Parsons

• Parsons

  Parsons is the theorist who came up with the theory functionalism. He argues that social order is achieved through the existence of a shared culture.
• Value Consensus

  Value consensus is the glue that holds society together and helps to prevent anomie. Anomie - A lack of morals/values.
• Organic Analogy

  Functionalists believe that society is based on consensus, they compare society to the human body (organic analogy). Just as the body needs all its parts to function correctly, so does society.
• Social institutions

  Social institutions must work together in harmony to ensure the smooth running of society. E.g. education and the family.
• The role of the family

  The role of the family is also known as the beating heart of society. Its key role is to ensure that children are correctly socialised and ensure they learn the correct norms and values of their society.
• Expressive and instrumental roles


  In a family, each member has a role to play. The woman plays the expressive role, which is the housewife. The man plays the instrumental role, which is the breadwinner. This is because functionalists believe they are biologically suited to these roles.
• Functionalism Evaluation

  Functionalists see society through rose tinted glasses, therefore they are overly positive about the functions of society and the family. They ignore the dysfunctions, such as domestic violence and unequal power dynamics between the expressive and instrumental role.
• Dysfunctions

  If the family fail to complete their role it would lead to a disharmony in society, which will lead to the breakdown of norms and values of society. This is called anomie.
• Talcott Parsons

  Parson argues that the functions of the family performs depend on the kind of society in which it is found. He calls this theory 'functional fit'
• The extended family

  The nuclear family with additional grandparents or aunties and uncles.
• The nuclear family

  A 2 generation family of a man and women and their dependent children.
• Structural differentiation

  Industrialisation has led to the process of structural differentiation. The family has lost some of its functions to other institutions e.g. health, education, religion. Those functions left are the most important.
• 2 basic types of society

  Traditional pre-industrial society and modern traditional society.
• Traditional pre-industrial society

  Agricultural people who lived in the same village all their lives. The family was a multi-functional unit and self sufficient.
• Modern industrial society

  Industrialisation and urbanisation meant people moved around for work. The society was meritoclatic.
• A geographically mobile workforce

  We now need to move around for work. So the nuclear family is more compact and better suited for this.
• A socially mobile workforce

  We no longer have obligations to our kin and we don't need to help out at harvest in times of crisis or follow in our parents footsteps.
• The second key role of the family

  Stabilisation of adult personalities - family provides stability and emotional security, a safe haven from the stresses of everyday life. They act as a warm bath
• The warm bath theory

  A husband comes home from work. He could be feeling exhausted and strains from the day. What he needs is a warm bath to sink into.
• Positive functions of the warm bath theory

  The family relieves stress and tension from work, creating a safe and warm environment which helps stabilise adult personalities. The husband returns to work refreshed and ready to meet the demands of work. The family feel content, giving structure and clear roles within the family.
• Evaluation of the warm bath theory

  Feminists suggest it creates clear and distinct gender roles. This restricts the role of the female and subordinates them within the family.

  Marxism - This 'warm bath' only benefits capitalism and it keeps the workers passive and disguises their exploitation. Creating false class consciousness.

  Some families have abusive relationships, where the home is dangerous. Functionalists only focus on those families where they are a warm bath. Others are disregarded.
• Evaluation of Parsons

  Oakley is critical of Parsons. She suggests that the family maintain gender inequality through gender socialisation. Boys and girls are treated differently that's why they are pushed into certain gender roles. Manipulation, different activities, verbal appellations and canalisation (Boys have toy cars, girls have toy kitchens)
• The dark side of the family

  Functionalism fails to consider the 'darker' side of the family. Family problems such as, Domestic violence, child abuse, divorce, controlling parents, sibling rivalry, poverty and low income are all ignored by functionalists.