Topic 1: Functionalism

Question 1

Are functionalists positive or negative about the family for wider society?

Answer 1

They believe it performs a positive function for society, as it maintains social order and stability as well as maintaining the economy.
It’s essential for the smooth running of society.

Question 2

Why do functionalists believe the family is beneficial for individuals?

Answer 2

It provides emotional wellbeing and satisfaction; as well as social support, identity and security.
It is necessary for the personal development of individuals.

Question 3

What does Murdock consistently focus on?

Answer 3

How the family maintains order and stability within society.

Question 4

How many societies did Murdock (1949) study?

Answer 4

250 - he found that some form of the nuclear family existed in all of them.

Question 5

What are Murdock’s 4 functions of the family?

Answer 5

Reproductive.
Sexual.
Educational.
Economic.

Question 6

What does Murdock believe the 4 functions are for?

Answer 6

1. They maintain society’s existence and smooth running.

2. Benefit family members, reinforcing commitment.

Question 7

What is Murdock’s “Reproductive” function?

Answer 7

Societies need new members to continue and flourish.

Children are a symbol of emotional commitment between the parents, stabilising the marital rekationship.

Question 8

What does Murdock mean by the “Sexual” function?

Answer 8

The nuclear family regulates sexual behaviour.
Marital sex is an emotional bond encouraging fidelity and commitment.
It contributes to social order as marriage is a social goal that people strive to attain.

Question 9

What is meant by Murdock’s “Educational” function?

Answer 9

Primary socialisation of children.
Dominant values of society need to be transmitted to children to ensure culture as this is what creates order.
This is beneficial to the individual as they become a well-integrated citizen.

Question 10

What is the “Economic” function of the family?

Answer 10

Having a family creates better workers as it acts as an incentive to work harder.
This benefits the economy, as well as the family (the parent can then provide more for their child).

Question 11

How can Murdock’s focus on familial functions be criticised?

Answer 11

It’s very dated and does not recognise modern changes:

• Reproductive: Birth rate has declined due to change in female attitudes. It is an option, not an obligation.
• Sexual: Pre-marital sex is the norm due to a more secularised society.
• Socialisation: Peer groups and the internet may be more influential than the family.

Question 12

How else can Murdock be criticised, more generally?

Answer 12

1. His definition of nuclear family is ethnocentric - reflective of 1940s America; imposing this “correct” lifestyle on everyone else.
2. Emphasis on heterosexual marriage is politically conservative: right and wrong ways to organise the family.

Question 13

What did Parsons look at, with regards to the family?

Answer 13

He looked at how the family had changed and why the nuclear family had become dominant - he concludes that it was due to the industrial revolution.

Question 14

For Parsons, what were pre-industrial families like?

Answer 14

Close-knit extended families in small farming communities where individuality was subordinated to the needs of the family.
There was a duty and obligation to the extended family.

Question 15

What were the role of pre-industrial families, for Parsons?

Answer 15

1. Functioned as a unit of production - trade with others for things they could not produce.
2. Education: basic skills needed for their role in the family.
3. Maintain health and provide welfare for its members.

Question 16

What did the industrial revolution mean for families? (Parsons)

Answer 16

The extended family had to evolve to the manufacturing, industrial-capitalist economy.

Question 17

What did a geographically mobile workforce lead to?

Answer 17

Nuclear families broke away from extended family units and moved to urban centres as that is where the work was - old family obligations no longer applicable.
Major urbanisation occurred.

Question 18

How did the industrial revolution bring about social mobility?

Answer 18

New opportunities to improve oneself materially.
For an efficient economy, there needed to be specialised roles, allocated to people with the right skills.
Nuclear family was more suited to the achievement-oriented society as it was relatively isolated from pressures of the extended family.

Question 19

What was the structural differentiation brought about by the industrial revolution?

Answer 19

The workplace and the home became separated and people became reliant on specialised agencies - no longer a unit of production, rather one of consumption.
The state also took on previously familial roles.

Question 20

What are the two key functions of the nuclear family, for Parsons?

Answer 20

a) Primary socialisation of children.

b) Stabilisation of adult personalities.

Question 21

What is Parson’s theory of primary socialisation?

Answer 21

Families are personality factories, able to mould any personality as they are “made, not born”.
Family socialises children into the society’s value consensus, creating a bridge between the individual to wider society.

Question 22

What is the Stabilisation of Adult Personalities theory?

Answer 22

The family relieve the stresses of the workplace, like a warm bath, where adults can let themselves go - emotional support is a safety valve.
Keeps the family stable as its members aren’t stressed, further stabilising society.

Question 23

What does warm bath theory state about gender roles?

Answer 23

The nuclear unit provides clear and distinct gender roles based on biology, making it natural.
Male: “Instrumental leader” - economic welfare and protection.
Female: “Expressive leader” - socialises children and provides emotional care and support.
These roles are complementary - equal but different.

Question 24

What criticism have I levelled against Parsons’ idea of gender roles?

Answer 24

Who provides the emotional care and support to the woman?

She is not able to have a “warm bath” as the man can.

Question 25

What does Parsons conclude about the nuclear family?

Answer 25

It’s superior as it is more adaptable to the needs of modern industrial societies:

• Mobile.
• Provide socialisation and stabilisation, maintaining social order.

Question 26

What are some strengths of the functionalist theories?

Answer 26

1. Recognises the dominance of the nuclear family.
2. Many people desire the nuclear family.
3. Has influenced many social policies (gives it relevance).

Question 27

What are 4 main criticisms of functionalism?

Answer 27

1. Failed to consider the impact of migration on the diversity of family types.
2. Interpretivists see socialisation as a two-way street (kids are not empty vessels).
3. It neglects the darker side to the family - it is too positive.
4. Feminists claim it has dated views on female roles.

Question 28

In more depth, what is the interpretivist criticism of functionalism?

Answer 28

Children are not empty vessels.
Socialisation is a two-way interaction as children can modify their parents behaviour and teach them new things, such as using the internet.

Question 29

Why is it accused of being too positive?

Answer 29

1. 1/4 of women are victims of domestic abuse.
2. Avg 4 children a week die at the hands of a parent in the UK.
3. Radford et al (2011) found that 1 in 20 kids had been sexually abuse, and 1 in 14 had been physically abused.