Sociology Presentation: Family Theories and Functionalist Critique

This presentation delves into the functionalist perspective on the family within sociology, exploring its core tenets and contributions to societal stability. It highlights the functionalist view of the nuclear family, its roles in socialization, and the provision of stable relationships, referencing key theorists such as Parsons and Murdock. The presentation then provides a comprehensive critique of the functionalist perspective from a feminist standpoint, addressing issues of gender roles, power dynamics, and the potential disadvantages faced by women within traditional family structures. Furthermore, it touches upon alternative perspectives, such as those from postmodernism and Marxism, which further challenge the functionalist assumptions. The presentation also discusses the four functions of the family according to Murdock, including the biological reproduction of society, teaching of social norms, engaging in monogamous relations and meeting economic needs. The presentation also provides the views of different feminist theorists like liberal, Marxist and radical feminists.

SOCIOLOGY

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY
• The functionalist sociologists are of the
opinion that family plays a vital role in
shaping the society from the perspective
of the society (Thompson 2019).
• The functional fit theory of parson can be
given as an example as to how
functionalists see the family.
• The factor of sex drive monogamy can
also be quoted as an example.

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY_CONTD.
• According to the beliefs of functionalist theory,
the traditional gender roles have been
prescribed by the several theorists.
• Family is also crucial in social aspects as well.
According to Parsons, the need for nuclear
family is also helpful so needs of industrial
society could be met (Thompson 2019).
• There have been some contrasting beliefs in
this issue as well.

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY_CONTD.
• One important theory that can be ascribed to
this issue is that of the structuralism theory.
• Critics like Murdock have also argued that
nuclear family has gained much importance in
this age.
• According to the feminist theory, nuclear
family will not be able to perform the roles of
the whole society (Turner and Holton 2014).

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY-contd
• The functionalists have often claimed the
fact that nuclear family will be very much
important for the modern society. The
critics belonging to postmodernism and
Marxism have completely rejected this
fact. On the other hand, functionalists
have felt that the system of society will
depend on each other. They think family
is the ‘basic building block for society’
(Thompson 2019).

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY-CONTD.
• As a criticism, feminists have argued that women
have been disadvantaged in the traditional family
structures.
• More research works on anthropology have shown
that some cultures like Nayar does not have the
concept of family (Thompson 2019).
• Parsons has brought out the perspective of the
functional fit theory. He argues that family structure
in society can be changed as people progress.

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY_contd.
• As per Murdock, there are generally four
functions of the family (Thompson 2019).
• They are the biological production of their
next generation to continue the society,
teaching of basic social norms and values to
the young people in the society, engaging in
monogamous relations to achieve stable
satisfaction in sex drive and meet the
economic needs of the members.

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY_contd
• Feminists have believed in the factor that gender is
constructed on the social basis. The norms and
behaviors of the family members are essential to
learn the role of family.
• This view is somewhat different from that of
functionalist theories (Thompson 2019). The
concept of feminism regarding family is now divided
between three segments; liberal feminists, Marxist
feminists and radical feminists (Turner and Holton
2014).

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY_contd
• The stable monogamous relationship is
highly important because it would not
cause chaos through sexual “free for all”
(Thompson 2019).
• A liberal feminist like Jennifer Somerville
has pointed out those modest reforms in
family policies that could lead to better
position of women within the society.
• The solutions should be found regarding
the inequality to women in families.

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY-contd
• Critics like Talcott Parsons has argued that
the current norm in the industrial societies
to engage in the nuclear family because it is
quite important for the benefits of the
family members. The mobile labor
workforce will be highly motivated by the
nuclear families. They have also argued that
need for extended family is decreasing
(Turner and Holton 2014).

FAMILY AND SOCIOLOGY_contd
• According to critics like Parsons, there
are mainly two types of functions that
families have to perform.
• One is the primary socialization in which
children will be taught the norms and
values of the society (Beckford 2019).
• The other is stabilization ault
personalities that are also given the
name of warm bath theory.

REFERENCES
• Beckford, J.A., 2019. Religion and advanced industrial
society(Vol. 9). Routledge.
• Thompson, K. (2019). Feminist Perspectives on the Family.
[online] ReviseSociology. Available at:
https://revisesociology.com/2014/02/10/feminist-perspectives-
family/ [Accessed 30 May 2019].
• Thompson, K. (2019). The Functionalist Perspective on the
Family. [online] ReviseSociology. Available at:
https://revisesociology.com/2014/02/09/functionalist-perspective-
family/ [Accessed 30 May 2019].
• Turner, B.S. and Holton, R.J., 2014. Talcott Parsons on Economy
and Society (RLE Social Theory). Routledge.