The loss of functions debate sociology

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following was NOT a factor contributing to the dominance of nuclear families during the Industrial Revolution?

  • Increased reliance on welfare systems for the elderly and infirm (correct)
  • The need for skilled labor in new industries
  • Improved communication and transportation networks
  • The decline of nepotism in favor of merit-based employment

What was the primary reason why individuals needed to be mobile during the Industrial Revolution?

  • To seek out better educational opportunities
  • To escape the hardships of rural life
  • To avoid the crowded conditions of cities
  • To find jobs in new industries in growing urban centers (correct)

How did the shift towards merit-based employment impact family structures during industrialization?

  • It increased the dependence on extended families for financial support
  • It created more opportunities for social mobility, breaking traditional family connections (correct)
  • It led to a decrease in the size of families as they no longer needed as many workers
  • It made it harder for families to relocate to urban areas

How did limited communication and transportation systems impact family structures in the pre-industrial era?

<p>They made it difficult for family members to move away from their homes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a correct statement about labor-intensive subsistence agriculture?

<p>It relied heavily on the participation of all family members, including children (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason why extended families were considered to be the norm in pre-industrial society, according to the 'fit' thesis?

<p>They were geographically mobile, allowing individuals to easily relocate for work opportunities in growing urban areas. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the 'fit' thesis, how did industrialization affect the structure of families?

<p>Industrialization led to the decline of extended families, as nuclear families were better suited to the demands of industrial society. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the 'fit' thesis?

<p>It argues that extended families provided a more stable and secure environment for children in pre-industrial society. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sociologists is NOT associated with the 'fit' thesis?

<p>Robert Merton (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements BEST represents the core argument of the 'fit' thesis?

<p>Nuclear families were better suited to the needs of industrial society than extended families. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the 'fit' thesis considered to be controversial?

<p>It oversimplifies the complex relationship between industrialization and family change. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key function of the extended family in pre-industrial society, according to the 'fit' thesis?

<p>Maintaining traditional values and beliefs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST illustrates the concept of ‘labour flexibility’ as it relates to nuclear families in industrial society?

<p>Nuclear families allowed individuals to move to different locations for work opportunities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Anderson, how did industrialization impact the nuclear family?

<p>Industrialization reinforced existing nuclear family structures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements BEST reflects Anderson's critique of Parsons and Goode's 'fit' thesis?

<p>Parsons and Goode reversed the cause and effect relationship between industrialization and the nuclear family. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What evidence does Anderson provide to support his claim that the nuclear family was prevalent before industrialization?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Anderson's analysis of the relationship between industrialization and family structures differ from that of Parsons and Goode?

<p>Anderson reverses the causal relationship between industrialization and the nuclear family, suggesting that the family structure existed before industrialization and was not a consequence of it. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios would best support Anderson's argument?

<p>A study showing that nuclear families were common in rural areas before industrialization and remained prevalent after industrialization. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Functionalism

A sociological perspective that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together.

Nuclear Family

A family unit consisting of two parents and their children.

Extended Family

A family that extends beyond the nuclear family to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives.

Fit Thesis

The argument that industrialisation and urbanisation have changed family structures.

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Geographic Mobility

The ability of families to move to different locations for job opportunities.

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Labour Flexibility

The ability of workers to adapt to different jobs or work arrangements.

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Multi-functional Families

Families that perform a variety of roles related to economic and social well-being.

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Kinship-based Economy

An economic system where families work together, primarily through farming and trades.

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Labour-intensive subsistence agriculture

A type of farming requiring many people to work together, especially during harvest season.

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Limited mobility

The restricted ability of family members to leave their home due to poor transportation options.

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Kin care

Family members providing care for the elderly, sick, or infirm due to lack of a welfare system.

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Nuclear family dominance

A family structure that became popular with industrialization, consisting of parents and their children only.

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Social mobility

The ability for individuals to move up in status or job opportunities, especially in new industries.

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Anderson’s Critique

Michael Anderson's argument that the nuclear family existed before industrialization, contrary to Parsons and Goode's assumption.

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Industrialization and Family

The theory that industrialization caused a shift to nuclear families is disputed by Anderson, who argues it reinforced existing structures.

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Evidence of Extended Families

Anderson provided evidence that extended families existed and persisted among the working class during industrialization.

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Family Adaptation

Families adapted differently to industrialization, according to Anderson, rather than uniformly becoming nuclear.

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Parsons and Goode

Talcott Parsons and William J. Goode's theories which suggested that industrialization caused the nuclear family to emerge.

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Study Notes

Functionalist Perspective on Family Change

  • Functionalists argue families adapt to societal changes.
  • Extended families are common in traditional societies due to their multi-functionality.
  • Industrial societies have less need for extended families as other institutions take on those functions.
  • The “fit” thesis, while suggesting industrialization caused a shift to nuclear families, is challenged by some, such as Michael Anderson.

Pre-Industrial Family Structures

  • Extended families were suited to family-based agriculture.
  • Extended family structures were multi-functional. They supported economic and social well-being of members.
  • They were kinship-based, with a shared economy. Members collaborated in farming, craft trades, brewing, and baking.
  • They were economically productive, providing essential means of survival.
  • Labour-intensive farming required all family members (men, women, and children) to work the land.
  • Limited mobility due to poor transportation.
  • Family members were crucial for elderly, infirm, and sick family members due to the lack of a welfare system.
  • Some argue the nuclear family was common before industrialization, and industrialisation reinforced existing structures.

Industrial Family Structures

  • Industrialization & urbanization led to a shift from extended to nuclear families.
  • Nuclear families provided geographic mobility.
  • Nuclear families aided labour flexibility.
  • People moved to industrial cities in search of work.
  • Decline of nepotism in favour of merit-based promotion within the new industries.
  • People gained social mobility as family connections ceased to be a priority.
  • Extended families continued to exist, particularly among the working class, during industrialization, demonstrating various adaptive strategies.
  • Michael Anderson critiques the "fit" thesis, arguing that the nuclear family's rise wasn't caused by, but might have been reinforced by industrialization, and that pre-industrial nuclear families existed.

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