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Intensive Revision Lecture 3
A Functionalist Perspective
3 main questions
1. What are the functions of the family?
2. What are the functional relationships between the family and other part of the social system?
3. What are the functions of the family for its individual members?
G.P. Murdock (1949) - The Universal Functions of the Family
Sexual
Reproductive
Economic - Life would cease to exist
Educational - There would be no culture -
Society without culture could not function.
Clearly the family does not fulfil these functions exclusively. It is however the most effective way.
Once this is realized - "The immense utility of the nuclear family and the basic reason for its universality thus begin to emerge in strong relief." (Murdock, 1949)
How does it function for society and individuals?
Family's functions for individuals and society are inseparable. Serving one and the other at the same time.
The sexual function -
Husband an wife have the right of sexual access to each other, and there tend to be rules forbidding or limiting sexual activity outside marriage.
This provides sexual gratification for the spouses strengthens the family and stabilizes society. It stabilizes society because it prevents the disruptive effects on the social order if there was a sexual 'free play'.
So the family provides 'control and expression' of sexual drives.
"No society has succeeded in finding an adequate substitute for the nuclear family, to which it might transfer these functions. It is highly doubtful whether any society will ever succeed in such an attempt." (Murdock, 1949)
Criticism of Murdock
Could these functions be performed by other institutions?
"(T)o what extent are these basic functions inevitably linked with the institution of the nuclear family." (Morgan, 1975)
Too good to be true -
" Murdock's nuclear family is a remarkably harmonious institution. Husband and wife have an integrated division of labour and have a good time in bed." (Morgan, 1975)
Talcott Parsons - The basic and irreducible functions of the family
Primary socialisation of children.
Stabilization of the adult personalities of the population of society.
Primary Socialization refers to the early childhood and usually takes place within the family. Secondary socialization occurs later when the family is less involved, with other agencies (school, peer groups)
Primary socialization - internalization of society?s culture
Structuring of the personality.
If culture were not internalized, then society would not exist, because there would be no shared norms and values. In terms of American society these values are independence and achievement motivation.
Stabilization of Adult Personalities
Emphasis on the marriage relationship and the emotional security the couple provide for each other. It acts as a counter balance to the stresses and strains of every day life.
Particularly important in Western countries because the nuclear family is isolated from the kin.
Husband and wife can also act out childish whims, give and receive emotional support, recharge their batteries and stabilize their personalities.
Criticisms of Parsons
Idealizing the family with his picture of well adjusted children, sympathetic spouses and may have little relationship with reality.
American middle-
class family. As D.H.J. Morgan (1975) states,
?there are no classes, no regions, no religious, ethnic or status groups, no communities? in Parsons?s analysis of the family.
He does not recognize that some functions are not necessarily linked to the family. If other agencies can take over economic functions then why are the remaining functions ?basic and irreducible?.
He sees the socialization process as a one way exchange of personality from parents to child. His scheme doesn?t account for children who twist their parents around their little finger. Or Little Emperors.
The family is not clearly isolated from other institutions or aspects of social life and therefore cannot be seen to perform or fulfil particular functions in isolation.
Family continued...
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