Functionalist View of the Family

1. Functionalist View of the Family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CasRRkQFrS8

2. This means things that effect all of us other social institutions are education and religion Functionalism Functionalists believe every institution in society contributes to the smooth running of society. To functionalists the family is at the heart of society. Murdock (1949) claimed that the nuclear family is so useful to society that it is inevitable and universal (appearing everywhere) Remember him& We looked at him back in lesson 2

3. George Murdock’s Universal Residual Functions George Murdock (1949) conducted a survey of 250 societies and claimed there are four universal residual functions of the family: sexual economic education reproductive

4. Murdock and the Universality of the family • Murdock claimed that he had found evidence of nuclear families in the 250 different societies he studied • The family is universal because it fulfils the following essential functions for society • Sexual – controls sexuality, provides stability for adults • Reproductive – provides new members of society. • Economic – family provides for its members. • Educational – family socialises the young into societies norms and values.

5. Task • How could these 4 functions be performed with out a nuclear family (mum, dad & kids)? • Are these functions still relevant today? Do we still need families? • Use pages 127- 128 to help you

6. Talcott Parsons: Family Stripped of its Functions Talcott Parsons sees the modern family as “stripped” to just two ‘basic andirreducible’ functions: Socialisation of children Stabilisation of adult personalities

7. Talcott Parsons • Parsons (1902-79) – there are two basic functions of the family • Primary socialisation – through which children learn to accept the value the norms and values of society • The stabilisation of adult personalities – the family gives adults the emotional support necessary to cope with the stresses of everyday life

8. Task • Explain in no more than 100 words how Murdoch’s and Parson’s views on the function of the family differ from each other. • Use pages 127 -128 to help you.

9. Functionalism • Criticisms • Functionalists have been accused of idealising the family. • Ignoring conflict and abuse within families • Ignoring gender inequality within families • Ignoring the rising divorce rates • Ignoring growing family diversity Feminists argue that functionalism Ignores women’s paid work

10. Critique of Functionalist View Both Murdock and Parsons reflect the functionalist perspective on family functions The family functions in an over-romantic and idealised way. This referred to as the ‘warm bath theory’ of family.

11. Functionalism tends to focus on the nuclear family but….. • We know that family trends are changing and that not every household contains a nuclear family. What other types exist?

12. Alternatives to the Traditional Family An increasing number of people are rejecting the traditional family: singlehood, gay families, childless couples.

13. Singlehood There has been a dramatic increase in the proportion of one-person households in the past 40 years. 12% of people in Great Britain now live alone. Singlehood is much more popular in the white population than ethnic minorities Many of these are elderly widowed, but not all!

14. Factors Behind Singlehood Increase in numbers of women with careers and education success Women no longer need to be financially dependent upon a man Creative singlehood reflects the growth of the affluent young. Increased divorce rate and separations from cohabitation. More fashionable 'singles' accommodation is available. Delay or rejection of marriage/cohabitation

15. Childless Couples Childless couples reflect the fact that there is less pressure on people to have children. Couples may put lifestyle choice above starting a family. Some couples may be put off by the cost of bringing up a child (over £50,000 from birth to age of 18)

16. Gay and Lesbian Relationships Gay and lesbian couples are often childless But this non-traditional family form is also slowly becoming less of a rarity In 2002 the Government announced plans to make it easier for same-sex couples to adopt children. Medical technology (e.g. surrogacy) allows people to conceive children in non-traditional ways.

17. Use the information from today’s lesson to answers these exam questions • 1 (a) Identify and explain two reasons for the growth in single person households in • the contemporary UK. [17] • (b) Outline and evaluate the view that the nuclear family is the ideal family form. [33] • Use the Murdoch’s functionalist theory to help you

18. Conclusions • There is general support for the loss of functions thesis that argues the family has been stripped of many of its functions. • George Murdock sees the family performing 4 universal residual functions: sexual, reproductive, economic and education (socialisation). • Talcott Parsons sees the family performing two ‘basic and irreducible functions’ socialisation of children, stabilisation of adult personalities. Family and Culture Week 3

19. Conclusions (continued) • There has been a growth in people rejecting traditional family. • 12% of people in Britain now live on their own (almost a third of households). • Couples account for almost a third of households too. • In a less homophobic society there has been a growth of gay and lesbian relationships.