Functionalist Perspective

• What do functionalists believe the family does for children?

  The family socializes children.
• What types of support does the family provide to its members?

  The family provides emotional and practical support.
• How does the family help regulate sexual activity?

  The family regulates sexual activity and sexual reproduction.
• What social function does the family provide its members?

  The family provides its members with a social identity.
• What impact do sudden changes in the family structure have according to functionalists?

  They threaten the family's stability and weaken society.
• Who conducted a survey of 250 societies regarding family functions?

  Sociologist George Murdock.
• What are the four universal residual functions of the family identified by Murdock?

  Sexual, reproductive, educational, and economic.
• How does Murdock define the family in his study?

  He includes the state of marriage in his definition of family.
• What role does the family play in regulating sexual relations according to Murdock?

  The family regulates sexual relations between individuals.
• Parsons' model of family functions

  socialization, reproduction, and economic support
• Parsons' concept of role theory

  family members have different roles to perform to maintain social order
• Murdock's monogamy hypothesis


  marriage is seen as a way to ensure stability and security for children
• What do functionalists believe about the family?

  It performs essential functions for society
• What are the essential functions of the family according to functionalists?

  • Socializing children
  • Providing emotional support
  • Contributing to economic stability
  • Offering a sense of belonging
• How did the Industrial Revolution change family roles?

  It shifted families to serve complementary roles in providing support for workers
• What did Murdock argue about family roles?

  Families consist of instrumental and expressive roles
• What are instrumental roles in a family according to Murdock?

  Roles that provide financial support and establish family status
• What are expressive roles in a family according to Murdock?

  Roles that involve providing emotional support and physical care
• What is Parsons' functional fit theory of the family?

  Nuclear families are essential for socializing members and stabilizing adult personalities
• What does primary socialization refer to?

  The early period in a person’s life where they learn through interactions and experiences
• How does primary socialization affect future behavior?

  It sets the groundwork for all future socialization
• What is the "warm bath theory" proposed by Parsons?

  It emphasizes emotional support and stress relief provided by the family
• What are Murdock's four functions of the nuclear family?

  1. Sexual
  2. Reproductive
  3. Socialization
  4. Economic Needs
• What role does the family play in regulating sexual relations according to Murdock?

  It ensures that sexual relations are controlled and socially acceptable
• Why is reproduction considered a function of the family?

  It is necessary for ensuring the survival of society
• How does the family contribute to socialization?

  It teaches children ways of thinking and behaving that follow social norms
• What is the significance of gender role socialization in families?

  It helps children learn their roles within the family structure
• What happens when family members move outside of their assigned roles according to Murdock?

  The family is thrown out of balance and risks collapse
• What does Parsons believe about the nuclear family's functions compared to the past?

  It performs fewer functions but is still essential for primary socialization and stabilizing adult personalities
• How does the family provide emotional support according to Parsons?

  It helps maintain societal order by preventing disruptive behavior
• What is the role of the family in the education of children?

  It provides primary socialization and teaches cultural norms
• What is the relationship between family structure and societal stability?

  A sudden change in family structure threatens the stability of society
• What does the term "kinship mode of production" refer to?

  Family-based economies in pre-industrial society
• How were marriages viewed in pre-industrial society?

  They were arranged for social and economic purposes
• What was the typical family structure in pre-industrial society?

  A head of household, their spouse, children, and possibly other relatives
• What does the term "primary socialization" mean?

  The process of learning attitudes, values, and actions appropriate to culture
• How does the family contribute to the economic needs of its members?

  By teaching children gender roles and providing financial support
• What is the significance of the family in the context of societal functions?

  It performs essential functions that contribute to the maintenance of society
• What is the role of the family in regulating sexual activity?

  It ensures that sexual relations are socially acceptable
• How does the family provide social identity?

  By offering a sense of belonging to its members