The Family - Functionalism Flashcards
What is a general functionalist view of society
Theories based on Value consensus
Set of shared norms and values promotes a harmonious society
What did Murdock identify as the 4 main functions of the Family?
Stable satisfaction of sex drive - with the same partner prevented disruption
Reproduction of the next Generation - society could not continue without this
Socialisation of the young - into societies norms and values
Meeting economic needs of members - supporting the young economically
What criticisms are there of Murdock?
Fails to acknowledge that families are a product of culture not biology consequently family relationships and roles take different roles even in the same society
His definition of the family is quite conservative in that it deprives certain members of society family status (homosexual, single)
What did Talcott Parsons say were the 2 ‘basic and irreducible’ functions of the Family
The primary socialisation of children - personalities are made not born, only become social adults by internalise the shared norms and values of society. The family is responsible for this.
The stabilisation of adult personalities - Family relieves the stresses of modern-day life for its adult members. Often called ‘Warm bath theory’ claims that family life ‘stabilises adult personalities’ surrounds the individuals and recharges the battery. Family provide emotional support and security, acts as a safety valve in that it prevents stress.
Give some criticisms of Parsons
Dated model based on 1950’s model
In contemporary society the UK is experiences family diversity- the nuclear family is only one type of family now
Marxist and Feminist criticise for assuming that the family no longer performs an economic function in modern society. Feminists argue women perform unpaid domestic labour.
Parsons paints an over socialised view of children with children being pumped full of culture. Socialisation is two way interaction (pester power) according to internationists
What did Ronald Fletcher contribute to the function of the family
disagreed with parsons that if anything the functions of the family have increased in the modern world
Most families perform crucial welfare and health function.
The family also perform an educational function which goes beyond socialisation
21st century the Family perform vital economic function of consumption. E.g washing machines, cars , ready meals
Outline the function of the family in maintaining social order refer to warm bath theory
Stabilisation of adult personality, provide relief from the stresses of everyday life, acting as a recharge for batteries. Compensates for everyday stresses, provides emotional security needed. Referred to warm bath theory. Typically the wife provides support. This helps maintain social harmony and consensus. Stabilisation of adult personalities maintains social order and consensus
referring to internalising norms and values outline the function of the family in maintaining social order
Primary socialisation of children maintains social order as parents teach children the social norms and values of society in order to maintain social consensus. Children internalise these norms and they become part of their personality and help in becoming conformist citizens. These expectations will later be reinforced by agents of socialisation. Without this value consensus social order and social life would not be possible. moral conscience is also developed in primary socialisation in which children learn right and wrong through positive and negative sanction. All these factors maintain social order and consensus
What did Murdock claim the family were?
Universal (most common type of family found in any society)
What did Murdock argue that these functions were for society?
Basic need for social order in society
How was Murdock criticised?
Interpretivists claimed that Murdock failed to acknowledge that families were a product of culture not biology, therefore families take different forms within the same society
Murdock is conservative in his definition meaning that some members of society are deprived of family status - e.g homosexuals
How does Parsons describe the family?
Isolated nuclear family as families are largely isolated from extended kin
What process did the family undergo in which it lost most of its functions?
Structural differentiation
What aspects of socialisation are performed by the family?
Gender role socialisation - learning the cultural patterns expected of their gender which is regarded as appropriate as masculine or feminine
Social control - the family acts as the moral centre of society with rules on how people should behave (e.g. Sex and sexuality) they set the boundaries allowing a child to develop a moral sense of right or wrong
What type of workforce did Parsons describe the nuclear family as?
Geographically mobile workforce
Socially mobile workforce
