FUNCTIONALISM AND THE FAMILY

Question 1

• WHAT DOES MURDOCK SAY ABOUT THE FAMILY?

Answer 1

-MURDOCK SAYS THAT THE NUCLEAR FAMILY IS UNIVERSAL, THIS MEANS THAT IT CAN BE FOUND IN EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
-HE MADE THIS CLAIM AFTER STUDYING 250- SOCIETIES AND FINDING THAT THE NUCLEAR FAMILY WAS PRESENT IN ALL OF THEM

Question 2

• WHAT DOES MURDOCK SAY THE FOUR FUNCTIONS OF THE FAMILY ARE?

Answer 2

1-SEXUAL-THE FAMILY IS A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO SATISFY THEIR SEXUAL NEEDS IN A WAY THAT IS SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE
2-REPRODUCTIVE-HAVING CHILDREN, WITHOUT THIS SOCIETY WOULD NOT CONTINUE
-3-ECONOMIC- ADULTS COOPERATE TO MANAGE AND OBTAIN RESOURCES, ECONOMIC COOPERATION STRENGTHENS THE TIES BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND ENSURES THAT FAMILY MEMBERS ARE TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHERS BASIC NEEDS
-4- EDUCATIONAL-PRIMARY SOCIALISATION, TEACHING CHILDREN THE VALUES AND NORMS OF SOCIETY

Question 3

HOW CAN MURDOCK BE CRITICISED?

Answer 3

-FEMINISTS- SEE THE FAMILY AS SERVING THE NEEDS OF MEN AND OPRESSING WOMEN
-MARXISTS- ARGUE THAT THE FAMILY MEETS THE NEEDS OF CAPITALISM, NOT SOCIETY OR FAMILY MEMBERS
-HIS VIEW OF THE FAMILY IS TOO IDEALISTIC AND IGNORES THE POSSIBILITY OF CONFLICT OR EXPLOITATION IN THE FAMILY

Question 4

WHAT DOES PARSONS SAY ABOUT THE FAMILY

Answer 4

-FUNCTIONAL FIT THESIS- SAYS THAT THE FAMILY CHANGES ITS STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS TO FIT THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY AT THAT TIME
- SAYS THAT PRE-INDUSTRIALISATION, SOCIETY WAS MADE OF EXTENDED FAMILIES DUE TO NEEDING A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE TO MANAGE FARM LAND
-INDUSTRIALISATION MEANT THAT FAMILIES BECAME NUCLEAR AND SOCIETY DEVELOPED 2 NEW NEEDS
1- GEOGRAPHICAL MOBILITY- THE ABILITY BTO MOVE AROUND QUICKLY FOR WORK
2-SOCIAL MOBILITY- ADULTS LEAVE THE HOME TO FIND BETTER JOBS THAN THEIR PARENTS TO AVOID CONFLICT SUCH AS PARENTS TRYING TO CONTROL WAGES

• NUCLEAR FAMILY ALLOWS FOR GEOGRAPHICAL MOBILITY BECAUSE ITS SMALLER IN SIZE

Question 5

WHAT DOES PARSONS SAY THE 2 IRREDUCIBLE FUNCTIONS OF THE FAMILY ARE?

Answer 5

1-PRIMARY SOCIALISATION-TEACHING CHILDREN THE NORMS AND VALES OF SOCIETY
2-STABILISATION OF THE ADULT PERSONALITY- ADULTS PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SECURITY FOR EACH OTHER WHICH REDUCES THE STRESS AND ANXIETY OF EVERYDAY LIFE

Question 6

HOW CAN PARSONS BE CRITICISED?

Answer 6

• ACCUSED OF IDEALISING THE FAMILY
• HIS VIEW IS BASED ON THE AMERICAN MC FAMILY AND IGNORES DIFFERENCES BASED ON SOCIAL DIVISIONS