Functionalism

• Functionalists have a consensus approach to society where they see it as based on agreement, working together so society runs smoothly
• Functionalism is a macro approach where they believe that the structure of society controls people. they look at the big picture, especially at the institutions
• Murdock argues the nuclear family is the most efficient family type and it is universal. the believes the nuclear family carries out 4 functions efficiently: 1) Reproduction 2) Economic 3) Socialisation 4) Satifying sex drives - (RESS)
• Reproduction (Murdock) - the biological reproduction of the next generation. the nuclear family easily allows for reproduction.
• Economic (Murdock) - the nuclear family is efficient in providing basic needs (food, water, shelter) as the man is responsible for earning money to pay, the owman is responsible for organising and distributing them within the family.
• Socialisation (Murdock) - the nuclear family is responsible for primary socialisation where the family is the first place children will learn the value consensus which is vital for a functional society
• Satisfying sex drives (Murdock) - the need for people to have sex or they will get frustrated, preventing working well with others. the nuclear family provides a stable monogamous relationship to have sex in
• evaluation of Murdock - the Nayar is a society where a woman can have mutiple sexual partners, and the mothers brother has responsibility for parenting children, this means the nuclear family isnt found in every society.
• Parsons critisises Murdock by arguing the family has lost functions, there is no longer 4 but now 2.
• The Functional Fit Theory (Parsons) - the type of family depends on the type of society. in pre-industrial society, the extended family was the most functional, but now we have moved into an industrial society and the needs of society has changed and so the nuclear family is the most functional as it fits the type of society better.
• Parson's Functional Fit Theory argues the nuclear family fits industrial society best for 2 reasons: Geographical mobility and social mobility.
• geographical mobility (parsons functional fit theory)- families need to be able to move where the jobs are so the economy can function, this is much easier for the nuclear family than the extended family.
• social mobility (parsons functional fit theory)- people need to be able to move up the social classes (meritocracy). this could cause tension in the extended family as the daughter may have a higher status than her father, and this can negatively affect the family. if she lived in her own nuclear family there will be less tension and the father can still be the 'head of the household'
• loss of functions - parsons has argued the family has lost functions as new institutions have emerged and taken over some functions. the two functions parsons argues the family will never lose are: 1) primary socialisation and 2) Stabilisation of Adult Personalities (SOAP) (warm bath theory)
• Primary socialisation (parson's fuctions) - same as Murdock's socialisation function, where the next generation gets socialised into the value consensus so they can be effective members of society.
• Stabilisation of Adult Personalities (SOAP) (parson's functions)- the family provides a relaxating environment where he can release the stress of work, and be ready to work the next day. He believes men are biologically suited to the instrumental role, and women to the expressive role, and so the women creates a relaxing family environment (like a warm bath) so the man can go back to work and keep the economy strong
• evaluation of parsons (functional fit theory and loss of functions) - feminists argue he is oppressive to women- Ansley argues womens are 'takers of shit' from the anger men bring home. Oakley argues that the idea that women suit the expressive role is a social contruction, not biological, as before the industrial revolution, women did largely the same jobs within the family as men
• Fletcher critisises Parson's Loss of functions by arguing that family hasnt lost any functions, but has actually gained them.
• Fletcher has argued we have kept functions but also gained some new ones. the kept functions include: education and healthcare. the gained functions include: maintaining satisfying relationships
• Education (Fletcher's kept function) - he believes the family is still heavily involved in the education system through helping with homework, parents evenings and motivation. this critises parsons in his arguement that the education system has taken over the 'education' function of the family
• Healthcare (Fletcher's Kept Function) - the family is still involved in healthcare, for example, parents usually can tell when their children need to go to the doctor.
• Maintaining Satisfying Relationships (Fletcher's gained function) - having positive and fulfilling relationships is important for society to function successfully. if someone was having a negative experience it would affect their job or education for example
• evaluation of Fletcher - postmodernists argue that the nuclear family doesnt exist anymore, today family can be with whoever and whatever you want it to be, so his view is outdated. Marxists and Feminists argue that functionalism ignores many harmful aspects of the family and society such as exploitation, abuse and patriarchal control