Is the family universal?

Murdock (1949)

• Functionalist sociologist.
• Conducted a study in 1949 to discover if the family was universal.
• He concluded that the family especially the nuclear family was prevalent in all societies.
• I.e. the family was universal.
• The family is essential for the maintenance and well being of society.
• Only the nuclear family could adequately perform four functions that society needs to function:

1. Primary socialization
2. Reproduction
3. Sexual
4. Economic

Other supporters of Murdock's view

Morris (1969)

• The nuclear family has naturally evolved over to be the most successful type of family in society today.

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