functionalism

• The four roles Murdock argues the family plays in society

  • stable satisfaction of sex drive
  • reproduction of the next generation
  • socialisation of the young
  • meeting the economic needs of the family
• what does parsons functional fit theory state

  the family performs functions that are based on the types of society they are in; pre-industrial and modern society
• Why did the extended family fit the needs of pre-industrial society?

  Families spent their lives in the same area, and their status was ascribed

  • The dominant culture was more agricultural - the economy was more based on trade and there was a focus on religion
  • the family was a unit of production
  • Three-generational families weren't expected to move, so they could settle down and operate
• Why did the nuclear family fit the needs of industrial/modern society

  • they are more geographically mobile as it is easier for the compact two-generation family to move
  • an individuals status is achieved by their own efforts and ability which could cause conflict in an extended family due to competition for higher status
  • the family can break away into their own nuclear family rather than staying in the extended kin - the male is able to b the best he can be without creating conflict
• definition of structural differentiation

  structural institutions loose their functions as other institutions are created |
• Two functions the modern nuclear family perform

  • primary socialisation
  • stabilisation of adult personalities ( warm bath theory )
• warm bath theory - parsons

  the family provides a warm, loving and stable environment for its members, especially the working man, who can relax and be refreshed by his wife after a hard day at work
• how does the nuclear family stable satisfaction of the sex drive

  the nuclear family created a monogamous relationship which means that sex only occurs between two adults. by maintaining the sex drive, social disruption caused by a sexual free for all would be reduced
• how does the nuclear family reproduce the next generation

  Through sex, reproduction occurs which means that the next generation of society will be created. Reproduction also stabilised marriage. Without reproduction society would cease to continue.
• how does the nuclear family socialize the young

  Through this social process, members of society are socialised into the dominant culture with the various norms and values needed
• how does the family meet its members economic needs

  The nuclear family is really important as it meets the financial needs of family members. The male is likely to be the breadwinner who is able to provide shelter and food.
• Murdock argues that the nuclear family is universal after analyzing 250 societies
• criticism of functionalism

  they have a rose-tinted harmonious consensus view that the family meets the needs of both wider society and all different members
• Criticism of Murdock - palmer

  palmer argues the idea of a 'toxic childhood' and states that the cultural and technological changes are damaging children's physical, emotional and intellectual development. Therefore, Murdock's theory ignores the changes in society that are affecting a child's development that the nuclear family cannot resist
• Murdock ignores the idea that other institutions could perform the role of the nuclear family to the same extent