1.1 The functionalist view on families

• What are the criticisms of __ functional fit theory?

  (Parsons) its too neat, social change doesn't happen in such an orderly manner

  church records show that only 10% of families were extended before the industrial revolution, therefore family was already nuclear before

  Young & Wilmott found that extended families were still common in east London in the 70s
• What are the criticisms of Murdock?

  Feminists say that the idea that the family is essential is ideological because traditional family structures typically disadvantage women

  -it's possible that other institutions could perform the functions above

  -anthropological research has shown that there are other cultures that dont have families e.g. Nayar
• Why are these theories about the family outdated?

  Because they suggest that all families are traditional and nuclear with men going to work and women in domestic roles
• Why do feminists think that families exist?

  They think that it exists largely for the benefit of men
• What do Marxists & feminists think the functionalist view of families is?


  A rosy and idealistic picture of family life
• What policies can affect families?

  Married couple's allowance could reduce your tax bill by between £353-£912.50 a year

  You can get 30 hours free childcare if your child is 3-4 years old if you work or are on universal credit/tax credit
• What do functionalists suggest that the nuclear family has become?

  Socially isolated from extended kin

  More reliant on the welfare state

  Geographically separated from wider kin
• What is the warm bath theory?

  That the woman makes the man's warm bath after his stressful day at work
• What role does the father typically take?

  Instrumental role
• What role does the mother typically take?

  Expressive role
• What functions does Parsons think that the nuclear family needs to perform?


  1. The primary socialisation of children- equip them with basic skills and values

  2. The stabilisation of adult personalities- the family is a place where adults can relax & release tensions
• What are the two kinds of family structure?

  The nuclear family & the extended family
• What is Parsons' functional fit theory?

  He believes that the functions of the family will depend on the type of society its found in
• What is __ Biological analogy?

  (Parsons) He compared society to the body and said that all institutions needs to function to keep society running
• What are 2 of ___ 4 essential functions of the family?

  (Murdock)

  Socialisation of the young

  Satisfaction of the sex drive
• What do functionalists believe that's families do?

  That families help social stability by socialising children into this which reduces conflict and promotes stability