Functionalism and the Family

Functionalism and the family

• consensus theory
• social instituations (such as family) must have a function
• family is the cornerstone of society

Murdock - nuclear family is universal and has 4 main functions:

1) Sexual - unregualted sex can be socially disruptive

2) Educational - children taught the norms and values of society (primary socialisation)

3) Economic - family providing food and shelter to sustain child's life - division of labour

4) Reproduction - survival of society

✗ Feminists - more beneficial for men than women

✗ Marxism - meets…