This overview of how functionalism views families and households has four sections.
This is a revision overview and should be used alongside your own written notes and class work.
20 minute read
- Key ideas and theories within functionalism
- Changes in the Functionalist Perspective on Families and Households over time
- Application of functionalism to modern family dynamics
- Criticism and Evaluation of the Functionalist Perspective
Key Ideas and Theories within Functionalism
Functionalism is a macro-level theoretical perspective in sociology that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.
Functionalism is considered a structural theory because it focuses on the social structures that shape society and influence individual behaviour. It views society as a system of interrelated parts, where each part has a function that contributes to the stability and cohesion of the whole.
In the context of families and households, functionalists examine how family structures and relationships contribute to the maintenance of social order and the functioning of society. By understanding the functions of different social institutions, functionalists aim to explain how society remains stable and orderly.
Within the context of families and households, functionalists focus on the functions that these institutions perform to maintain the social system.
Primary Socialisation
Functionalists argue that the family is crucial for the primary socialisation of children, teaching them the norms and values of society. This ensures the continuation of cultural and social norms.
Key Theorist: Talcott Parsons emphasized the role of the family in internalising society’s culture and stabilising adult personalities.
Stabilisation of Adult Personalities
The family provides emotional support and security to adults, acting as a safe haven from the stresses of the outside world.
Key Theorist: Parsons referred to this as the “warm bath” theory, where the family helps to relieve the pressures of work and society.
Reproduction
Families are responsible for producing the next generation, ensuring the continuation of society.
Key Theorist: George Murdock identified reproduction as one of the universal functions of the family.
Economic Support
Families provide for the economic needs of their members, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
Key Theorist: Murdock also highlighted the economic function of the family, where members cooperate economically for mutual benefit.
Sexual Regulation
Families help to regulate sexual behaviour, providing a stable structure for sexual relations and procreation.
Key Theorist: Murdock identified sexual regulation as another universal function of the family.
Social Integration
Families promote social integration by transmitting cultural norms and values across generations.
Key Theorist: Émile Durkheim, although not specifically a family theorist, emphasized the importance of social cohesion and integration through shared norms and values.
Changes in the Functionalist Perspective on Families and Households Over Time
Over time, the functionalist perspective on families and households has evolved, reflecting changes in society.
Modernity and Diversity
In the mid-20th century, functionalists like Talcott Parsons emphasised the nuclear family as the ideal family structure for industrial societies. The nuclear family was seen as functional for society’s needs, such as geographical mobility and a clear division of labour between men and women.
Parsons argued that the isolated nuclear family was best suited for modern industrial society. However, as society has progressed, functionalists like Robert Chester have acknowledged the increasing diversity of family forms, including single-parent families, same-sex families, and cohabiting couples, though they often still view the nuclear family as the most functional.
Critique of Traditional Gender Roles
Early functionalist perspectives often reinforced traditional gender roles, with men as breadwinners and women as homemakers. Over time, there has been recognition of more egalitarian family structures and the importance of shared responsibilities.
John Bell and Hilary Friel in their study on the division of labour within families highlighted the shift towards more equal sharing of domestic tasks between men and women.
Adaptation to Social Changes
Functionalists have adapted their theories to address changes such as the rise in divorce rates, changes in gender roles, and the impact of globalisation on family structures.
Michael Young and Peter Willmott’s study “The Symmetrical Family” (1973) showed the movement towards more symmetrical family roles, with a more equal division of labour.
Application to Modern Family Dynamics
The functionalist perspective can be applied to understand contemporary family dynamics in various ways:
Diverse Family Forms
Functionalists acknowledge the rise of diverse family forms, such as single-parent families, same-sex families, and cohabiting couples. While the traditional nuclear family is still viewed as functional, modern functionalist perspectives recognize that different family forms can also fulfil essential functions.
Shared Responsibilities
The changing roles of men and women in modern families reflect a shift towards more egalitarian structures. Functionalists now consider the importance of shared responsibilities in maintaining family stability and fulfilling economic and emotional functions.
Social Support Networks
In contemporary society, families are part of broader social support networks that include extended family members, friends, and community resources. Functionalists see these networks as crucial for providing emotional and practical support.
Economic Challenges
Modern families face economic challenges such as job insecurity and housing costs. Functionalists examine how families adapt to these challenges to maintain stability and fulfil their economic functions.
Technology and Communication
Advances in technology and communication have transformed family dynamics. Functionalists explore how technology impacts family interactions, socialisation, and the provision of emotional support.
Additional Perspectives on the Functionalist View of Families and Households
Critical Realism
Critical realists argue that while functionalism provides valuable insights into the functions of families, it fails to account for the underlying social structures and mechanisms that shape family life.
Key Theorists
Roy Bhaskar: Known for his work “A Realist Theory of Science” (1975), Bhaskar laid the foundations of Critical Realism.
