Functionalist Definition of Family

George Murdock's functionalist definition of family emphasizes its role as a fundamental social group.

Definition: A family is a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction, including adults of both sexes $at least two with a sexual relationship$ and one or more children.

Key functionalist beliefs:

• Society is based on value consensus - shared norms and values
• Society functions like a system made up of different parts, similar to the human body
• Families play a crucial role in socializing members and maintaining social harmony

Highlight: Functionalists view society as a system where different parts work together, much like organs in the human body, to achieve shared goals and meet society's needs.

Murdock's Four Functions of the Family

George Murdock's family theory outlines four essential functions that families perform for society:

1. Sexual Function Regulates sexual behavior Teaches appropriate sexual norms
2. Reproductive Function Ensures society's continuation by producing new members
3. Economic Function Families act as units of consumption, contributing to the economy
4. Primary Socialization Passes on society's norms and values to the next generation

Example: The sexual function involves families teaching children that sex should only occur after marriage and between a man and a woman, which helps reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions in society.

Highlight: Murdock claimed that only the nuclear family can effectively teach and perform these functions in society.

Strengths and Criticisms of Functionalist Perspective

Strengths of the functionalist perspective:

• Acknowledges changes between pre-industrial and industrial society
• Provides a positive view of family's role in society

Criticisms of the functionalist perspective:

• Ignores negative aspects $dysfunctions$ of family life
• Overlooks family diversity
• Disregards power imbalances within families

Example: Functionalists ignore that not all families are supportive and loving; some experience domestic violence or contribute to mental illness.

Alternative perspectives:

• Feminist view: Family serves men's needs and oppresses women
• Marxist view: Family meets capitalism's needs, not society's or family members'
• Postmodernist view: Functionalists overgeneralize; should focus on individual family meanings

Functionalism as a Macro Theory

Functionalism is characterized as a macro theory in sociology:

• Consensus theory: Society is based on agreement and shared ideas
• Macro approach: Examines society as a whole, seeking to generalize findings
• Top-down approach: Societal structures and institutions determine individual behavior
• Structural theory: We are products of our environment

Vocabulary: Macro theory - A sociological approach that focuses on large-scale social structures and their impact on society as a whole.

Highlight: Functionalists believe that society functions best when everyone works together, emphasizing the importance of shared norms and values.

Functionalist View on Family Expectations

Functionalists hold specific views on family expectations and behavior:

• Emphasize traditional family structures
• Believe society benefits when everyone adheres to shared norms
• Support a structural, top-down approach to understanding family dynamics
• View individuals as products of their social environment

Example: Functionalists typically favor the nuclear family model as the ideal structure for fulfilling societal functions.

Highlight: The functionalist perspective is often criticized for being stereotypical and not accounting for diverse family forms.

Durkheim and Organic Analogy

Émile Durkheim, considered the founding father of functionalism, introduced key concepts:

• Organic analogy: Society functions like a living organism
• Value consensus: Shared norms and values are essential for social cohesion
• Primary socialization: Families play a crucial role in teaching societal norms

Definition: Organic analogy - A concept comparing society to a living organism, where different parts $institutions$ work together for the smooth functioning of the whole.

Highlight: Durkheim's ideas form the foundation of the functionalist perspective on families and their role in society.

Detailed Examination of Murdock's Functions

1. Sexual Function: Regulates sexual behavior in society Aims to reduce unwanted/teenage pregnancies and abortions Teaches that sex is for marriage and between a man and a woman
2. Reproductive Function: Ensures society's continuation by producing new members Nuclear families typically have 2-3 children to maintain population Any family type can fulfill this function
3. Primary Socialization Function: Educates children about societal norms, values, and attitudes Nuclear families teach children expected behaviors Some families may not perform this function if they disagree with societal norms
4. Economic Function: Families act as units of consumption, contributing to the economy Nuclear families purchase products for family well-being Financial struggles may hinder a family's ability to perform this function

Highlight: Murdock argued that the nuclear family is best suited to perform these functions, though this view has been criticized for ignoring family diversity.

Marxist Perspective on Family Functions

The Marxist view contrasts with the functionalist perspective:

• Focuses on social class and capitalist society
• Believes the working class is exploited by the ruling class
• Examines how family functions maintain capitalism

Marxist view of family functions:

1. Ensure private property is passed on to male heirs
2. Transmit ruling class ideology
3. Act as a unit of consumption

Vocabulary: Capitalism - An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

Highlight: While Marxists and functionalists both examine family functions, they differ in their interpretation of how these functions impact society and class relations.

Strengths of Marxist Perspective on Family

The Marxist perspective offers valuable insights into family dynamics:

• Useful for examining class inequality
• Provides relevant explanations for social issues related to family

Highlight: Marxism complements the functionalist perspective by addressing power imbalances and economic factors that functionalism often overlooks in family analysis.

Overall Summary of Functionalist Perspective on Families

The functionalist perspective on families and households, primarily developed by George Murdock and other sociologists, views the family as a vital social institution that performs essential functions for society's stability and continuity.

Key points:

• Families are based on common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction
• Society operates on shared norms and values $value consensus$
• Families perform four key functions: sexual, reproductive, economic, and socialization
• The nuclear family is seen as the ideal family structure
• Critics argue this view ignores family diversity and dysfunctions
• Contrasts with Marxist, feminist, and postmodernist perspectives on family