Introduction to the family Test

Define the following terms….

Family

Household

Nuclear family

Extended family

Polygamous

Cereal packet family

Norms

Kibbutz

4 functions of the family according to Murdock

Vertical extended family

Functionalism

Why would the functionalist view of the family sometimes be referred to as the ‘warm bath theory’?

The isolated and ‘private’ nuclear family

The functionalist view suggests that the nuclear family has become         Socially isolated from extended kin         More reliant on the Welfare State         Geographically separated from wider kin The family is self-contained, inward looking with little contact with neighbours and community. Home leisure via TV, Video, Internet etc. have made the family more home-centred .

Functionalist view

Parsons (1902-79) – there are two basic irreducible

functions of the family

• Primary socialisation – through which children learn to accept 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

Talcott Parsons

AS Level Sociology: Webb et al

• P39 – 41

• Read information in pairs and make notes on the following areas

• Summary of Functionalist view• Parsons ‘fit theory’• Evidence against Parsons

Functionalist summary:

• Parsons ‘fit theory’

• Nuclear family Is the ideal family, against other family structures as will not provide male and female role model.

• Ideally man will take the INSTRUMENTAL ROLE – economic and bread winner

• Women take on EXPRESSIVE ROLE – nurturing and caring role

• Murdock – family has 4 functions: sexual; reproductive; education (socialisation); economic

Application of functionalism

Devise a caption/ phrase that explains each picture from a functionalist viewpoint.

Try and include key sociological terms and studies.

Functionalism: An evaluationIt’s a race….

Criticisms

Strengths

Dark side of family

Feminist: patriarchy

Do not consider

alternatives

Diversity of family types

Interpretivists:

Fail to consider meaning of family life for ind members

Highlight importance of family

Family is a central

Life interest

Other perspectives eg New right have highlighted importance of nuclear family

Structuralist app

Functionalism: An evaluation using other sociological research

• Read the information on - Fletcher - Leach - Cooper

Summarize each sociologist in no more than 30 words (unlimited pictures)

Plenary

(a ) Explain what is meant by the term ‘dysfunctional’ (2 marks)

(b ) suggest 2 functions of the family (4 marks)

(c) Suggest 3 criticisms to the functionalist approach to the family (6 marks)

Essay Practice

• (d ) examine the different functions performed by families for individual members and for society. (24 marks)