Theories of the family : Functionalism Marxism Flashcards
Functions of the family
Sociologists are interested in the role and purpose of the family and how it fits in to wider society
Sociologists often ask What are the functions of the family?
There are many different perspectives on this Including functionalism and marxism
Functionalism - a consensus perspective
Functionalist view is the view that society is a system of interrelated and interdependent units (institutions)
E.g. Education Family Government Media Etc.
These units are held together by a shared value consensus - a shared idea of how society should be
This shared value consensus is maintained by our socialisation into the shared norms and values of society This socialisation helps to meet society needs and goals
Different spheres perform different functions which allow society to operate E.g. Education teaches members Family cares for members This is similar to the body all of the organs working together This idea is called the ‘organic analogy’
Functionalist George Murdock 1949 study
George Murdock say family performs four major functions SEER functions
S - Sexual - Stable satisfaction of sex drive Between partner and wife Prevents adultery
E - Education - Primary socialisation of the young Teaching of shared norms and values
E - Economic - Meeting members economic needs Dad breadwinner brings home money
R - Reproduction - Creating a family reproduction of the next generation
Criticisms of Murdock
Marxists and feminists (conflict view) would say Murdock harmonious, consensus view of the family is ‘rose tinted’ Ignores the negatives of the family such as exploitation and conflict
Marxists argue the family exists to serve the needs of capitalism
Feminists argue the family exists the serve the needs of the patriarchy
Functionalist Talcott Parsons 1955 study
Parsons built on work of Murdock
Parsons believed that the functions that the family performs will depend on the kind of society it is found in and the functions that the family has to perform will affect its shape and structure
Parsons identified two types of family structure and two types of society
Types of family structure Parsons
- The nuclear family Heterosexual parents and dependent children
- The extended family 3 generations (grandparents) living together under one roof
Types of society Parsons
- Pre-industrial Where we find extended family
- Modern industrial Where we find nuclear family
Explanation Parsons Functional fit theory
As Britain industrialised from late 1800s onwards The extended family gave way to the nuclear family as the most popular family type
Different society = different needs = different family structures needed
Nuclear family ‘fits’ the needs of Modern industrial society
Extended family ‘fits’ the needs of Pre-industrial society
This is called functional fit theory
Traditional pre-industrial society
Extended family was dominant family type
People lived in the same villages and worked on the same land Often for their whole lives
The extended family lived and worked together They supported each other serving the functions of Caring for the young and elderly, Educating family members, Looking after the home, Collecting food Etc.
Generations living together may have caused conflict
It is more difficult to move an extended family into another village So many people to uproot
Modern industrial society
Nuclear family is dominant family type
People need to move to where the jobs are due to industrialisation The nuclear family less people Easier to uproot than the extended family
Nuclear family is best suited for social mobility as children move out of home when they marry and form their own nuclear families - In extended families son would fulfill same work roles as their fathers The father was head of household No competition Now some sons have better jobs than fathers Extended families would have competition Nuclear family where older son moves out prevents this
The nuclear family sees a loss of functions of the family E.g. No longer work together Loss of functions to institutions E.g. Health services - caring for each other Schools - education
Parsons Nuclear family mobility
Parsons talked about the needs of these different types of societies and how the family needs to adapt to these needs Which the nuclear family achieves well
- A geographically mobile workforce - The compact nuclear family is ideal for moving around to work It is not rooted to farmland
- A socially mobile workforce - Individuals now acquire their status based on achievement This is a meritocracy (Industrial) In the past status was ascribed at birth by the status of your father (Pre-industrial) The nuclear family prevents conflicts in the family home E.g. Son having a higher status than his father at work Competition
Parsons Nuclear family irreducible functions
Parsons say although there has been a loss of functions of the family due to industrialisation and the move to the nuclear family The family does still perform two irreducible functions According to Parsons
- The primary socialisation of children - Equipping them with the basic skills and society values (Norms and values) To enable them to cooperate with others and begin to integrate into society when they start school Around age 4
- The stabilisation of adult personalities - Adults can relax, support each other and release tensions within the family This allows them to return to the workplace refreshed This is functional for the efficiency of the economy
Evidence against Parsons
Other sociologists and historians have produced evidence that contradicts Parsons claims of ‘functional fit’ between the extended family and pre-industrial society and the nuclear family and modern industrial society
Was the extended family dominant in pre-industrial society? Evidence against Parsons
Young and Willmott 1973 say the pre-industrial family was nuclear Not extended as Parsons claims Parents and children worked together in cottage industries such as weaving
Peter Laslett 1972 study of English households 1564 to 1821 Found they were almost always nuclear A combination of late childbearing and short life expectancy meant grandparents often did not live very long after the birth of their first grandchild
