sociology - Families and households

Question 1

what are G P Murdocks views on the function of the family?

Answer 1

Sexual
Economic
Educational
Reproductive

Question 2

what are Talcott Parsons views on the function of the family?

Answer 2

• the family is the main centre of primary socialisation
• “warm Bath” theory - the family works as a way of stabilising adult personalities. In essence reliving the pressures of work and contemporary society just as a bath soothes and relaxes the body.
• the nuclear unit provides the wife and husband with very clear distinct social roles
  - women emotional role
  - men economic welfare

Question 3

criticisms of Murdock and Parsons

Answer 3

• Ethnocentric
• Murdocks view on heterosexual marriage is politically conservitive and not necessarily reflective of our more liberal and diverse modern society.

Murdocks:
reproduction - the size of families have declined since the roles of women have changed and children have become more optional