theories of the family - functionalist Flashcards
do functionalists think the family is good for society?
yes, it benefits family members and society as a whole.
how does the family produce social cohesion and consensus in society?
by passing down shared norms and values.
what are Murdock’s 4 functions of the family?
reproductive, economic, educational, sexual.
AO3 of Murdock/Parsons?
family IS a social construct, for example the Na tribe in China, there is no marriage. brothers + sisters raise children.
6 features of the family in pre-industrial times?
traditional extended, no welfare state, ascribed status, mutual aid organisation, unit of production ( grew and made all products), no housewife or breadwinner role.
what are Parsons’ two leaders called?
instrumental ( breadwinner) and expressive ( nurturing, dependent, housewife).
why does Parsons think smaller families prevent conflict between roles?
if grandad was a cleaner and grandson was a lawyer, who gets status? older or smarter? smaller families prevents this tension.
Why is nuclear family now more isolated?
other institutions are taking over. this is structural differentiation.
AO3 - functions of family.
economic - gov benefits
welfare - NHS
socialisation - media and school
reproductive - IVF
sexual - sex workers.
What are Parsons’ remaining family functions?
primary socialisation of children and the stabilisation of adult personalities.
what is the primary socialisation of children?
learning norms and values, creating value consensus. moulds children’s personalities in terms of society’s culture.
who talks about the human personality factory?
Parsons.
explain the stabilisation of adult personalities.
warm bath theory - emotional security of married couple provides relief of problems in life. sense of belonging.
who is warm bath theory particularly important for?
husband - work pressures.
what does a geographically mobile workforce allow for?
men to follow work opportunities. meeting needs of economy. conflict can be avoided between extended family.
AO3 of family (feminists) ?
reject idea of gender roles being natural, transmits patriarchal views, ignores DV and child abuse.
AO3 of family (marxists) ?
norms and values transmitted only support capitalism.
AO3 of family (post modern) ?
primary socialisation is now influenced by media, eg TV and social media.
AO3 - 3 strengths of functionalist views of family?
shows how institutions such as family and education are connected and interdependent.
almost all societies have variations of nuclear fam - must be positive.
many people desire to live in nuclear families.
what has the loss of certain family functions resulted in?
remaining ones being more important.
