Functionalist perspective on the family

what do functionalists believe society is based on

value consensus (which is a set of shared norms and values ) which socialises members of society enabling them to meet society’s needs

how do functionalists regard society

as a system made up of different parts or sub-systems that depend on each other. they often refer to society to a biological organism like the human body

what does Murdock argue the family is for

to performs 4 essential functions to meet the needs of society and individuals

what are the 4 essential functions Murdock refers to

• stable satisfaction of the sex drive- staying with the same partner, preventing the social disruption caused by a sexual free-for-all

• reproduction of the next generation- society could not continue without reproduction

• socialisation of the young- teach them society’s shared norms and values

• meeting economic needs- food and shelter

What family does Murdock argue as being more practical

nuclear family

whats a criticism of the economic function

not all families can provide food and functions, some may rely on the government for benefits and universal credit

whats a criticism of the socialisation function

not all families teach their children the right values and norms

whats a criticism of the reproductive function

not everyone can or wants kids

whats the feminists criticism of Murdock

they see the family as serving the needs of men and oppressing women

whats the marxist criticism of Murdock

argue that it meets the needs of capitalism, not thoes of family members or society as a whole

what is Parsons view of the familys function

he believes their are two kinds of family structure

• the nuclear family- just parents and their dependent children

• extended family- three generations living under one roof

the particular structure and functions of a given type of family will ‘fit’ the needs of the society in which it is found

what does Parsons argue as the 2 basic types of society

pre-industrialisation and post-industrialisation

what family does he argue fits the needs of pre-industrial society

extended family fits the needs of pre-industrial society.

why did the nuclear family become more important according to Parsons

the emerging industrial society had different needs from pre-industrial society, and the family had to adapt to these needs.

what does Parsons think the industrial society’s two essential needs are

• a geographically mobile workforce

• socially mobile workforce

what is a geographically mobile workforce

pre-industrialisation people always lived in the same village. in a modern society there is a specialised division of labour with a wide range of occupations. therefore the labour needs to be geographically mobile- to be able to move around the country to areas where there skills are required which often involves leaving extended family behind as its easier to move with just nuclear family.

what is a social mobile workforce

modern industrial society is based on constantly evolving science and tech requiring a skilled, technically competent workforce. in modern society, an individual status is achieved by their own efforts, not ascribed from birth making social mobility possible.

for this reason Parson argues the nuclear family is better equipped o meet the needs of industrial society.

what is structural differentiation - Parsons

structural differentiation is when the family loses some of its functions. in pre-industrialisation family carried out many functions but in industrial society specialists institutions take over some of these functions

e.g. healthcare used to come from family support, now the welfare state takes over much of the responsibility

whats Parsons primary socialisation theory

primary socialisation is passing on norms and values of society like the patterns and behaviour of society.

this is needed so people can play their role in the intensive force of labour when they are older continuing capitalism

this is the role of the mother

what is the expressive role

this is the role of the mother because they are more nurturing as they are biologically suited to looking after the emotional and culture development of children

evaluation on primary socialisation

feminists would say it is a patriarchal system

what is the stabilisation of adult personality - Parsons

the warm bath theory

Parsons argued one of the roles of the family is to relieve the stress of modern-day living.

the emotional support and security within family reduces stress from work and other activities outside the home which strengthens social stability and preprears them for the next working week to play their role in society.

e.g. having a cooked dinner when get home

evaluation of the stabilisation of adult personality

not everyone has a comforting family and some are dysfunctional and suffer from abuse.

whos the instrumental leader

the male head of the house, bread winning role