Functionalist view

• Nuclear family


  This keyword:

  - A married couple and their unmarried children living together.
• Parsons


  This sociologist:

  - Organic analogy

  - instrumental and expressive role

  - Based on biology

  - functional fit theory
• Murdock (1949)


  This Sociologist:

  - Argue that the family is universal in a nuclear family with a heterosexual couple and dependent children.

  - He argue that there are 4 essential functions that the family performs.
• Functions according to Murdock


  Functions:

  1. Socialisation/educating the young

  2. Reproduction of next generation

  3. Meets economic needs

  4. Sexual needs
• Functions according to Parsons

  Functions:

  1. Socialisation/educating the young

  2. Stabilisation of adult personalities
• Stabilisation of adult personalities

  This term:

  - Also known as the warm bath theory.

  - One of Parsons' functions of the family.
• Functional fit theory


  This theory:

  - A term by Parsons.

  - The idea that the family meets the needs of the society it is in.

  E.g. Extended family essential in pre-industrial society - can perform LOTS of functions.

  - Nuclear essential in industrial society - needs to be smaller and more mobile.
• Loss of functions


  This view:

  - functions that were once performed by the family are now performed by another institution as part of the functional fit theory.

  E.g. Education system replaces family

  Looking after sick family - NHS

  Economic needs - welfare state
• Feminist evaluation


  These sociologists:

  - critique the Parsons nuclear family (and instrumental/expressive roles) being based on biology

  - Expressive role/warm bath is usually performed by the woman.

  - Ignores the dark side of the family, including child abuse and domestic violence which is more likely to occur to women and children.

  - Keywords are patriarchy and exploitation.
• Postmodern evaluation


  These sociologists:

  - critique the view of ONLY being one type of family.

  - There is range of other family types that can perform the functions equally well.

  - Keywords are diversity and choice.