Sociology- Families and households

Kin

a human relationship

Nuclear Family

The majority of the UK identifies with this variation of the family - it is traditionally defined as being made up of two parents and one or more children living under the same roof. Unlike the symmetrical family

Is the nuclear family in 'meltdown'?

According to the 21st Century Family Life Survey of 2006

The 'Extended Family'

In the 'extended family' the core of it is the nuclear family (two parents

A Household

A Household is the environment that a family share. All families that share a common residence are households.

Exceptions to the Household

There are household setups that are NOT families. examples of this are friends who share a flat

Functionalist perspective on the Family

Functionalists think that the family functions for the greater good of society. They say that the family is the cornerstone (base) of society

Functionalist perspective on the Family part 2

Functionalists also argue that the nuclear family unit also benefits the individuals who are in the nuclear family. Both adults and children benefit from the emotional wellbeing and satisfaction associated with family and married life. The nuclear family also provides social support

Who was George Peter Murdock?

He was a functionalist thinker - George Peter Murdock (1949

How did Murdock define the nuclear family?

Murdock defined the nuclear family as 'a social group characterised by common residence (which) includes adults of both sexes

What were the four functions that Murdock argued were essential for a smooth running society and individual benefits?

Reproductive

What is the Reproductive function?

All societies require 'new members' to ensure their physical survival. However

What is the Sexual function?

Murdock argued that the nuclear family functions to regulate 'sexual behaviour'

What is the Educational function?

This function refers to primary socialisation that occurs within the family. Murdock argued that culture needs to be passed on through the generations

What is the Economic function?

Children are dependent on their parents or adult carers for their health and wellbeing for a significant number of years.

Murdock argued that parents therefore show their commitment to the care of their children by becoming productive workers. Parents use their wages to provide housing

Functionalist perspective of the family?

The functionalist theory of the family sees the nuclear family as functioning for the greater good of society.

They say that the family is the cornerstone of society

What are the criticisms of Murdock's theory?

Murdock's definition of the nuclear family is very ethnocentric

What else do functionalists argue about the family?

Functionalists argue that the nuclear family also benefits the individuals that make it up. Both adults and children benefit from the emotional wellbeing and satisfaction 'associated' with family and married life.

The nuclear family also provides social support

Overall view of the family from Functionalists?

Overall

Argument against Murdock's Reproductive function?

The size of families has declined because women's attitudes to marriage

for example

women may regard getting married and having children as optional in the 21st century

Argument against Murdock's Sexual function?

The decline of religious belief and the subsequent relaxation of social attitudes mean that sex before and outside of marriage is now the norm

moreover

families based on alternative sexualities (such as homosexuality and lesbianism) have become much more socially acceptable.

Argument against Murdock's Socialisation function?

There are concerns that the mass media

What else is wrong with Murdock's theory?

Murdock's emphasis on two parents

What did Parsons (Functionalist) do to explain why the nuclear family is so dominant?

He attempted to trace the historical development of the family. Parsons' theory of the family focused on examining how the social and economic change associated with the industrial revolution shaped family structures and relationships.

What did Parsons argue?

He argued that pre-industrial societies were organised into small farming communities. Land and other economic resources were commonly owned/rented by extended families.

It wasn't uncommon to live and work with your cousins on the land - duty and obligation to the family/community were the key values of pre industrial societies.

Individuality (being yourself and doing what you want to do) was subordinated (forgotten) to meet the needs of the extended family group.

What was given in return for meeting the needs of the extended family group? (according to Parsons)

In return for this commitment