Functionalist Views in the Family

The functionalist theory of family suggests that the nuclear family has developed to suit the needs of modern industrial society. This idea is known as the fit thesis. The characteristics that make the nuclear family suitable for modern society are that people are no longer relying on wider family networks for survival and they are geographical mobile. They move where the work is. The fit thesis has been challenged by historians of family on a number of points. However, Parsons argues that the family fulfils two functions for society:

• The socialistion of children
• The stabilisation of the adult personality

In this view of the family, it fulfils vital functions of society. Children are taught the rules for society from their parents, thus it is part of social control. They learn gender roles from their parents, thus are socialised to become future adults themselves. Women pass on expressive roles to their daughters, and so the welfare of family members is ensured.

Murdock…