The Usefulness of Functionalism for an Understanding of the Family

661 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The role of family in society

The Usefulness of Functionalism for an Understanding of the Family Functionalists focus on the roles of the family as an institution and its interaction with other institutions, such as the ratio of functions the family has to perform compared to those that other institutions such as schools and the NHS perform. Functionalism sees the use of the family in society and how it can take pressure from the government by becoming an almost dependent institution that will help support its own members. George Murdock analysed 250 societies and studied the purpose of the family, he came up with a final definition; that the family performs several main functions. These functions help the individuals within the family; Murdock believed the functions are sexual, educational, economic and reproductive. However, Murdock did not consider that the family may have a detrimental affect on members of the family as he seemed to assume that all families are harmonious and do not have any arguments or problems. He also overlooked alterna...

Show More
Related

  • Changing Family Structure in America from a Functionalist Perspective

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Leave it to Beaver” was a popular sitcom about a traditional nuclear family played out through the perspective of an adolescent boy whose curiosity and antics often got him into trouble (TV.com). Despite the show promoting positive family values, it also inadvertently shed light on a historically dark period of time in American history. One such instance was the lack of diversity on the show. Nearly 100% of the show’s characters were white throughout the six-season, 234 episode series. In the single episode that depicted an African-American, the character was a servant, further a reflection of the times when African-Americans where predominantly seen and treated as second-class citizens (Leaveittobeaver.org). However, this 1950’s ideal serves as a reference point to what typical families looked like and how vastly different they look now.

    Read More

  • Sociology: Dramatic Changes To the American Family

    1018 Words  | 3 Pages

    A family is a group of people consisting of the parents and their children who live together and they are blood related. The family is always perceived as the basic social units whether they are living together in the same compound or at far distance but are closely related especially by blood. Therefore, the family unit has had a great influence on the growth and the character traits possessed by the children as they grow up and how they perceive the society they live in. the family also shapes the children to be able to relate well with other people that are not part of their family and with a good relationship it impacts to the peace achieved in country. This paper addresses the reasons as to why the family is considered the most important agent of socialization. It’s evident that families have changed over time and they have adopted different ways of living. This paper also tackles on the causes of the dramatic changes to the American family and what the changes are. Different people with different race, gender and preferences make the family unit and this makes the difference in marriages. This will also be discussed in this paper.

    Read More

  • Lev Vygotsky's Theory Of Family

    530 Words  | 2 Pages

    The topic of this paper focuses on the effects of family addictions on the identity stability in infancy. Family plays a key role on the effects of identity stability, and how it ties into addiction beginning with the birth and infancy. Addiction is a very complex disease, and research continues to evolve concerning how addiction takes control over the individual and their life, whether it starts at infancy, adolescence, or young adulthood, etc. Although there are many theories in in human development that relate to addiction the focus here is on Lev Vygotsky’s theory on cognitive development. An explanation of this theory will later be explained, as well as to how Vygotsky’s theory effects family addiction on the identity stability in infancy. Discussion on the research finding will be explained, and show cause to how it links to the topic at hand. Any flaws related to the research findings, and those findings influence personal behaviors and values. In closing the paper will provide how the findings can be applied in a professional setting. We begin with discussing how important parents, and family roles play in infancy development, and how easily unhealthy family roles can lead to a child’s addiction later in life, by what they observed, or learned during infancy.

    Read More

  • The Family Systems Theory And The Family-Development Theory

    964 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since the 20th century, researchers have sought out solutions to help assist families and the individual components that make up family systems overcome the challenges and schisms that can inhibit individuation and stability. Two theoretical perspectives, the family-systems theory and the family-development theory, were conceived to gain as Balswick & Balswick (2014) noted, gain “a wide-angle view of family life” (p. 22). Though these two theories have merit, one I found to be more advantageous in gaining a better understanding of the family as an actively metastasizing organism, which needs to be approached more adaptively.

    Read More

  • Family Systems Theory

    1148 Words  | 3 Pages

    The family structure is made up of individuals living together in intimate groups with the purpose of caring and supporting each other. Rules and boundaries, spoken and unspoken, are developed by the family members. Family rules and boundaries change and shift over time in order to evolve and grow as a family unit. Some changes are subtle, but some events force major change within the family system. This paper applies the concepts of systems theory to the family system in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Reese Witherspoon (Melanie Smooter) and Josh Lucas (Jake Perry) star in this heart-warming film telling a story of a young woman who flees from Alabama to reinvent herself in New York City as a high fashion designer. She leaves behind her redneck husband and white-trash upbringing. Melanie finds herself engaged to the cities most eligible bachelor and has to return to Alabama to request a divorce from her first love and confront her past ("Alabama," 2002).

