Murdock vs Parsons: lesson 9 Flashcards
1
Q
What family functions does Murdock believe in
A
- economic needs
- education
- reproductive
- sexual
2
Q
What functions does Parsons believe
A
- primary socialisation
- stabilisation of adult personality
3
Q
What does Parsons believe about families?
A
- family has lost its functions as we’ve moved from agricultural to industrial societies
4
Q
What does Murdock believe about families
A
- nuclear family is universal
5
Q
Similarities between Murdock and Parsons
A
- both functionalists
- nuclear family is positive
- individuals are passive
- structuralists
6
Q
Criticisms of functionalist view
A
- dated
- gender roles are socially constructed
- idealistic view of family
7
Q
Murdock criticisms
A
- nuclear family isn’t universal
- Nayar tribe
- Kibbutz
8
Q
What are Lasletts criticism of Parsons?
A
- Examined church records from pre-industrial society
- Nuclear family predates industrial society
- Only 10% of households included extended kin
- Nuclear family aren’t as common as Parson said
9
Q
What are Young & Willmotts criticisms of Parsons?
A
- Conducted research with 2500 individuals & found symmetrical family was the norm by end of 20th century
- Industrialisation led to increase in leisure time for men & women which is spent together
- This leads to sharing of tasks and responsibility for earning income
- March of progress
10
Q
What’s Fletchers criticisms on Parsons?
A
- Family serves 3 functions:
1) Sexual & emotional needs of parents
2) Socialisation of children in stable environment
3) Stable home - Family unit of consumption
- Nuclear family essential to healthy economy
