Functionalist Perspective Flashcards by Eli Adams

Q

Overview

A

Vital organ in maintaining society (biological analogy)
Performs functions- positive impact

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Q

Murdock

4 Functions

A

Sexual
Reproduction
Socialisation
Economic

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Q

4 Functions

Sexual

A

Family allows expression of sexuality in socially accepted context
Stabilises society through committed monogamy

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Q

4 Functions

Reproduction

A

Family provides stability for reproduction + rearing children

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Q

4 Functions

Socialisation

A

Family important for primary socialisation of children
Learn socially acceptable behaviour + culture- build value consensus

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Q

4 Functions

Economic

A

Family unit of production + consumption
Provides food + shelter for family members

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Q

Parsons

2 Functions

A

Primary socialisation
Stabilisation of adult personalities

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Q

2 Functions

Primary Socialisation

A

Learning + internalising societal culture
Society would cease to exist without this
Society’s culture part of an individual’s personality- moulded in terms of societal values, families provide requisite warmth + support

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Q

2 Functions

Stabilisation of Adult Personalities

A

Industrial society- expressive and instrumental roles
Wife’s expressive role reduces tension/stress caused by work
Sexual division of labour stabilises personalities

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Q

Alternate Name for Parson’s Theory

A

Warm bath theory

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Q

Decline of the Extended Family

Why?

A

Shift towards privatised nuclear family due to structural isolation
Loss of functions and links to social institutions

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Q

Decline of the Extended Family

Geographical Mobilty

A

Specialised division of labour requires people to move for work
Often involves leaving extended family members behind- so isolated nuclear family not restrained by responsibilty to kin favoured

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Q

Decline of the Extended Family

Social Mobility

A

HIgher rates of mobility between social classes mean different members of extended family may be in different jobs, differences in education, income, lifestyle, attitudes etc
Differences weaken relations- less in common

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Q

Decline of the Extended Family

Growth in Wealth + the Welfare State

A

People better off and welfare state has taken over functions traditionally performed by the family- education, health, welfare
Reduced dependence on kin in times of need

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Q

Decline of the Extended Family

Growth of Meritocracy

A

More skills/education needed for jobs
What you know valued over who you know- degrades reliance, kin less likely to offer jobs
However, doesn’t apply to upper class

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Q

Decline of the Extended Family

Need to Avoid Conflict

A

Different lifestyles/worldviews and statuses of extended family members living together could create conflict
Adult children move away from the family home to avoid conflict- weakens extended family

Q

Decline of the Extended Family

Stronger Bonds Between Married and Cohabiting Partners

A

Parsons- Bonds between partners mean family not needed for external support
Young and Wilmott- Rising living standards make home more attractive, family life more home oriented

Q

A

Q

Changing Functions

Stuctural Differentiation

A

Parsons
Functions traditionally performed by family are removed/transformed to specific institutions (2 functions left)

Q

Evaluation

Downplays Conflict

A

Murdock + Parsons paint family as harmonious + integrated, downplay conflict
Esp ‘darker side’- child abuse + violence against women

Q

Evaluation

Out of Date

A

Instrumental and expressive role out of date
Relevant in the 1950s, most married women work now
Both partners likely to play both roles

Q

Evaluation

Ignores Exploitation of Women

A

Ignores women’s suffering from the sexual division of labour
Responsibility for housework and children undermines career prospects (e.g restricted hours)
Housework causes stress- mental illness

Q

Evaluation

Ignores Harmful Effects of Family

A

Leach- In modern society, nuclear family inward looking institution, unrealistic emotional standards
Laimy, Esterson, and Cooper- Family destructive and exploitative- smothers individuality + leads to obediance
Feminists- Critical of ignorance of ‘darker side’

Q

Change to Traditional Functions

Reproduction of Population

A

Since 1970s, increase in children + sexual relations before, outside of, alongside marriage

# Change to Traditional Functions Unit of Production

Early 19th century, work moving to offices Families don't produce needed goods (unit of consumption) Skills for working life learnt in schools, workplace, job schemes

# Change to Traditional Functions Maintaining and Caring for Dependent Children

Modern nuclear family less dependent on relatives for help with childcare State welfare + social services + pre/after school clubs + nurseries supplement role of the family

# Change to Traditional Functions Providing Help and Care for the Young, Old, Sick, and Poor

Shared with welfare state through NHS + social services

# Change to Traditional Functions Primary Socialisation and Social Control of Children

Family retains main responsibility for socialisation of children Shared with children's centres, childminders etc as well as free nursery education State education system + media also influence

# Change to Traditional Functions Education

Introduction of compulsory state education removed function from family Children from 5-18 in school, college, or training Family plays role in supplementing and supporting school education

# Change to Traditional Functions Evaluation- Fletcher

Functions weren't carried out previously, now they are Checking health + diagnosing minor illnesses parental responsibilty Social services can intervene, increased parental responsibility Unit of consumption- new function

# Change to Traditional Functions Evaluation- Feminist

Modern family is a unit of production- women's unpaid labour

# Change to Traditional Functions Evaluation- Marxist

Family motivates workers in boring, unfulfilling jobs

# Change to Traditional Functions Disappearance of Extended Family?

Modified extended family highly relevant- links to kin still exist Classic extended famil lives in Asian and w/c communities