Functionalism

• What do functionalists argue about institutions in society?

  They have important roles for society's functioning
• What functions do functionalists believe families serve?

  Functions for both society and individuals
• Who provided a classic functionalist statement on families?

  George Murdock
• What year did George Murdock publish his findings on families?

  1949
• How many functions did Murdock identify as common to all families?

  Four functions
• What are the four functions of the family according to Murdock?

  • Educational: Primary socialisation of children
  • Economic: Pooling resources for members
  • Reproductive: Producing the next generation
  • Sexual: Controlling adult sexual relationships
• What is the educational function of the family?

  Teaching norms and values to children
• What does the economic function of the family entail?

  Pooling resources for all family members
• What is the reproductive function of the family?

  Producing the next generation
• What is the sexual function of the family?

  Controlling and stabilizing adult relationships
• Who updated Murdock's theory on families?

  Talcott Parsons
• What year did Talcott Parsons publish his updated theory?

  1951
• What two irreducible functions did Parsons identify for families?

  Primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities
• How does Parsons define primary socialisation?

  Teaching family and community norms and values
• What is secondary socialisation according to Parsons?

  Learning universal norms from other institutions
• What does Parsons mean by the stabilisation of adult personalities?

  Families provide emotional support during stress
• What is Parsons' warm bath theory?

  Family provides relaxation and stress relief
• What are criticisms of functionalist views on families?

  • Conflict theorists argue it is idealistic
  • Negative family experiences are overlooked
  • Benefits powerful groups, not all society
  • Feminists claim families benefit men primarily
• What do conflict theorists argue about family roles?

  They benefit powerful groups, not everyone
• How do feminists view the family structure?

  It largely benefits men
• Who described women in families as "takers of shit"?

  Fran Ansley
• What does "takers of shit" imply about family dynamics?

  Men relieve stress by offloading it onto wives
• What is a criticism of the traditional view of families?

  It assumes all families are nuclear and traditional
• What are the limitations of functionalist theories on families?

  • Outdated assumptions about family structure
  • Overlooks diversity in family forms
  • Ignores negative aspects of family life