functionalism

what type of theory is functionalism?

• structural; norms and values determine our experience of society

• consensus: everyone in society shares norms and values

how is social order maintained? (functionalism)

• social solidarity

• value consensus

social solidarity

• shared knowledge and values, makes people people united and belonging

• durkheim - totemism

• however, irrelevant in post-modern society, ignores secularisation

value consensus

• we all know the same norms and values, taught through socialisation

• parsons - primary socialisation; family teaches norms and values that help prevent conflict in schools

• however: increasingly more children start reception without toilet training

how does social change happen? (functionalism)

• evolutionary change: small adaptive change to keep a moving equilibrium and prevent anomie

• e.g. women changed roles in the family → being in the workplace

what are the problems with the functionalist view?

• assumes there is a value consensus in society

• ignores the difference in power (marxism - ruling class, feminism - men)

what is the functionalist methodology?

• durkheim (positivist)

• gained objective data, can uncover and measure patterns of behaviour

• repeatable (reliable) can establish cause and effect for social problems

how relevant is functionalism in the 21st century? YES

• outdated

• shared curriculum

• ethnocentric, partiachal, middle class based

how relevant is functionalism in the 21st century? NO

• relevant

• family policy: section 28

• encourage heterosexual nuclear families