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Using Material from Item 2b and Elsewhere, Assess the Contribution of Functionalist Sociologists to Our Understanding of the Family. (24 Marks)

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Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family. (24 marks)

Functionalist sociologists believe that the family is the key institution of society and that it performs vital functions for the maintenance of society as a whole as well as for individual members. According to Murdock, it provides important sub-system that provides stable satisfaction for the sex drive and therefore avoids social disruption. As well as this, Murdock says the family reproduces the next generation and thus ensuring current society to continue.

Parsons argued that the pre-industrial society was focused on the extended family. Roles in these families were always based on social class, not achievement. According to parsons, industrialisation had many effects on the family. This meant that the economy demanded a more geographically mobile workforce. Nuclear families were formed as people moved away their extended kin in order to take advantage of job opportunities. New nuclear family provided the husband and wife with clear social roles. Wives were expressive, Husbands were Instrumental. Parsons concluded that the nuclear family is the only family that can provide the achievement orientated and geographically mobile workforce needed by modern industrial economies.

Functionalists believe the family has specific functions: Stabilisation of adult personality. Parsons spoke about the warm bath theory, where the family relieves stresses of modern-day living for its adult members. Gender Role Socialisation Children learn the behaviour expected of their gender. Murdock argues that the family is the family is regarded as the center of society and sets the rules of how you should behave. Therefore, the family condones the correct behaviour and ensures that children grow up to conform to laws and rules.

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