Functionalism In Families And Societies

Functionalism In Families And SocietiesFunctionalists resume the family as a nuclear family structure, i.e. a mother, father and 1 or 2 children. Murdock surveyed 250 societies from the sm tot every(prenominal)y hunting tribes to the large industrialised societies. He demonstrate that in every connection at that place was almost form of a nuclear family, he concluded from this study that the nuclear family was universal. Murdocks definition of a nuclear family isWithin the frame tame of the nuclear family, Murdock identified with four family functions which if were ignored, society would non exist. Sexual, Reproduction, Economic and Education were the four functions. Similar to Murdock, Tallcott Parsons another functionalist had his possess notions of what functions the nuclear family should contribute to society. He cerebrated that there were two important roles indoors the family Expressive and Instru custodytal. The womens role was the Expressive role as she was the on e who raised, nurtured and taught the children the norms and value indoors the home. The mans role was the Instrumental role because he went start to work to provide financial security for his family. Parsons also identified the family as world the primary agent of socialisation and came up with the warm bath surmisal primary socialisation (norms and value) and stabilisation of adult personalities (support and love for the adults inside the family.CriticismsFunctionalists view of the family is similar to a fairy tale, because they ignore the family dynamics and in few families the darker side i.e. abuse, neglect and violence through male domination.MarxismA loss perspective of the family saw the family as a means of production and threepenny labour whereby they are influenced by capitalism in a capitalistic society. bolshies identified three main functions which they saw as a trend for the family to fulfil for capitalism. Inheritance of Property means that in order for office to be handed stilt to a legitimate heir, sexual relationships exigency to be restricted to one person, thus the offspring would be strain related. For this to happen,The monogamous nuclear family developed with the emergence of private property, in item the private ownership of the forces of production, and the advent of the state, (cited in Haralambos, M. 1985. 340)The second function is the ideological Functions which families need to fulfil by socialising children with the ideas that there exit continuously be bosses and workers within a capitalist society. The last function looks at the Unit of Consumption whereby families work to produce goods, which are bought by the families to modify them to be fed and clothed, which bring greater profit for the capitalists.CriticismsMarxists ignore the assorted structures of families which are found in todays society and with this the different roles within the family. feminist movementFeministic views of the family are spli t into 3 groups, similar to that of the key perspectives. Liberal feminists believe that both the male and the females wealthy person equal roles within the family when it comes to the family unit chores and childcare. Marxist feminists view the women as the producer of future workers and womens oppression stems from capitalism and not the family. Radical feminists view of the family structure is one of patriarchal and that men are seen as the enemy. This type of family within society is also seen by feminists as the key institution in its contribution to maintaining social controlCriticisms completely three branches of feminism view the nuclear family as the most rife unit within society, as well as believing that all members of the family serve society, performing different functions.Post ModernistA post stylish view of the family is at the opposite ends of the scale to functionalism. Post forward-lookingists believe that in most societies there are diverse and multi-cultural types of families where members within these units are innocent to make their own life choices as to how, what and where they live, work and socialise within society. Post modernists also believe that everyone is entit conduct to the same opportunities in information, health care and family support as in their view, there are no phratry divisions (working and ruling classes), in most societies. Zietlin et al summarises this view of the world,The post modern world is shaped by pluralism, democracy, religious freedom, consumerism, mobility and increasing access to password and entertainment, (Zietlin class handout 2009. 92)CriticismsBecause of their views of equal opportunities and freedom of speech and choices they ignore the position that some people can and do make wrong choices with regards to ignoring the norms and values which are passed down the generations which inevitably upsets the social control aspects in some societies.How the roles and relationships of the family a fford change over time.Sociologists view childhood as sociable Construction because they are biologically distinct from adults, (Harris, M. 2008.44)For this reason I will explain the question in two parts.ChildrenThe role of the child within a pre-industrial family (pre 1750), was one of equal standing. As soon as the child could walk and talk they were taught the family trade and were expected to carry on the family tradition. aft(prenominal) the industrial revolution came the emergence of the industrial family (1800-1900), when children as young as 6 or 7 were sent to work in factories and down coal mines to bring money into the family home, however this brought about higher mortality rates because children werent as strong as adults. The mortality rates went into go down when the modern industrial family emerged (1900-2000), this is because children were starting to be seen as children and not as cheap labour. Experiences of childhood began to emerge for the majority of childr en within families, however there are still some societies today that still send their children out to work, but this is now not the norm in todays world.Gender roles and relationshipsDuring the pre-industrial geezerhood both men and women worked together with other family members. However this all changed in the midst of 1750 and 1900 when women were expected to stay at home and be responsible for household chores, childcare and producing the future workforce. This type of family structure was very patriarchal the men had the power so they were the dominators in the family. However this started to change when the modern industrial family emerged between 1900 and 2000, as more women were given the opportunity to become educated, this led to more women in the workforce. This led the family to share the household chores and the childcare and sometimes swap roles within the family if the man became unemployed.Diversity of the contemporary family structureWhat is a family? This quest ion has been raised by many sociologists and the majority of these have all had different opinion. However in answer to this question, a family can be the nuclear or extended type of family, which are 2 or 3 generations living under one roof. This type of family was more park pre-1750 when families worked with and supported each other, and which still does happen in some cultures and societies i.e. Asiatic families. Other types of family structures which are more common in Britain today are the one parent families, the step families, the divorced families and the gay and lesbian families who have children. Families today are extremely diverse and multi-cultural through social influences from the media, education and global improvements.ConclusionThroughout this assignment I have stipendiary particular attention to the different views of Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism and Post Modernism. I have given an military rank of each perspective and have briefly describe the changes in roles, relationships and structures within families. I have concluded in my evaluation that my opinion of families and households is one that in todays society of choice, freedom, diversity and multi-cultural structures that post contemporaneity is by far the best view and explanation of society today.