functionalists perspective on families

Question 1

what does Durkheim claim about all institutions?

Answer 1

that they are all integrated.

Question 2

what does Durkheim say the family plays an important role in ?

Answer 2

in maintaining social stability, though socialising children into the norms of society

Question 3

What does Parsons say the families two main functions are within the structural differentiation process?

Answer 3

the socialisation of children and the stabilisation of adult personalities.

Question 4

what is the process called that institutions have become increasingly specialised?

Answer 4

structural differentiation

Question 5

what is the word for the internalisation of norms and values?

Answer 5

socialisation

Question 6

what does Parsons describe the male role as within a family?

Answer 6

the instrumental male role, where the male is the breadwinner

Question 7

who does Parsons associated the expressive role in a family with?

Answer 7

the female

Question 8

what is meant by ‘the dark side of the family’ ?

Answer 8

the negative aspects of family.

Question 9

what are two examples of ‘the dark side of the family’?

Answer 9

1. conflit
2. domestic violence

Question 10

what is a criticism of the functionalists view on families?

Answer 10

they ignore ‘the dark side of the family’