George Murdock

• 4 Essential Functions

  • Stable satisfaction of the sex drive - with the same partner, preventing a 'sexual free for all'
  • Reproduction of the next generations of workers - Without which society couldn't continue
  • Socialisation of the young - teaching society's shared norms and values
  • Meeting its members' economic needs - such as food and shelter
• George Murdock

  He believes the nuclear family consists of a man, woman and children. He argues they must co-operate and maintain a sexual relationship. He thinks it is universal, found in all societies.
• Stable satisfaction of the sex drive

  Benefit to the individual: Contentment, fulfilment with partner in a loving home.

  Benefit to society: Stops a sexual free for all, prevents unwanted pregnancies and STD's.

  Other agencies involved: Healthcare and religion.
• Reproduction of the next generation of workers

  Benefit to the individual: Happiness of having a family, contentment

  Benefit to society: Workers provide for the economy

  Other agencies involved: Healthcare
• Socialisation of the young

  Benefit to the individual: Strong moral values, fulfilment

  Benefit to society: Everyone follows the same rules of society, low crime rates

  Other agencies involved: Justice system and education system
• Evaluation of Murdock

  The nuclear family is no longer universal - we have a range of families that now exist (same-sex couples)

  Feminists would argue how oppressive the nuclear family is to women

  Marxists would argue that the family doesn't meet the needs of everyone also capitalism.