Outline and evaluate the functionalist view of the role of the family in society (33 marks). Murdock, a functionalist, describes the family as a universal institution based on the nuclear family model. The functionalist view of the role of the family in society is that it maintains social order. The family is a tool for socialisation and a key social institution in sustaining the value that society works by consensus. Murdock identified four main functions of the family: sexual, reproductive
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society as whole is run by and for the benefit of all its members. Early Functionalists such as Durkheim believed that society is made up of many institutions which work together to function. Regarding families, Functionalists believe that the nuclear family is best for society. Functionalists look at what the functions the family performs and they therefore say that the nuclear family is best for society. For example functionalists believe that traditional domestic roles (for the male to play an instrumental
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In this essay I will assess the functionalist views of the role on education. Functionalists agree that education in the form of institutions, such as schools, is the best way to pass on the skills required in society. They argue that school provides secondary socialisation which is when a child is influenced by the surroundings when they are not with their family. The term 'meritocracy' means that the highest social positions are given to the most able people. This provides equal opportunities and
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“The main function of education is to maintain a value consensus in society” According to Item “A” functionalists believe that a Value Consensus is essential for the well-being of society. A Value Consensus is an agreement among society’s members about what social values (such as getting qualifications, learning job skills, etc.) are important. Item “A” also stats that functionalists believe that school is vital because it socialises (this is known as secondary socialisation, this is where children
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claim that the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus in society is portrayed by different sociologists in different ways e.g. feminists believe that to maintain a value consensus in society, patriarchy needs to be abolished. Different theorists believe in different functions of the education system, some think of it as promoting value consensus and some see otherwise. Functionalist Durkheim (1993) identified the two main functions of education were, creating social solidarity
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Education is proven to be the key of success. It is almost impossible for a person to succeed in life, without any level of education. In many people’s opinion education is the most important accomplishment a person can earn. The reason society is well advanced in technology, medicine, and so many other developments are due to an individual effort and high levels of education. There are three theories that help comprehend education, and these are Functionalism, Conflict, and Interactionism theories
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sociological view of functionalists is that value consensus, or 'agreed social values' are an essential part of the wellbeing of society. By this logic, they argue that as school is a method of secondary socialisation, its main function is to maintain this value consensus. Functionalists believe that education within schools, and the existence of the hidden curriculum, is positive. Primary socialisation, amongst the family, teaches us to share views and social values, but the specific views and values
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functionalism and Marxism. Functionalists believe that different parts of society work together to keep the society running whereas Marxists believe societies are unequal and unfair. Both concepts differ in their views of how society operates for instance a Marxist would claim that there are only 2 classes and it is very hard to progress up a class whereas a functionalist would disagree and claim the harder you work, the more you achieve and the better your social position. Functionalists believe society
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working class (the proletariat) unlike the consensus view who believe in meritocracy. (Everyone gets equal opportunities) Althusser (a Marxist) claims that the state consists of two elements to help them keep in control; the ideological state apparatus that controls people's ideas and values. The ISA includes religion, mass media and the education that means that the education system is used by the ruling class as a tool to control people's views and ideas. The second element is the repressive state
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something should be done to solve the social problem. The functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives are the key sociological methods to studying these social problems (Pearson, 1995). The way the main social institutions actually operate is the way the functionalist perspective looks at these schools and society expects the school to generate well educated and skilled adults (Hernandez, 2007). The belief of functionalists is that the responsibility of the schools is to not only
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