Parsons

What theory did Parsons create in 1959?

The functional fit theory

What is this theory?

Examining the social and economic changes associated with the industrial revolution and how it shaped family structures and relationships

What does the pre industrial family look like?

The pre industrial family was extended, a unit of production and had an ascribed status - they often lived in the country and worked in agriculture

What does the post industrial family look like?

An isolated nuclear family, a unit of consumption who are geographically mobile - often living in cities

What did Parsons argue nuclear family is becoming?

Increasingly specialised and some functions have been taken over by specialised institutions

What is an example of some functions that have been taken over by specialised institutions?

Social services

How many functions did Parsons say the modern nuclear family fulfills?

2

What is the first basic function Parsons said nuclear families fulfills?

Socialisation

What does socialisation produce?

The teaching of norms and values that help children take their place in society, personality factories to have children positively involve them in social life and he saw mothers as having major roles in social life and nurturing