Theories of the family: Functionalist Perspective

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  • Theories of the family: Functionalist Perspective
    • What is a family?
      • (AQA Definition) A social institution consisting of a group of people related by kinship ties: relations of blood, marriage/ civil partnerships, or adoption. Cohabiting couples not linked by kinship are also regarded as a family unit.
    • What are the functions of the family?
      • Five functions of the family:   - Caring of the young, old. sick, and poor.              - Unit of Production.    - Primary socialisation and control of children.         - Education of children.     - The stabilisation of adult personalities.
      • This family portrays the nuclear family type.
      • In the functionalist perspective, this would be the typical family, which follows the 'universal' nuclear family type.
    • What types of family?
      • Nuclear family
      • Fictive Kin
      • Kinship (networks)
      • Single-parent families
      • Extended families
    • Murdock (1940s) said that the family has 5 major roles:
      • 1. Regulates sexual behaviour.       - Same partner, preventing the social disruption caused by a sexual 'free-for-all'.
      • 2. Reproduction of the next generation.    - Without which society could not continue.
      • 3. Socialisation. - Teaches the young the values of society.
      • 4. Economic    - The family income supports its members.
      • 5. Emotional   - Provides warmth in a competitive world.
      • Studied 200 societies
    • Parson's Functional Fit Theory
      • Pre-industrialised society - Extended family
        • Larger family - Many functions
      • Industrial society - Nuclear family
        • Smaller family - fewer functions
          • Criticism - Fit isn't as neat
    • Overall Evaluation
      • Positive
        • Link to New Right
        • Functional Fit Theory - Some of it makes sense
      • Negative
        • Deterministic
        • Feminism - Ignores oppression of women/ public private divide
        • Out of date - 1950s, can't explain diversity
        • Downplays conflict - darker side of the family

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