Key Studies: Functionalist Perspective

Question 1

Murdock (1949)

Answer 1

Murdock (1949):
Four functions of the family (found in many different types of society)
-Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
-Reproduction of the next generation
- Socialisation of the young
- Meeting members economic needs

Question 2

Parsons (1955)

Answer 2

Parsons (1955): With industrialisation society has moved from living in extended families to living in nuclear families as this allows society to have a geographically mobile workforce. Since this shift there has been a loss of functions and there are now two.
Two functions of the family
-Primary socialisation of children
-Stabilisation of adult personality