Perspectives On The Role Of The Family: Functionalist Accounts Of How The Family Benefits Its Members And Society And How The Functions Of Families Have Changed Over Time, Including The ‘loss Of Functions’ Debate. (Copy)
1. Functionalist View: Key Ideas
| Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Consensus theory | Family maintains order + stability |
| Organic analogy | Family = vital organ in the “body” of society |
| Value consensus | Family teaches shared norms/values |
| Social integration | Family binds individuals to society |
2. How Family Benefits Society (Functionalists)
Murdock (1949) – Four Universal Functions
| Function | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual | Regulates sexual behaviour | Monogamy reduces conflict |
| Reproductive | Produces next generation | Children ensure continuity |
| Economic | Provides food/shelter | Shared household labour |
| Educational (Socialisation) | Teaches norms/values | Manners, language, gender roles |
3. How Family Benefits Its Members
Parsons – Two Key Functions of the Modern Nuclear Family
| Function | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Socialisation | Teaches children culture | Language, beliefs |
| Stabilisation of Adult Personalities (“Warm Bath Theory”) | Emotional support reduces stress | Comfort after work |
Other Benefits
| Benefit | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional support | Warm, caring environment | Parents comforting children |
| Economic support | Shelter, income, resources | Food, housing, education |
| Identity formation | Creates belonging | Family name, traditions |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
4. How Family Functions Changed Over Time (Functionalist View)
Parsons’ Structural Differentiation
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Institutions take over old family roles | Schools, hospitals, welfare replace many family functions | Education → schools; healthcare → hospitals |
| Nuclear family becomes specialised | Focused on socialisation + emotional support | “Two functions only” |
5. The ‘Loss of Functions’ Debate
Functionalist Argument: Family Has Lost Functions
| Lost Function | Now Performed By | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Schools | Teaching maths, science |
| Healthcare | Hospitals | Births now medicalised |
| Welfare | State agencies | Benefits, social services |
| Production | Factories/markets | No more home-based production |
Why Loss Happened
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Industrialisation | Shift from extended to nuclear family |
| Urbanisation | Smaller households, mobility |
| Specialisation | Experts take over key roles |
| State policies | Welfare, education, protection systems |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
6. Counter-Arguments: Does the Family Still Perform Important Functions?
| Counter-Claim | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Family still socialises children | First, most important socialisation agent | Manners, discipline |
| Economic support still crucial | Parents pay for food, housing, education | Majority needs family income |
| Emotional support now more central | Mental health support | Family bonding |
| Family adapts rather than declines | New roles instead of old ones | Dual-income families, child-centredness |
7. Criticisms of Functionalist View
| Criticism | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Too idealistic | Ignores conflict, abuse |
| Assumes harmony | Families not always stable |
| Ignores diversity | Assumes nuclear family is universal |
| Western bias | Extended families still common worldwide |
| Overemphasises consensus | Ignores power inequalities (feminists, Marxists) |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
8. Quick Revision Table
| Functionalist | Key Idea |
|---|---|
| Murdock | Four universal functions |
| Parsons | Two specialised functions in modern nuclear family |
| Loss of Functions | State + institutions took over old roles |
| Strengths | Stability, socialisation, emotional support |
| Weaknesses | Ignores diversity, conflict, inequality |