1. Functionalist View on the Role of the Family in Society
(Revision Notes Only)
>Nuclear Families (N.F) are the most functional type of families for society & Individuals
> Two generations living together (Parents/ Children)
> 2.4 Children (Ave.)
> Heterosexual Relationship between parents.
> Married parents
> Expressive Role (Female)
(Domestic Chores, Childcare, Emotional work – ‘Homemaker’)
> Instrumental Role (Male)
(Paid Employment – ‘Breadwinner’)
> The N.F is a Vital Institution in society that contributes to Social Solidarity (which is
essential for society to function harmoniously). The N.F does this by meeting some of
society’s basic needs i.e. Functional Pre-Requisites (F.Ps)
> Murdock (1949) – studied over 250 societies and claimed that the N.F has 4
fundamental key functions i.e. The N.F meets 4 of society’s F.Ps:
1) Teaching Socially Approved Sexuality For each function do the following:
>Explain what it is
2) Reproduction >Explain why it is so
3) Primary Socialisation important for society
4) Economic Function > Explain why the N.F
might be best suites to
perform the function.
> Evaluate
> Murdock argues that as the N.F family is best suited to perform these functions, the N.F
‘is a universal institution’ i.e. it can be found all around the world in various societies and
will always remain more popular than other family types.
> Parson (1955) – follows this functionalist view of the family but argues that the N.F has
lost some of its functionsdue to Structural Differentiationbut has kept 2 ‘irreducible
functions’ i.e. the N.F meets 2 of society’s F.Ps:
For each function do the following:
> Explain what it is
1) Primary Socialisation > Explain why it is so
2) Stabilisation of Adult Personalities important for society
> Explain why the N.F
might be best suites to
perform the function.
> Evaluate
> Parsons argues that different types of families suit different types of societies that have
evolved through time. He argues that now that society is in its ‘Modern Post-Industrial
Stage’ the N.F ‘fits best’ – this is known as Parsons’ ‘Functional Fit Theory’ (see
functional fit notes for the detail of this argument).
Evaluation (This needs to be fully explained in detail):
> Ignores the Dark Side of Family Life and the fact that families can be dysfunctional
> Ignores family diversity and may be outdated

2. > It can be accused of being Ethnocentricit ignores Cross-Cultural Diversity.
>Leech, Laing & Cooper – N.F are destructive, inward looking& the source of all our
discontents.
> What would Marxists have to say about the N.F?
> What would Radical and Marxist Feminists have to say about the N.F?