Understanding the Question and Functionalist Views
Before diving into your essay, you need to define your key terms clearly. Family refers to a group of two or more people connected by birth, marriage, adoption or living together in a long-term relationship. Primary socialisation is simply the process where children learn social rules and values from their parents.
Functionalist sociologists strongly agree that primary socialisation is the family's main job. They argue that families pass on norms, values, and belief systems that help society function smoothly. According to this view, mothers take the "expressive role" - focusing on emotional care and cultural development - while fathers play the "instrumental role" as breadwinners.
However, these functionalist ideas face serious criticism in modern society. Many women now work outside the home, and the theory completely ignores families with same-sex parents. The traditional gender roles seem outdated when you look at how families actually work today.
Quick Tip: Always include a criticism of each sociological perspective to show balanced evaluation skills.
