Evaluation of Murdock (functionalism)

What do critics and supporters suggest?

• Critics suggest there are societies in which the nuclear family is absent (the Nayar).

• Supporters suggest it can be found in most societies and attempts to abolish it in Russia and Israel failed.

What is the ubiquity of the nuclear family? (positive)

• Murdock is probably right to stress the importance of the nuclear family.

• There are one or two exceptions (e.g the Nayar), but most people in most societies are born into a nuclear family and most people marry, have children and start their own nuclear families.

What is the Nayar?

• Anthropological studies have found cultures in which the nuclear family doesn’t exist.

• In the Nayar community of south-west India, girls were often married to several husbands but these men rarely lived with their ‘wives’ and children.

• The male had a ‘visiting husband’ role and some women had more than one husband.

• Inheritance was matrilineal – property was passed down the female line.

Are family functions effective? (negative)

• Reproduction – many women are now choosing not to have children.

• Sexual – attitudes towards sex have changed dramatically since Murdock’s study. Sex before and outside of marriage are now the norm, while alternative sexualities are becoming increasingly acceptable.

What are dysfunctions of the family? (negative)

• Murdock may put too much emphasis on the functional benefits of the nuclear family and downplay the dysfunctions of the nuclear family that produce social problems, such as domestic violence, child abuse and anti-social behaviour in children.

Is Murdock too prescriptive?

• Murdock’s theory has been accused of ethnocentrism because it sees nuclear families as morally superior to other family types such as cohabiting couples, single-parent families, gay families and reconstituted families.

• These alternative family types are often dismissed as ‘inferior’.

• Politicians may consequently discriminate against these alternatives because they see them as less ‘ideal’.

What is the feminist critique of Murdock? (negative)

• He implies that women’s main role is the nurturing of children.

• However, most families today are dual-career and the wife’s economic contribution is just as important as the husband’s.

• Women may now be playing less of a role in the socialisation of children – a function that has transferred to childminders, nurseries and grandparents.

What is said about family diversity? (negative)

• Murdock’s theory has failed to keep up with modern trends, such as:

  • The feminisation of the workforce.

  • Increases in life expectancy.

  • Changes in fertility rates (women are now choosing to have fewer children).

• Family life in the UK is now characterised by diversity – many versions of the family in the UK effectively perform the functions identified by Murdock.

What is said about failure to abolish the nuclear family? (negative)

• There have been two attempts to abolish the nuclear family, both have failed:

  • 1920s: Russian government made divorce and abortion easier for women to obtain in order to free up women’s labour. Gave women the same rights as men and set up state collectives to provide childcare, laundry and kitchen services. Attempt was quickly abandoned as it resulted in nearly 7 million homeless children and a dramatic rise in crime.

  • Israel: many people lived in communes (called kibbutzim). Children were raised in children’s houses by carers and would only see their parents for a few hours each day. Failed because children often ran away to be with their parents or parents refused to cooperate with the aims of the children’s house.