Theroies Of Eductaion - Funtionalist Flashcards
What does parsons say about the family
‘FUNCTIONAL FIT’ THEORY :
-The functions of family depend on a kind of society in which it’s found
-Before the industrial revolution, the dominant form was the extended family
-Extended Ken such as grandparents and aunties performed functions like childcare
-The family was a self-sufficient unit
-During the industrial revolution, people move from farms to towns leading from a change from extended to nuclear family
-The isolated nuclear family fit industrial economy due to it geographical mobility and social mobility
-The stay had to take over rolls from the family
-This is called structural differentiation e.g. Healthcare now provided by NHS not family.
Evaluation of Parsons ‘Functional Fit’ theory
Radical psychiatrists argue the nuclear family is actually harmful to its members. The isolated nuclear family is too isolated meaning there’s a lack of support which could lead to conflict in relationships.
Without grandparents, parents may bird and children with adult problems.
What does Murdock say about the functions of Family?
For Murdock, there are four key functions of the family; socialisation, economic, reproduction, sexual regulation.
Socialisation= the family teachers primary socialisation, teaching children society’s basic values helping to integrate them into society.
For example, teachers speech cards , provides a gender role socialisation and canalises children through verbal appellations
Economic = Family 👨👩👧 works as a unit in order to meet basic economic needs of all its members e.g. Food shelter and clothing.
Reproduction = society needs more members therefore the family is a vital institution as through marriage and child bearing it creates new members
Sexual regulation = the family satisfies adult sex drive in a stable manor.
Monogamous marriage gives each partner access to sex and secure relationship preventing social disruption that could be caused by a sexualfree for all.
Evaluation of Murdock’s functions of family
Feminist argue we are socialised into patriarchs and values for example Dad his head of house preparing for male dominated society. Therefore, his view is gender bind.
Post mods would argue as outdated as childbearing is now a matter of choice and no longer requires a nuclear family due to surrogacy and sperm donors.
What do you functionalists say about sexual division of labour?
-parsons also argues the families is responsible for stabilisation of adult personalities
-The family is a place where adults come relax, allowing them to feel refreshed and continue to be economically productive
-Family 👨👩👧 is a safety valve
-This is achieved for the sexual division of labour. The male breadwinner works to provide a family which causes stress and could stabilise it but the worst expressive role means his stresses relieved.
-The family act of warm bath
Evaluation of the sexual division of labour
Functionalist, ignore the dark side of the family
Such as conflicts and child abuse. Therefore far from soothing aches and pains. These bums may even have a harmful facts on wider society.
Therefore, functionalists lack explanatory reach
