functionalism - family

what is a consensus theory

theory which suggests that harmony between societal institutions allows the maintenance of society

is functionalism a consensus theory

yes

what is organic analogy

a functionalist concept where each institution (organ) has a specialised function to allow society to function

what sociologist developed this 

durkheim

what is a unit of consumption

a group that purchases and uses goods and services

what is a unit of production

a group that carries out economic activity using labour and resources

what is exchange theory

when individuals break off family ties due to costs, conflict or benefits (e.g. jobs when moving away)

who are the main 2 sociologists for functionalism + family 

george murdock and talcott parsons 

what year was murdock 

1949

what year was parsons

1959,1965

what did murdock say about families

nuclear family was a universal institution which is vital to the wellbeing and happiness of all societies

what did he conduct

a study of 250 societies

what did he conclude from his research

the family has 4 functions: reproductive, sexual, education/socialisation and economic

what is the family’s reproductive role in society (2)

• ensures creation of new generation, allowing society to grow and humanity to continue

• children stabilise martial and family relationships

what is the family’s sexual role in society (3)

• nuclear family regulates sexual behaviour 

• limits sexuality to monogamous relationships

• helps prevent conflict based on sexual desire 

what is the family’s education/socialisation role in society (1)

• provides a stable environment for children to be socialised into the culture of their society

what is the family’s economic role in society (2)

• ensures survival of members by providing food and shelter

• parents must be productive workers to provide and show commitment to children

what type of society did parsons research

american society

what did he find in his research

even though some familial functions were lost, ‘two basic but irreducible functions’ remained

what are the 2 functions 

primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult/human personalities 

what is primary socialisation (3)

• child’s 1st experiences of socialisation

• the family enables children to internalise the norms and values of their society

• moulds people around the central cultural values

what is stabilisation of adult/human personalities (2)

• sexual division of labour

• in western societies, the isolated nuclear family gets little support, so the stress of the competitive world of work for the man must be counterbalanced by warmth and security in a family

what role do the women play

expressive

what role do the men play

instrumental

what is the man often called

breadwinner

what did parsons say was happening to the family

the structure of families changes to meet the needs of different societies

what were the 2 societies he discussed

pre-industrial and industrial

what is the family like in pre-industrial society (2)

• extended families are the norm

• work on agriculture together

what is the family like in industrial society (2)

• nuclear families are the norm 

• necessary for 2 functions: geographically mobile workforces and socially mobile workforces 

what is a geographically mobile workforce

when people can easily move for jobs in factories, larger families may struggle to move 

what is a socially mobile workforce

when problems of hierarchy and status are eliminated between male family members (e.g. dad and son) if the son is more successful and achieves greater achieved status than the father

what did parsons say about changing family functions

originally, families performed many more functions. now, the family’s role has decreased

why has the family’s functions reduced

structural differentiation

what is structural differentation

when specialist institutions take over some functions in industrial society (e.g. NHS takes over medical functions)

what are the 5 criticisms of functionalism 

1. downplaying conflict

2. old fashioned views

3. exploitation of women

4. family diversity

5. isolation of families

what is downplaying conflict

murdock + parsons both have a ‘rose tinted’ perspective, ignoring domestic violence and abuse 

what is old fashioned views

parson’s views of instrumental and expressive roles are very outdated (may have been true of the 1950s). Now, both partners take on both roles

what is exploitation of women

women suffer from the sexual division of labour, with negative effects on mental health and increased stress. men benefit more

who argues this perspective

feminists

what is family diversity

diversity is increasing, the nuclear family is not the only type of family (e.g LGBTQ, beanpole families)

who argues this perspective

postmodernists

what is isolation of families

nuclear families are so isolated that the dependency between family members creates conflict and are draining

who argues this 

leach (1967)