The Functionalist View of the Family

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  • Created by: kulsuma.
  • Created on: 16-10-16 21:21
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  • The Functionalist View on the Functions of the Family
    • Murdock
      • 4 essential functions
        • Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
          • Sex fulfils parents individual sexual and emotional needs
            • Bonds adults together
        • Reproduction of the next generation
          • Essential for society to survive
          • Man and woman
            • Children will be properly socialised and economically supported
        • Socialisation of the young
          • Murdock refers to as education
          • Teaching of society's shared norms and values
            • Male and female input
        • Meeting its members economic needs
          • Food and shelter
          • Economic co-operation
            • All members will be economically supported
              • No-one will have to rely on the state or handouts
    • Parsons
      • 'Functional Fit' Theory
        • Functions of family depends upon the society in which it is found
        • Pre-industrial society
          • Extended family best met the needs
          • Agricultural
          • Ascribed status
          • People lived and worked together
      • 'Loss of Functions' Argument
        • The pre-industrial family (extended family) was a multi-functional unit
          • It was more self sufficient than the modern nuclear family
          • Provides the needs of individuals and society
            • Family educated each other
            • Family looked after each other
        • Industrialisation changed the family structure from extended to nuclear
          • Loss many of its functions
        • Modern nuclear family specialises in performing just two essential functions
          • The primary socialisation of children
            • Teaching the norms and values of society
          • The stabilisation of adult perosnalities
            • Also known as Warm Bath Theory
              • Adults can relax and release tensions
                • Allow them to return to workplace refreshed
                • Helps adult personalities stabilise
                  • Makes family members content
            • Functional for the efficiency of the economy
        • Unit of production to unit of consumption
      • View on the Domestic Division of Labour
        • Expressive role relieves tension of Instrumental role
          • Expressive role
            • Women
              • Nurturing, caring and emotional role
              • Provides security to children and male partner
          • Instrumental role
            • Men
              • Family breadwinner/provider
        • Sexual division of labour
          • Jobs divided into men's jobs and women's jobs
            • Stabilises personality

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