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Main Characterists Of Functionalim And How They Apply To The Family

Functionalism is concerned with the basic needs and desire for social order and stability in society. Society is made up of several interconnecting parts.
It is known as the ‘consensus theory’ and consensus approaches see approaches as the basis of social life. Without general agreement, society would collapse with members unable to agree on rules or norm. There would be no cooperation and it would be replaced with conflict. Value consensus provides a harmony of interests in society.
Functionalists believe there are sections that must work together to fulfil functions needed in society. People are socialized into roles and behaviour is structured. Rules and regulations organize relationships of members of the society and values provide guidelines for behaviour, in terms of roles and norms.
Institutions of society such as the family, education, government, industry, religion, and judiciary each have a specific function to fulfil that contributes to the maintenance of the system.
Functionalists see the family as the heart of the social system; a building block to society. The institutions are made up of interconnected roles or norms, such as, wife, mother, husband, father, son, daughter and they believe if one of these goes wrong, then it effects all of the others.
George Peter Murdock argued that the family performs 4 basic functions in all societies: Sexual; controlling sexuality and provides stability. Reproductive; providing new members of society. Economic; the family provides for it’s members. Educational; the family socialises the young into societies norms and values.
Talcott Parsons argued that the family has 2 basic and irreducible functions: Primary socialisation; children learn and accept norms and society. Stability of adults personalities; the family gives adults the emotional support necessary to cope with everyday stress of life.
Criticisms include: functionalists being accused of idealising the family,...