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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)