
What are the 5 main types of family?
- Nuclear.
- Traditional extended family.
- Attenuated extended family.
- Single parent families.
- Reconstituted families.
What is a nuclear family?
Two generations living together. (Mother and father dependent children).
What is a Traditional extended family?
- Three generations of the same family living together or close by.
- With frequent contact between grandparents, cousins, grandchildren, aunts, etc.
what is a Attenuated extended family?
Nuclear families that live apart from their extended family, but keep in regular contact.
What does a single parent family consist of?
A single parent and their dependent children.
What is a reconstituted family?
A stepfamily, created when parts of two previous families are brought together.
Give an example of what a reconstituted family could comprise of.
Two new former partners, and their children from different relationships.
What do Functionalists think about family in society?
- They highlight the positive role of the family in society.
- Believe it is essential to the smooth running of society.
Murdock (1949) believed…
The family is so useful, that it is inevitable and universal.
What did Murdock (1949) find were the four key functions of the family after studying 250 societies in different cultures?
- Sexual.
- Reproductive.
- Economic.
- Educational. (Norms and values.)
What did Talcott Parsons say were the two basic and vital functions of the family in the 1950s?
- Primary socialisation of children.
- Stabilises adult personalities through the emotional relationship the two adults have. (It is a sanctuary from the everyday stresses of family life.
What type of sociologist was Murdock?
Functionalist.
What type of sociologist was Talcott Parsons?
Functionalist.
