FUNCTIONALISM THEORIES OF THE FAMILY
Overall view – Functionalist view of the family is that the family is an important institution important for the function
of society and to maintain social order (organic analogy)
THEORIST ONE – MURDOCK
1) Believes the family exists in all societies in different forms and executes FOUR FUNCTIONS.
1. Reproductive – continues to create members for society – helps societies survival/continuation
2. Economic – Pool resources together – Helps keep the economy going
3. Socialisation – Teach norms/values – helps maintain social order/harmony
4. Sexual Regulation – Stable sexual relationship for adults – prevents a ‘free for all’ society (content with
relationship)
AO3:
- Deterministic – assumes all families perform these functions correctly
- Postmodernism – outdated (more diversity in families)
THEORIST TWO – PARSONS
2) FUNCTIONAL FIT THEORY – The role of the family changes depending on the society it is in
The family changed from the extended family in pre-industrial society to the NF in modern society due to the
need to be geographically and socially mobile.
AO3: Willmott and Young – The extended family still exists and performs roles such as free childcare.
3) STRUCTURAL DIFFERENTIATION – The family’s functions have been taken over by institutions, it now
performs two functions;
- Primary socialisation – Teaching children norms and values
- Stabilisation of adult personalities – Providing a haven from the stresses of society
AO3: Radical psychiatry - ignores the dark side of the family (domestic abuse)
THEORISTS THREE – FLETCHER, FINCH AND MASON
Internal critiques of Functionalism – Institutions do not undermine the NF, it is still MULTIFUNCTIONAL e.g. the
welfare state is helping families access basic needs e.g. COVID.
AO3: Deterministic – ignores that some families fail to perform these roles.
THE NEW RIGHT
Overall view – The New Right believe the nuclear family is best as single parents lack discipline and create an
unstable environment for children.
STATISTIC – Lone parents are more than twice as likely to be living in poverty.
THEORIST ONE – MURRAY
SPF’s inadequately socialise children who then turn to crime and subcultures and there is a dependency culture on
the welfare state.
AO3: PALMER – the SPF is not the issue but the reliance on ‘electronic babysitters’ leading to increased crime.
Overall view – Functionalist view of the family is that the family is an important institution important for the function
of society and to maintain social order (organic analogy)
THEORIST ONE – MURDOCK
1) Believes the family exists in all societies in different forms and executes FOUR FUNCTIONS.
1. Reproductive – continues to create members for society – helps societies survival/continuation
2. Economic – Pool resources together – Helps keep the economy going
3. Socialisation – Teach norms/values – helps maintain social order/harmony
4. Sexual Regulation – Stable sexual relationship for adults – prevents a ‘free for all’ society (content with
relationship)
AO3:
- Deterministic – assumes all families perform these functions correctly
- Postmodernism – outdated (more diversity in families)
THEORIST TWO – PARSONS
2) FUNCTIONAL FIT THEORY – The role of the family changes depending on the society it is in
The family changed from the extended family in pre-industrial society to the NF in modern society due to the
need to be geographically and socially mobile.
AO3: Willmott and Young – The extended family still exists and performs roles such as free childcare.
3) STRUCTURAL DIFFERENTIATION – The family’s functions have been taken over by institutions, it now
performs two functions;
- Primary socialisation – Teaching children norms and values
- Stabilisation of adult personalities – Providing a haven from the stresses of society
AO3: Radical psychiatry - ignores the dark side of the family (domestic abuse)
THEORISTS THREE – FLETCHER, FINCH AND MASON
Internal critiques of Functionalism – Institutions do not undermine the NF, it is still MULTIFUNCTIONAL e.g. the
welfare state is helping families access basic needs e.g. COVID.
AO3: Deterministic – ignores that some families fail to perform these roles.
THE NEW RIGHT
Overall view – The New Right believe the nuclear family is best as single parents lack discipline and create an
unstable environment for children.
STATISTIC – Lone parents are more than twice as likely to be living in poverty.
THEORIST ONE – MURRAY
SPF’s inadequately socialise children who then turn to crime and subcultures and there is a dependency culture on
the welfare state.
AO3: PALMER – the SPF is not the issue but the reliance on ‘electronic babysitters’ leading to increased crime.
