Theories on the family - FUNCTIONALISM

Question 1

What four things does murdock argue are the functions of the family?

Answer 1

1. stable satisfication of sex drive
2. reproduction of next generation
3. socialisation of the young
4. meeting its members’ economic needs

Question 2

What does Murdock mean by satisfication of the sex drive?

Answer 2

the nuclear family contains two adults will prevent the social disruption.
* relationship is monogamous ( only have sex with one individual),

• prevents the social disruption caused by sexual ‘free - for - all’ → society see marriage as ideal goal to strive towards

Question 3

What did Murdock mean by reproduction of the next generation?

Answer 3

next generation created
* Murdock encourages nuclear family as produce next generation
stabilised marriage
- Allows society to continue - so nuclear family is needed

Question 4

What did Murdock mean by socialisation of the young?

Answer 4

• Murdock argues through this process, members of society socialised into dominant culture with various norms and values needed
• Prevents any form of potential criminality

Question 5

What does Murdock mean by the family meeting its members’ economic needs

Answer 5

• Murdock argues that the family is really important as it meets the financial needs of the family.
• Instrumental role → father provides economic security → shelter / food
  If male didn’t do this had to rely on the state

Question 6

Criticisms of Murdock

Answer 6

• Ignores diversity - postmodernism
  Argues that the sheer practicality of the nuclear family is to meet the four needs explains why it is universal.
  Some argue that the functions could be performed by other institutions / other non- nuclear family structures
• Toxic childhood → not work properly if family has a bad time
• Feminists and marxist argue that functionalism neglects conflict and exploitation
• Marxist - argue that the it meets the needs of capitalism, not those of family members or wider society
• Feminism - see the family as needs of men and oppressing women

Question 7

What does Parsons argue ?

Answer 7

The functional fit theory that

Argues that the particular structure and functions of family will fit the needs of the society in which it is found.

Question 8

What are the two types of family parsons acknoqledges and what time periods does he attribute these to?

Answer 8

Extended family - modern pre - industrial society
* Less factories → agriculture increased
* Living in rural areas
* Status ascribed
* No social mobility / meritocracy

Nuclear familiy - industrial society
* growth of child centredness
* living in urban areas
* secularisation

Question 9

What are the two needs parsons classified needed for an industrial society?

Answer 9

1. geographically mobile workforce
2. A socially mobile workforce

Question 10

Why is the nuclear family most geographically mobile?

Answer 10

In pre industrial - people spent whole lives in one village

• In modern society - industries constantly fluctuating in different parts of country
  people move to where jobs are
• So Parsons argue it is easier for the compact nuclear family to move then extended → so nuclear family is better suited to modern industry need for geographically mobile workforce

Question 11

What does parsons mean by the loss of functions?

Answer 11

structural diffrentiations - insitutions have taken over the roles the family once carried out so therefore it has lost functions

Question 12

what does parsons state is the two functions the nuclear familiy specialises in

Answer 12

1. Primary socialisation of children - equips them with basic skills society values to be able to co -operate and integrate
2. Stabilisation of adult personalities - the family is a place for adults to relax and release tension - enabling them to enter worked refreshed and ready to work → functional for the efficiency of economy