Functionalist Perspective

• Functionalist Assumptions

  Believe society is based on a value consensus into which society socialises its members. Enabling them to cooperate harmoniously to meet societies needs and achieve shared goals. Regarding society as a system made up of different sub-systems that are interdependent, such as the family, often comparing society to a biological organism- like the human body (the organic analogy).
• Murdock: 4 Essential Functions

  Stable satisfaction of the sex drive- with the same partner, preventing the social disruption caused by a sexual 'free-for-all'.

  Reproduction of the next generation- enables society to continue.

  Socialisation of the young- into society's shared norms and values.

  Meeting its members economic needs- such as food and shelter.
• Criticisms of Murdock

  Murdock accepts that other institutions could perform these functions- but argues that the nuclear family is practical in meeting all four needs which makes it universal- found in all human societies without exception. Though some sociologists argue that not all of these functions are essential, and that they could be performed equally well by other institutions, or by a non-nuclear family structure.
• Criticisms of Murdock

  Marxists and Feminists reject his 'rose-tinted', harmonious consensus view that the family meets the needs of both wider society and all different members of the family. Arguing that Functionalism neglects conflict and exploitation. Feminists see the family as serving the needs of men and oppressing women. Marxists argue it meets the needs of capitalism, not those of family members or society as a whole.
• Parsons' 'Functional Fit Theory'

  Parsons claims that the functions the family perform depend on the kind of society in which it is found. The functions that the family have to perform will then affect its structure: the nuclear family- just parents and their dependent children; and the extended family- three generations living together. Parsons argues that the particular structure and functions of a given type of family will 'fit' the needs of society in which it is found.
• Parsons' 'Functional Fit Theory'

  Parsons claims there is two basic types of society- modern industrial society and traditional pre-industrial society. Sees the nuclear family as the dominant type in industrial society, while extended family fit better in pre-industrial society. When Britain began to industrialise, society's needs changed and the family had to adapt. Parsons sees industrial society as having 2 essential needs.
• Parsons: Geographically Mobile Workforce

  In modern society, industries start-up and decline in different parts of the country, and requires people to move where jobs are. Parsons argues it's easier for the compact two-generation nuclear family to relocate, than the three-generation extended family. Meaning the nuclear family is better fitted to the needs of modern industry due to their geographical mobility.
• Parsons: Socially Mobile Workforce (1)

  Modern industrial society is based on constantly evolving science and technology, so it requires a skilled and technically competent workforce- it is essential talented people are able to win promotions, despite their background. Their status is achieved through personal efforts, not ascribed by their social and family background- this makes social mobility possible. Parsons then sees the nuclear family as better able to meet this need.
• Parsons: Socially Mobile Workforce (2)

  In the extended family, adult sons live with their fathers, were they have higher ascribed status. However, at work, the son may have a higher achieved status than his father- this would then give rise to tensions and conflict if they lived together. The solution is for sons to leave home when they marry, and form their own nuclear family. This results in a mobile nuclear family which is 'structurally isolated' from its extended kin- meaning it has no binding obligations to them, allowing the success of the talented.
• Parsons: Loss of Functions

  Pre-industrial society was a multi-functional unit (e.g. a unit of production where families worked together, and a unit of consumption) which made it more self sufficient. Due to industrialisation, family becomes a unit of consumption only, losing its functions to other institutions. Meaning the family now specialises in 2 essential or 'irreducible' functions: primary socialisation, and stabilisation of adult personalities (adults can relax and ease tensions so they can return to the workplace refreshed, ready to meet demands- functional for economic efficiency).
• Evidence against Parsons

  Young and Willmott argue hardship in industrial period gave rise to 'mum-centred' w/c extended families, based on ties between mothers and their married daughters who were reliant on each other for financial, practical and emotional support (this is the Exchange Theory- deciding to maintain family ties due to the costs and benefits involved). Anderson claims the harsh conditions (poverty, sickness, early death, and lack of welfare state) meant maintaining extended family ties outweighed costs. Using older kin for childcare so parents could work for extra income.