AQA AS SOCIOLOGY UNIT 1 FAMILY - THEORIES OF THE FAMILY

IN THE EXAM, IF YOU USE A KEY WORD FOR THE FIRST TIME, ESPECIALLY IN AN ESSAY, INTERPRET IT. 

Functionalism is a consensus view that sees society split into four subsystems. One sociologist called Murdock argued that the nuclear family performs four functions:

- Sexual: Most societies have rules limiting sexual relationships outside marriage.

- Reproduction - Having children and then raising them up.

- Economic - The family is a unit of production, providing food and shelter.

- Educational - Socialisation is important because it teaches children the appropriate and adequate norms and values.

Parsons argued that the family has two…