TOPIC 1 - FUNDAMENTALISTS Perspective

Question 1

What are the 2 Functionalist viewpoint on Family Sociologists?

Answer 1

MURDOCK

PARSONS

Question 2

How did MURDOCK claim that the NUCLEAR FAMILY is UNIVERSAL in his DEFINITION?
6 characteristics

Answer 2

Family is a social group characterised by:
- COMMON RESIDENCE
- ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION
- REPRODUCTION
Includes:
- ADULTS OF BOTH SEXES
- SOCIALLY APPROVED RELATIONSHIP
- ONE OR MORE CHILDREN
~~~

Question 3

How do Functionalists see the family as?

Answer 3

as a particular IMPORTANT SUBSYSTEM - a basic BUILDING BLOCK of SOCIETY

Question 4

What 4 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS does MURDOCK argue that the family perform?
explain

Answer 4

• SEXUAL - stable satisfaction of the sex drive with the same partner, preventing the social disruption caused by a sexual ‘free-for-all’
• REPRODUCTION - of the next generation, without which society couldn’t continue
• SOCIALISATION - of the young into society’s shared norms and values
• ECONOMIC - meeting its members economic needs, such as food and shelter

Question 5

What 2 Functions of the Family does PARSONS believe?

Answer 5

1) Primary Socialisation

2) Stabilisation of the adult personality ( warm bath theory )

Question 6

Explain PARSONS function of STABLISATION OF THE ADULT PERSONALITY ( WARM BATH THEORY )

Answer 6

family FUNCTION to RELIEVE STRESS of modern day living

family PROVIDES a RELAXING ENVIRONMENT for the MALE WORKER to immerse himself after a hard days WORK

the WORKER is REFRESHED by warm bath and is thus ABLE TO CONTINUE being a productive worker that can contribute to capitalism.
breakdown and MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES are AVOIDED

Question 7

Explain PARSONS - FUNCTIONALIST ‘FIT’ THESIS

Answer 7

The FFT is the IDEA that the NUCLEAR FAMILY is BEST SUITED to INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY

as Britain industrialised from the late 18th century onwards, the extended family gradually began to give way to the nuclear family
This is because of it had DIFFERENT NEEDS and the FAMILY had to ADAPT to MEET these NEEDS

Question 8

What are 6 REASONS why there’s been a DECLINE in EXTENDED FAMILY LIFE?

Answer 8

• need for GEOGRAPHICAL MOBILITY
• the higher rate of SOCIAL MOBILITY in contemporary society
• the GROWTH in people’s WEALTH and INCOME as society has got richer and the welfare state has developed
• the GROWTH in MERITOCRACY in contemporary society
• the NEED to AVOID the possibility of ECONOMIC and STATUS DIFFERENCES in an extended family unit causing conflict and instability
• the NEED to PROTECT family STABILITY by strengthening the bonds between married and cohabiting partners

Question 9

What are the 3 Specialised Institutions that could be argued to have taken over Functions?
What does Parsons call this change?

Answer 9

• the National Health Service
• Education
• the Welfare State

STRUCTURAL DIFFERENTIATION - the way new, more specialised institutions emerge to take over a range of functions once performed by a single institution

Question 10

What are 3 CRITICISMS of the FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE?

Answer 10

DOWNPLAYING CONFLICT - both Murdock and Parsons paint VERY ROSY PICTURES of FAMILY LIFE, presenting it as a harmonious and integrated institution. However, they downplay conflict, particularly the ‘darker side of family life

Being OUT OF DATE - Parsons view of the ‘instrumental’ and ‘expressive’ roles of men and women is very old fashioned

IGNORING THE EXPLOITATION OF WOMEN - Functionalists tend to ignore the way women suffer from the sexual division of labour in the family