Margaret Archer: Her book “Realist Social Theory: The Morphogenetic Approach” (1995) is a significant contribution to Critical Realism.
Study: Archer’s study on “Culture and Agency: The Place of Culture in Social Theory” (1988) explores how cultural factors influence social structures and individual actions.
Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic interactionists critique functionalism for its macro-level focus, arguing that it overlooks the micro-level interactions that shape family life.
Key Theorists
George Herbert Mead: His work “Mind, Self, and Society” (1934) is foundational to Symbolic Interactionism.
Herbert Blumer: Expanded on Mead’s ideas and coined the term “Symbolic Interactionism” in his work “Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method” (1969).
Study: Blumer’s study on “Society as Symbolic Interaction” (1969) examines how individuals create and maintain social order through symbolic interactions.
Exchange Theory
Exchange theorists argue that family relationships are based on cost-benefit analyses, where individuals seek to maximise rewards and minimise costs.
Key Theorists
George Homans: Introduced Social Exchange Theory in his work “Social Behaviour as Exchange” (1958).
Peter Blau: Expanded on Homans’ ideas and focused on the role of social exchange in social structures in his work “Exchange and Power in Social Life” (1964).
Study: Thibaut and Kelley’s study on “The Social Psychology of Groups” (1959) explores how individuals evaluate the costs and benefits of social interactions.
Developmental Theories
Developmental theorists highlight the stages of family life and the changes that occur over time.
Key Theorists:
Émile Durkheim: His work “The Division of Labor in Society” (1893) discusses how social structures evolve over time.
Talcott Parsons: His book “The Social System” (1951) examines how societies develop and modernise.
Study: David Apter’s study on “The Politics of Modernisation” (1965) analyses how political systems influence societal development.
Criticism and Evaluation of the Functionalist Perspective
Overemphasis on Consensus and Stability
Critics argue that functionalism overemphasises the importance of social order and consensus, ignoring conflicts and inequalities within families, such as domestic violence and power imbalances.
Marxist Perspective: Marxists argue that the family serves the interests of capitalism by reproducing labour power and maintaining class inequality. They believe that functionalism overlooks the ways in which the family can contribute to the exploitation and oppression of the working class.
Neglect of Family Diversity
Functionalists have been criticised for their focus on the nuclear family as the ideal type, neglecting the diversity of family forms in contemporary society.
Feminist Perspective: Feminists highlight the diversity of family forms and argue that functionalism reinforces patriarchal norms and values. They critique functionalists for ignoring the experiences of women and other marginalised groups within different family structures.
Deterministic View
Functionalism is seen as deterministic, suggesting that individuals are simply products of social structures and institutions without considering human agency and individuality.
Interactionist Perspective: Interactionists emphasise the importance of individual agency and the subjective experiences of family members. They argue that functionalism fails to consider the dynamic and negotiated nature of family life, where individuals actively create and maintain their relationships.
Outdated Gender Roles
The traditional functionalist perspective reinforces outdated gender roles, failing to account for the increasing number of families with dual earners and the changing roles of men and women in society.
Postmodern Perspective: Postmodernists argue that functionalism’s focus on traditional gender roles is outdated in a society characterised by diversity and fluidity. They highlight the importance of recognising the changing nature of family roles and structures in a postmodern world.
Ignorance of Dysfunction
Functionalists often ignore the dysfunctions within families, such as neglect and abuse, and the negative impacts these can have on individuals and society.
Conflict Perspective: Conflict theorists argue that functionalism’s focus on consensus and harmony overlooks the conflicts and power struggles within families. They believe that families can be sites of inequality and oppression, where members may experience exploitation and violence.
20 Quiz Questions
1 What is the primary socialisation function of the family according to functionalists?
2 Which functionalist sociologist emphasized the role of the family in stabilising adult personalities?
3 What is the “warm bath” theory in functionalism?
4 According to George Peter Murdock, what is one universal function of the family?
5 How do functionalists view the economic support function of the family?
6 What does the sexual regulation function of the family entail?
7 Who emphasized the importance of social integration within the family?
8 What did Talcott Parsons argue about the nuclear family in industrial societies?
9 How did Michael Young and Peter Willmott describe the changing roles within families in their study “The Symmetrical Family”?
10 Which functionalist concept explains the economic role of the family in cooperating for mutual benefit?
11 How have functionalists adapted their theories to address changes such as rising divorce rates and changing gender roles?
12 What is the role of families in social integration according to functionalists?
13 Which sociologist highlighted the importance of families in internalising society’s culture?
14 How do functionalists view the role of technology and communication in modern family dynamics?
15 What criticism do Marxists have regarding the functionalist view of families?
16 How do feminists critique the traditional functionalist perspective on families?
17 What is the deterministic view in functionalism?
18 What do postmodernists argue about the functionalist focus on traditional gender roles?
19 How do interactionists critique the functionalist perspective on families?
20 How do functionalists view the rise of diverse family forms in contemporary society?