For those who have their final exams, or those who want a quick simple revision material for a mock test, this document summarises the functionalist view of families. It is easy to memorise with key words and pictures of the theorist, so when it comes to revision you spend less time putting informa...
Functionalism
Functionalism looks at the role the family plays in the maintenance of the social system. The family
meets certain basic needs of prerequisites of the family. They see the family as the organic analogy
and an essential part or important body/organ of society which maintains social order and cohesion.
Name of Keywords Name and explanation of theory Criticisms
sociologist
George Nuclear family - Murdock defines family as - D.H Morgan
Murdock 4 basic functions: having a common residence, points out that
sexual, economic co-operation and if the family is
reproductive, reproduction. really
socialising and - They have one or two necessary or if
economic children and have a secually other
Male and female approved relationship. institutions
role model - Traditional view of the could take
Unit of family is the nuclear family, over and
production which performs four basic provide similar
Unit of functions: sexual, functions to a
consumption reproductive, socialising family such as
Sheer practicality and economic. youth clubs.
- These are universal
- Family is the most important
institution for reproduction
and nurture (socialising) of
children.
- Individuals work for wages,
which makes them a unit of
production
- They also are a unit of
consumption as they
consume goods and services.
- As a result they contribute
to the flow of income.
- Murdock says that the
nuclear family is practical.
Bell and Vogel Dysfunctional - They highlight the
Emotional dysfunctional aspects of the
scapegoat family
Stabilising - In a nuclear family the
influence children tend to be the
Macro emotional scapegoats for
sociological parents
theory - They acknowledge that even
Whole of society if it is dysfunctional for the
child, it has a stabilising
influence on the family,
which also means society.
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