Functionalist On The Family Flashcards
(32 cards)
What does functionalist say about the family ?
Stress the positive aspects of the family favouring nuclear family
What are the theorist for Functionalism
- Peter Murdock
- Talcott Parsons
- Six other functions
What does Murdock say about the family ?
Family is a nuclear institution with universal function for the well-being of society and it does this in four ways
What are the four functions mentioned by Murdock ?
- Reproductive
- Sexual
- Economic
- Educational
What is the reproductive function of the family according to Murdock ?
Society needs new members to survive
What is the sexual function of the family according to Murdock ?
Emotional bond between parents, sex for social order and stability
What is the educational function of Murdock ?
Culture needs to be transferred to children and norms and values need to be taught to children by parents
What is the economic function of the family according to Murdock ?
Family provides shelter, food , income contributing to a smooth society and economy
What is the evaluation of Murdock ?
Ignoring diversity and value judgment of diverse family forms
What is the ignoring diversity evaluation of Murdock ?
Murdock ignores how family relationships and forms take different forms even in the same society
- different ways in raising up family differs based on religious beliefs, economic opportunity
- educational function differs based on class so family is not universal
What is the value judgement evaluation of Murdock ?
Implies that certain types of parenting e.g single, foster or homosexual is not as beneficial as two heterosexual and heterosexual is clearly stating there’s a right and wrong in organising family
What does parsons say about the family ?
Family acts as bridge between children and involvement in wider society by internalising shared norms and values which they belong
What are the two most important functions of the family according to parsons ?
- Primary socialisation of children
- Stabilisation of adult personalities
What is primary socialisation of children according to parsons ?
Teaching children norms and values of society so they can learn culture
By primary socialisation of children according to parsons , what will teaching children norms and values help to produce ?
Value consensus and continue for society to run smoothly
According to parsons: socialisation of children what was the role of the mothers ?
Expressive leaders biologically suited to look after the cultural and emotional development of children, looking after children and household
How did parsons: primary socialisation of children see nuclear family ?
Personality factories
Parsons:socialisation of socialisation , why did parsons sees nuclear family as personality factories ?
Churning out young citizens committed by rules, patterns of behaviour and beliefs system
Parsons:stabilisation of adult personalities, what theory does parsons refer to ?
Warm bath theory
Parsons:stabilisation of adult personalities , how does family act as a warm bath ?
Family acts as a stable, loving , warm environment where individuals can destress and let themselves go
Parsons:stabilisation of adult personalities, by family acting as warm bath what does it do ?
Emotional support , safety valve and strengthens social stability , safe haven “home sweet home” people can act natural themselves
What are the evaluations of parsons ?
- sexist
- assumes children are passive
What does parsons sexist evaluation say ?
- Assumes men and women will perform separate roles and they have equal status
- nuclear family is based on male dominance according to Feminist
- role of stabilisation of adult personalities fall on women and women have little support
Parsons: assumes children are passive evaluation ?
Assumes that children are waiting to be filled with norms and values but socialisation is actually a two way process , children can socialise parents as much as they socialise them
