Functionalist View of the Family

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CasRRkQFrS8

Functionalism

Functionalists believe every institution in society contributes to the smooth running of society.

To functionalists the family is at the heart of society.

Murdock (1949) claimed that the nuclear family is so useful to society that it is inevitable and universal (appearing everywhere)

This means things that effect all of us other social institutions are education and religion

Remember him&We looked at him back in lesson 2

George Murdock’s Universal George Murdock’s Universal Residual FunctionsResidual Functions

George Murdock (1949) conducted a survey of 250 societies and claimed there are four universal residual functions of the family:

sexual

education

economic

reproductive

Murdock and the Universality of the family• Murdock claimed that he had found evidence of

nuclear families in the 250 different societies he studied

• The family is universal because it fulfils the following essential functions for society

• Sexual – controls sexuality, provides stability for adults

• Reproductive – provides new members of society.

• Economic – family provides for its members.

• Educational – family socialises the young into societies norms and values.

Task• How could these 4 functions be

performed with out a nuclear family (mum, dad & kids)?

• Are these functions still relevant today? Do we still need families?

• Use pages 127- 128 to help you

Talcott Parsons: Family Talcott Parsons: Family Stripped of its FunctionsStripped of its Functions

Talcott Parsons sees the modern family as “stripped” to just two ‘basic and irreducible’ functions:

Socialisation of children

Stabilisation of adult

personalities

Parsons (1902-79) – there are two basic functions of the family

• Primary socialisation – through which children learn to accept the value the norms and values of society•The stabilisation of adult personalities – the family gives adults the emotional support necessary to cope with the stresses of everyday life

Talcott Parsons

Task• Explain in no more than 100 words

how Murdoch’s and Parson’s views on the function of the family differ from each other.

• Use pages 127 -128 to help you.

Criticisms1. Functionalists have been accused of

idealising the family.2. Ignoring conflict and abuse within

families3. Ignoring gender inequality within

families4. Ignoring the rising divorce rates5. Ignoring growing family diversity

Functionalism

Feminists argue that functionalism

Ignores women’s paid work

Critique of Functionalist Critique of Functionalist ViewView

The family functions in an over-romantic and idealised way.

This referred to as the ‘warm bath theory’ of family.

Both Murdock and Parsons reflect the functionalist perspective on family functions

Functionalism tends to focus on the nuclear family but…..• We know that family trends are

changing and that not every household contains a nuclear family. What other types exist?

Alternatives to the Traditional Alternatives to the Traditional FamilyFamily

An increasing number of people are rejecting the traditional family: singlehood, gay families, childless couples.

SinglehoodSinglehoodThere has been a dramatic increase in the proportion of one-person households in the past 40 years.

12% of people in Great Britain now live alone.

Singlehood is much more popular in the white population than ethnic minorities

Many of these are elderly widowed, but not all!

Factors Behind SinglehoodFactors Behind SinglehoodIncrease in numbers of women with careers and education success

Delay or rejection of marriage/cohabitation

Women no longer need to be financially dependent upon a man

Creative singlehood reflects the growth of the affluent young.

More fashionable 'singles' accommodation is available.

Increased divorce rate and separations from cohabitation.

Childless CouplesChildless CouplesChildless couples reflect the fact that there is less pressure on people to have children.

Couples may put lifestyle choice above starting a family.

Some couples may be put off by the cost of bringing up a child (over £50,000 from birth to age of 18)

Gay and Lesbian Relationships

But this non-traditional family form is also slowly becoming less of a rarity

Gay and lesbian couples are often childless

In 2002 the Government announced plans to make it easier for same-sex couples to adopt children.

Medical technology (e.g. surrogacy) allows people to conceive children in non-traditional ways.

Use the information from today’s lesson to answers these exam questions• 1 (a) Identify and explain two reasons for the

growth in single person households in• the contemporary UK. [17]

• (b) Outline and evaluate the view that the nuclear family is the ideal family form. [33]

• Use the Murdoch’s functionalist theory to help you

Family and Culture Week 3

18

ConclusionsConclusions• There is general support for the loss of functions

thesis that argues the family has been stripped of many of its functions.

• George Murdock sees the family performing 4 universal residual functions: sexual, reproductive, economic and education (socialisation).

• Talcott Parsons sees the family performing two ‘basic and irreducible functions’ socialisation of children, stabilisation of adult personalities.

Conclusions (continued)Conclusions (continued)• There has been a growth in people rejecting

traditional family.

• 12% of people in Britain now live on their own (almost a third of households).

• Couples account for almost a third of households too.

• In a less homophobic society there has been a growth of gay and lesbian relationships.