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Unlock This CourseFunctionalism is one of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology that views society as a complex system of interconnected parts working together to maintain stability and social order. When functionalists study families, they focus on how families contribute to the smooth running of society as a whole.
Key Definitions:
Functionalists view the family as a positive and necessary institution that performs vital functions for society. They believe the family is the foundation of social order and that without families, society would struggle to operate effectively. Functionalists tend to focus on the nuclear family as the 'ideal' family structure for modern industrial societies.
The main functionalist thinkers who developed theories about family functions include George Peter Murdock, who identified four universal functions of the family and Talcott Parsons, who focused on two essential functions that families perform in modern society. Their ideas have shaped how sociologists understand family roles.
George Peter Murdock (1949) studied hundreds of societies and claimed that the family performs four essential functions in all societies. He believed these functions were universal - meaning they exist in all societies around the world.
Families provide a framework for controlling and regulating sexual activity. Marriage gives adults a socially approved way to satisfy their sexual needs. This helps maintain social order by preventing sexual competition and conflict. It also ensures children are born within stable relationships.
Families are responsible for producing the next generation of society members. By having children, families ensure the continuation of society. Murdock argued that all societies need new members to survive and the family is the primary institution for producing and raising these new members.
Families are responsible for teaching children the norms, values and skills they need to function in society. This process, called primary socialisation, happens in the early years of life and shapes how children understand their culture and their place in society. Parents teach children language, basic skills and appropriate behaviour.
Families work together as an economic unit to provide for their needs. This includes producing or earning resources (like food or money) and sharing these resources among family members. In traditional societies, families might work together on farms, while in modern societies, adults typically work outside the home to earn money.
Murdock's conclusions were based on a study of 250 societies ranging from small hunting and gathering bands to large industrial societies. He found that some form of family existed in every society, though the structure varied (nuclear, extended, polygamous). This research formed the basis of his argument that the family is a universal social institution performing the four essential functions. His work was published in his book "Social Structure" (1949).
Talcott Parsons focused specifically on the nuclear family in modern industrial society. He argued that as society industrialised, the family lost many of its traditional functions (like education, which moved to schools) but retained two essential functions that no other institution could perform as effectively:
Parsons argued that families are crucial for teaching children the basic norms and values of society. During the first few years of life, children learn language, basic social skills and cultural expectations from their parents. This early socialisation creates the foundation for all future learning and social development. Parsons believed that without this function, children would struggle to become functioning members of society.
According to Parsons, the family provides emotional support and a place where adults can relax and feel secure. In the competitive world of work, adults face stress and pressure. The family acts as a "safe haven" where adults can receive emotional support, reducing tension and helping them cope with the demands of modern life. This function helps maintain psychological well-being and prevents social disruption.
Functionalists like Parsons believed that for families to function effectively, there needed to be a clear division of roles between men and women:
The instrumental role involves being the breadwinner and making decisions for the family. This role is focused on the relationship between the family and the outside world. Parsons argued that men were naturally suited to this role because of their physical strength and rational thinking abilities. The instrumental role provider works outside the home to financially support the family.
The expressive role involves caring for children, providing emotional support and maintaining harmony within the family. This role focuses on relationships within the family. Parsons claimed women were naturally better at this role because of their nurturing capabilities. The expressive role provider manages the household and ensures the emotional wellbeing of family members.
Parsons developed what is known as the "fit thesis" - the idea that the nuclear family with its specialised gender roles perfectly "fits" the needs of industrial society. He argued that geographical mobility required for industrial work meant extended families were impractical, while the nuclear family was small enough to move where jobs were available. The division of labour between husband (breadwinner) and wife (homemaker) was seen as efficient for meeting both economic needs and family care needs. This theory was particularly influential in explaining family structures in 1950s America.
While functionalist theories were once dominant in sociology, they have faced significant criticism in recent decades:
Functionalist theories promote traditional gender roles that many now consider sexist and restrictive. They fail to recognise that women can succeed in instrumental roles and men can perform expressive roles effectively.
Functionalists focus on the nuclear family and often ignore or undervalue other family forms like single-parent families, same-sex families and extended families that function successfully in society.
Functionalist theories tend to ignore negative aspects of family life such as domestic violence, child abuse and inequality within families. They present an overly positive view of family relationships.
Despite these criticisms, some aspects of functionalist theory remain relevant to understanding families today:
Many of the functions identified by functionalists are still performed by families today, even if they're shared with other institutions. Families still provide emotional support, socialise children and offer economic cooperation, though the ways these functions are carried out may have changed.
Modern functionalists have updated their theories to recognise diverse family forms and changing gender roles. They argue that what matters is that family functions are fulfilled, not the specific structure of the family or who performs which roles within it.
In your exam, you'll need to show both understanding and critical evaluation of functionalist theories. Make sure you can explain the key ideas of Murdock and Parsons, but also demonstrate awareness of their limitations. Good evaluation points include: the theories reflect their time period (1940s-1950s), they present an idealised view of family life, they ignore power inequalities within families and they struggle to explain family diversity in contemporary society. For top marks, consider how some functionalist ideas might still be relevant today despite these criticisms.