FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS:
KNOWLEDGE BOOKLET
, Section 1:
SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON THE FAMILY
,Perspective 1: FUNCTIONALISM
MURDOCK - Nuclear family is the best as it meets all societies’
needs through x4 main functions:
1. SEXUAL GRATIFICATION – Nuclear family promotes monogamy
between a
man and a woman who have a sexual relationship approved by wider
society
2. REPRODUCTION – Nuclear family reproduces and socialises the
next generation
3. E MOTIONAL SUPPORT – Nuclear family are there in times of
need
4. E CONOMIC SUPPORT – Nuclear family provides food, water,
money and shelter
ADVANTAGES:
● Two gender role models
● New Rights would agree that the nuclear family is the best
DISADVANTAGES:
● Marxists would suggest that the nuclear family reproduces
capitalism e.g. the WC reproduces the next generation of
workers and socialises them to believe that capitalist
exploitation is reasonable
● Ignores the darker side of the family e.g. domestic violence
and child abuse
● Ignores that some families have low income and therefore can’t
provide
● functions as well as other families
● EDHOLM: the nuclear family is not the best: what makes the
nuclear family
● superior? Family is a social construction based on cultural
norms!
, ● SCANZONI ET AL: we should use the term ‘primary
relationships’ instead of
● family
● CHEAL: no one really knows what the family is
● Ignores diversity e.g. living apart together (DUNCAN AND
PHILLIPS)
● Other family types can provide functions
● Feminists argue the nuclear family is patriarchal
● Married couples don’t always live in harmony
PARSONS
The pre-industrial extended family has become an isolated nuclear
family to fit the needs of modern society.
Reduction of functions due to the state taking over the role of the
family e.g. family used to care for the sick and elderly, now the
state provides hospitals and care homes:
1. Primary socialisation
2. Stabilising adult personalities (family is a place to relax and
refresh for the next day)
DISADVANTAGES
● Marxists would suggest that the nuclear family reproduces
capitalism e.g. the WC reproduces the next generation of
workers and socialises them to believe that capitalist
exploitation is reasonable
● Feminists would argue that Parsons is sexist as it was the role
of the womanthat has been taken over by the state – blames
the rise in feminism
● Ignores that all families don’t live in harmony, the family is not
always a placeto relax
● LASLETT: Only 10% of families were extended the nuclear
family was the norm anyway
● ANDERSON: Extended family was common among WC to save
money
Perspective 2: NEW RIGHT:
● Nuclear family is the norm.
KNOWLEDGE BOOKLET
, Section 1:
SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON THE FAMILY
,Perspective 1: FUNCTIONALISM
MURDOCK - Nuclear family is the best as it meets all societies’
needs through x4 main functions:
1. SEXUAL GRATIFICATION – Nuclear family promotes monogamy
between a
man and a woman who have a sexual relationship approved by wider
society
2. REPRODUCTION – Nuclear family reproduces and socialises the
next generation
3. E MOTIONAL SUPPORT – Nuclear family are there in times of
need
4. E CONOMIC SUPPORT – Nuclear family provides food, water,
money and shelter
ADVANTAGES:
● Two gender role models
● New Rights would agree that the nuclear family is the best
DISADVANTAGES:
● Marxists would suggest that the nuclear family reproduces
capitalism e.g. the WC reproduces the next generation of
workers and socialises them to believe that capitalist
exploitation is reasonable
● Ignores the darker side of the family e.g. domestic violence
and child abuse
● Ignores that some families have low income and therefore can’t
provide
● functions as well as other families
● EDHOLM: the nuclear family is not the best: what makes the
nuclear family
● superior? Family is a social construction based on cultural
norms!
, ● SCANZONI ET AL: we should use the term ‘primary
relationships’ instead of
● family
● CHEAL: no one really knows what the family is
● Ignores diversity e.g. living apart together (DUNCAN AND
PHILLIPS)
● Other family types can provide functions
● Feminists argue the nuclear family is patriarchal
● Married couples don’t always live in harmony
PARSONS
The pre-industrial extended family has become an isolated nuclear
family to fit the needs of modern society.
Reduction of functions due to the state taking over the role of the
family e.g. family used to care for the sick and elderly, now the
state provides hospitals and care homes:
1. Primary socialisation
2. Stabilising adult personalities (family is a place to relax and
refresh for the next day)
DISADVANTAGES
● Marxists would suggest that the nuclear family reproduces
capitalism e.g. the WC reproduces the next generation of
workers and socialises them to believe that capitalist
exploitation is reasonable
● Feminists would argue that Parsons is sexist as it was the role
of the womanthat has been taken over by the state – blames
the rise in feminism
● Ignores that all families don’t live in harmony, the family is not
always a placeto relax
● LASLETT: Only 10% of families were extended the nuclear
family was the norm anyway
● ANDERSON: Extended family was common among WC to save
money
Perspective 2: NEW RIGHT:
● Nuclear family is the norm.
