Families and households booklet one

functionalist perspectives on the family

functionalist argues society has important functions for both

society and individuals

how many societies did George Murdock study

250 worldwide

what did he find?

that family was universal, particularly some form of nuclear family

what does this conclude too?

that if family is universal it must be beneficial to society

what were the 4 functions of the family according to Murdock

educational, economic, reproductive and sexual

what did parsons explore

how society changed over time

what were 3 reasons for moving from pre industrial to post industrial

structural differentiation, strengthening of martial bonds no longer needed extended family

another reason is geographic mobility, what is geographic mobility?

with the divison of labour, jobs became more specialised making families have to move away from extended family

what are the final reasons for this change?

social mobility and growth in meritocracy

what was the soap function parsons concluded?

the stablisation of adult personalities - the spouses and children act as a warm bath, where the burdens and stresses are released, distressing the individual and stablises society as a result

what is the second function according to parson?

primary socialisation of children - to share norms and values of society, known as value on concencus

parsons suggested there was 2 clear roles in the family, the..

instrumental and expressive roles

what’s a positive evaluation of this?

many, particularly conservative parties have their social origins in functionalist perspectives, eg John majors back to basics campaign promoted marriage and the nuclear family

what’s a negative evaluation of this?

ethnocentric and out of date to 1940/50s America, feminists would say it ignores the exploitation of women - expressive role, warm bath- and the divison of domestic labour.