Functionalist Views on the Family

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Questions and Answers

According to Murdock, what is the core unit of extended families, even when other relatives are present?

The nuclear family

What change in family structure has led to less frequent contact with wider kin in modern industrial societies?

Increased isolation of the nuclear family (sometimes called the isolated nuclear family) from extended family and the rest of society.

Identify two functions of the family, according to Murdock.

Reproduction and socialisation

What does 'economic provision' involve in the context of families?

Organising for family survival through paid and unpaid work, supporting dependent members. Signup and view all the answers

According to Parsons and Bales, what major shift has occurred in the family's functions in modern societies?

The family has become more specialized and less multi-functional. Signup and view all the answers

What two essential functions did Parsons believe remained with the family in modern societies, despite the loss of other functions?

Primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary socialisation function of families, according to Parsons?

Families teach children values and norms, preparing them for adult roles. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'stabilisation of adult personalities' function involve in the family context?

Providing emotional and physical support to adult members. Signup and view all the answers

Fletcher identified two broad types of family functions: core functions and peripheral functions. What are the core functions of the family?

Childbearing and child-rearing Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of peripheral functions of the family, functions that have largely been taken over by other institutions?

Education, healthcare, and recreation. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four characteristics of a family, according to Murdock?

According to Murdock, the four characteristics of a family are common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction, adults of both sexes who maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted. Signup and view all the answers

How does Murdock's definition differentiate the family from other social groups?

Murdock's definition distinguishes the family from other social groups by focusing on its unique characteristics, such as common residence, economic cooperation, and a socially sanctioned sexual relationship, which are not typically found in other social groups like schools. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of 'polygamy' and how it fits into Murdock's definition of the family.

Polygamy is a marriage system where one person has more than one spouse. It can be polygyny (one man with multiple wives) or polyandry (one woman with multiple husbands). Murdock's definition is flexible enough to include these forms, as it emphasizes the presence of adults in a socially approved sexual relationship, not the specific number of partners. Signup and view all the answers

What are the limitations of Murdock's definition of the family?

Murdock's definition excludes single-parent and homosexual households, which are considered families in many modern societies. Additionally, it doesn't account for the changing dynamics of families and the diverse living arrangements evolving in contemporary societies. Signup and view all the answers

What is Giddens' alternative definition of the family, and how does it address the limitations of Murdock's definition?

Giddens suggests a more inclusive definition of the family based on kinship and the general relationships that distinguish families from other social groups. He emphasizes the importance of kin connections and adult members taking responsibility for childcare. This definition acknowledges the diversity of modern family forms, including single-parent and homosexual families, which Murdock's definition doesn't encompass. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'loss of functions' debate in relation to the functions of the family?

The 'loss of functions' debate refers to the argument that the family has lost some of its traditional functions over time, particularly with the rise of modern institutions like the welfare state and the decline in the influence of religious institutions. Critics argue that these institutions have taken over some of the roles previously fulfilled by the family. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'nuclear family' and its importance in Murdock's view of family structure?

The nuclear family consists of parents and their children, forming a two-generation unit. Murdock argues that the nuclear family is the universal social unit, suggesting that it's the most fundamental and widespread family structure found in all societies. Signup and view all the answers

Despite the advancements in family definitions and the 'loss of functions' debate, what makes the family a vital social institution?

Despite the changes and debates surrounding the family, it remains a vital social institution because it provides essential functions like emotional support, socialization, and economic security. It also serves as a primary source of love, intimacy, and identity for its members. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Nuclear Family

A self-contained family unit focused on direct members.

Isolated Nuclear Family

Refers to the separation of the nuclear family from wider kin.