Sexual: expressing sexuality in a socially approved context
Reproduction: family provides stability for reproduction/rearing of children
Economic: family provides food and shelter for family members
Socialisation: children learn socially acceptable behaviour of society, helping to build shared beliefs/ideas that stabilise and maintain society
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Parson's Functions of the Family
Primary socialisation of children: socialises children into accepting society's basic norms and values - teaches culture
Stabilising adult personalities: family provides stability from threats of industrial society (lack of power, work, money, independence, boredom) - sexual division of labour helps avoid destabilisation
Sexual division of labour: the way the roles of the family are split
Expressive role: woman provides warmth/security/emotional support - HOUSEWIFE
Instrumental role: male breadwinner role - leading to stress and destabilisation of adult personality
Warm bath theory: family = warm bath relieving male stress
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Pre-Industrial to Industrial Family
Geographical mobility: small family unit = easier to move for jobs
Increasing social mobility: varying jobs/pay = weaker kin links
Decreasing family functions: pay for healthcare/childcare = less reliance on kin
Strengthened bond between partners: protects family stability
Meritocracy: what you know, not who - less need for kin support
Avoid economic/status conflict: kin with varying jobs/pay
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CRITICISM: Groups Contradicting Universal Nuclear
Kibbutz: children raised in age groups in childrens' homes - responsibility of whole family
Nayar: women in sexual relationships with up to 12 men - don't know father of children - brother responsible for mother and kids
Foster care: link between natural parents/children = seperate
Gay/Lesbian: different family type
2010: Elton John surrogate
2004: civil partnership
2014: same sex marriage in UK
Lone parent family
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CRITICISM: Groups Contradicting Universal Nuclear
Kibbutz: children raised in age groups in childrens' homes - responsibility of whole family
Nayar: women in sexual relationships with up to 12 men - don't know father of children - brother responsible for mother and kids
Foster care: link between natural parents/children = seperate
Gay/Lesbian: different family type
2010: Elton John surrogate
2004: civil partnership
2014: same sex marriage in UK
Lone parent family
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CRITICISM of Parsons and Murdock
Loss of family functions
Fletcher denies loss - family has increased functions
Health and Welfare
Economic - female unpaid economic/domestic role
Out of date
Parsons = 1950s housewife
Young and Wilmott: joint conjugal roles
BUT Bott: men only do 15% housework, 25% childcare
Downplays conflict
Ignores dark side of family
Parent conflict
Child abuse
Domestic violence
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CRITICISM of Parsons and Murdock cont.
Ignores exploitation of women
Undermines paid employment
Womens' hours restricted
Stress leads to mental illness
Duncombe and Marsden: triple shift
Harmful effects of family
Isolation from kin = families demand/expect too much from each other
Conflict in nuclear family
Existence of extended family
Extended kin maintain support through modern transport and social media
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CRITICISM: Changes in Society Weakening Nuclear Fa
Womens' rights
Female does not equal expressive role - changes structure
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