Functionalist theory - perspective on the family

p189-90

Murdock (1949) - 4 essential functions of the family to meet the needs of society and its members

The family is a universal institution found in some form in all human societies without exception

Primary socialisation

Reproduction of the next generation

Economic

Satisfaction of the Sex drive

CRITICISM: Murdock (1949)

Feminist

• Murdock has a ‘rose-tinted’ harmonious view that

  • Ignores the fact that the family is not all positive (DV, child abuse)

  • Ignores the fact that the experience of family is not the same for everyone (men vs women)

• Says that the nuclear family is a feature of the patriarchy designed to oppress women and children and serve the needs of men

CRITICISM: Murdock (1949)

Marxist

• The nuclear family is a feature of capitalism that oppresses the proletariat and serves the needs of capitalism, not the members of the family

• Socialisation has now been outsourced to nursery workers

CRITICISM: Murdock (1949)

Ethnocentric

• Presents the nuclear family as superior

CRITICISM: Murdock (1949)

Gittins (1993)

• Relationships are universal, not the family itself

CRITICISM: Murdock (1949)

Barrett & McIntosh (1991)

• The idea that the nuclear family is universal is significant

CRITICISM: Murdock (1949)

Chester (1985)

• Snapshots of household types is misleading

• Most people live in families over their life cycle, but not all the time

• No longer just trad. N.F. but also neo-conventional N.F. (more prevalent) which has both spouses playing instrumental/breadwinner role

ONS

• 66% of families are nuclear in the UK

Value consensus

• Need for societies to share beliefs and religions to function and achieve a common goal

Parsons (1955) - definitions

• Nuclear family = parents and dependent children

• Extended family = three generations under 1 roof

Parsons (1955) - functional fit theory

• Each type of family fits the two basic types of society

• Modern industrial = nuclear family

• Pre-industrial = extended family

Parsons (1955) - modern industrial society and geographical mobility

• Industries are always springing up and shutting down across the country

• People need to be able to move towards jobs

  • Easier for N.F. to move due to fewer people and geographical ties

Parsons (1955) - modern industrial society and social mobility

• Modern industrial society based on constantly evolving science and technology

• Needs skilled and technically competent workforce

• Social mobility more possible in MIS due to:

  • Meritocracy - talented people can win jobs and promotions despite their background

  • Status defined by effort and ability not ascribed by background and class

• N.F. more socially mobile as extended families have a fixed hierarchy, e.g. issues would be caused if the son had a better job than the father and became head of the household

• Mobile N.F. structurally isolated from extended kin and so has no obligations towards them

Parsons (1955) - pre-industrial society and extended families

• Fits needs better

• Family unit of production- members worked together and were more self-sufficient

• Provided for members’ health and welfare

• Met more individual and social needs

• This all correlates with a pre-industrial society that was made up of cottage industries and relied heavily on the extended family structure, which allowed for cooperation and support within the household

CRITICISM: Parsons (1955) - functional fit theory

Young and Wilmott (1973)

• P-I S:

• N.F. fits pre-industrial society better

  • Cottage industries had parents and children working together

• MIS:

• Hardship of early industrial period meant matrifocal extended families were more common

  • Mums and married daughters provided each other with financial/practical/emotional support

• N.F. emerged in 1900s due to social changes (better living standards, welfare state, more housing, married women working) that decreased importance of E.F.

  • E.F still used for financial help/childcare/emotional support

CRITICISM: Parsons (1955) - functional fit theory

Laslett (1972)

• Study of English households (1563-1821, pre-industrial) showed that they were often nuclear due to late childbearing and short life expectancies

CRITICISM: Parsons (1955) - functional fit theory

Anderson (1980)

• Exchange theory: individuals break off/maintain family ties due to costs or benefits involved

• Study of mid-19th century (modern industrial) Preston

• Showed populararity of w/c extended family due to exchange theory

  • Harsh conditions meant benefits of E.F. outweighed costs

  • Older kin were used for childcare

  • Orphaned relatives taken in to increase income and help with rent

Parsons - functions of the family

• Primary socialisation of children

• Stabilisation of adult personalities

CRITICISM: functionalist theory of family

Personal life perspective

• Assumption that trad. N.F. family dominant ignores increasing family diversity

  • Compared to 50 years ago, families today come in various forms, including single-parent families, blended families, and same-sex families, challenging traditional norms

• Structural theories assume family members are passive puppets, when in reality we have some choice in shaping our family dynamics and roles

  • To truly understand families, we have to focus on meaning given to situations, not supposed functions of families