Parsons

what are the 2 functions of the family according to Parsons?

primary socialisation , stabilisation of adult personalities

what is Parsons’ primary socialisation function?

agrees with Murdock, the teaching of societal norms and values to children is essential

what is Parsons’ stabilisation of adult personalities function?

the nuclear family helps adults avoid problems by supporting each other emotionally, especially during stress. This reduces harmful behaviour like cheating

why does Parsons only believe in 2 functions?

Parsons believes that the post industrial society meant that the family’s functions and structure change, no longer a unit of production

what does Parsons call these 2 functions?

irreducible

why did the transition from the extended family to the nuclear family happen?

• pre-industrial families tended to be large, extended families, where the family was a unit of production working in agriculture.

• industrialisation required geographical mobility, a nuclear family was much easier to move around than an extended one.

• in urban nuclear families, people had an achieved status rather than an ascribed status ( meritocracy )

• men worked in industry( instrumental ) and women took on a domestic role

  ( expressive )

what is Parsons’ warm bath theory?

the working man can come home to de-stress himself by his wife and relax. ensures the emotional needs of the breadwinner is met

what is Parsons’ functional fit theory?

Parsons believed that the family structure and functions will always fit the needs of the society