    Read More

  • Family Systems Theory

    944 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Richard Charles (2001) “the effectiveness of family systems theory rests not much on empirical research but on clinical reports of positive treatment outcomes, the personal benefits experienced by the families that underwent this kind of treatment, and the elegance of Bowen’s theory” (p. 279). Bowen’s family systems theory views the family as an emotional unit and is a theory of human behavior. Systems thinking are used to describe the complex interactions in the unit. However, the client’s ability to differentiate himself/herself from the family of origin is the basis for Bowen’s family systems theory. In addition, the primary focus for growth within the emotional system is differentiation of self. Differentiation of self will be explored as well as how it relates to a church congregation.

    Read More

  • Assess The Functionalist View Of The Family

    1565 Words  | 4 Pages

    Discuss the functionalist views of the role of the family in society The traditional family would be the nuclear family. It consists of a father, a mother, and two or three children adopted or biological. In this nuclear family, the two parents are generally married. Functionalists stress the positive aspects of family.

    Read More

  • Functionalist Theory Of Blended Family

    1227 Words  | 3 Pages

    A family I might come across professionally would likely be a blended family. Not only do people get divorced more frequently now but my career field puts a lot of stress on families leading to even higher divorce rates. Blended families are already quite common and are less stigmatized than in the past. While I am not from one or having one anywhere in my family I did know some in school and the kids were just like everyone else.

    Read More

  • Functionalist Perspective On Family Analysis

    461 Words  | 1 Pages

    The functionalist perspective views the family as they perform six paramount functions which are reproduction, protection, socialization, regulation of sexual behavior, affection and companionship, and provision of social status. Reproduction has to happen to replace dying members. Protection is in all cultures, it’s normal to have the responsibility to protect and up bring the children. Socialization happens so kinfolk and parents monitor their kid’s behaviors and transmit their norms, values, and language of their culture. Regulation of sexual behavior is where the sexual norms are subject to change over time.

    Read More

  • Sociology of Family

    1149 Words  | 3 Pages

    "A family is a small social group of people related by ancestry or affection, who share common values and goals, who may live together in the same dwelling, and who may participate in the bearing and raising of children. They have a physical or emotional connection with each other that is ongoing" (Vissing, 2011) and is the foundation of all societies. They can be formed by a grouping of father-mother-children or even more complicated combination of relatives. In the primary stage of family life in the United States, everyone from every generation lived together in one house. Subsequently, the idea of traditional family evolved and a married couple with children is at present, often called the traditional family. There are many types of families; however, this paper will focus on the traditional family. It will describe how the functionalist perspective, conflict perspective, and the interactionism theory apply to the sociological institution known as a family. It will explain some of the similarities and differences between the sociological theories in regards to families and how they affect the family members.

    Read More

  • Sociological Theories and the Family

    1721 Words  | 4 Pages

    This paper will examine sociological theories and how they relate to the social institution of the family. We typically view society as a group of people, but in sociology, society is not a group of people but a social organization. People are molded by society to fit within the accepted societal bounds. Society must be understood using “the meanings that people put on their values and beliefs” (Bartle, 2010). Within sociology there are three major perspectives. These are the Functionalist, Conflict and Interactionist Perspectives. Each perspective views society in different manners, with each being correct and relevant since social institutions are too complex to be defined by any one theory. Each perspective will be used to explain the perspectives’ relevance to the family.

    Read More

  • The Family As A Social Institution

    3202 Words  | 7 Pages

    Sociologists look at society from either a macro or micro view and the theories that define their work are based on those perspectives. There are several family theories that we learned about this semester. Briefly, Structural-Functionalism and Conflict Theory are “macro” theories in sociology. Structural-Functionalism sees society as a living machine made up of different parts which work together for the good of society. Individuals, as well as Institutions work together, and the family is the key to the well-functioning machine. Emile Durkheim, considered the Father of Sociology argues social solidarity, where people do the right thing, create harmony and have shared values. According to Durkheim the nuclear family is the only type of institution that can achieve that. Conflict Theory sees society as a pyramid with those at the top having more power and influence than those at the bottom. Males in society have more power than females. There is a power imbalance, which could lead to oppression o...

    Read More

  • Structural Functionalism: The Invisible Boundaries Of Family

    690 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout history, families have served as an essential social unit amongst all cultures. It has served as a way of preparing its members with the necessary behaviors, skills, and knowledge to enter society. This assignment will discuss and address the ten concepts when assessing families. While assessing the family component, it is important to understand the different roles and responsibilities held by the all its members and the impact they have on one another. Structural Functionalism is a theory that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to support solidarity and stability (CITE).

    Read More

  • Family: The Most Important Functions Of Family

    1652 Words  | 4 Pages

    What do you personally believe are the most important functions of family? Why or why not be specific. The most important functions I will say is social unit. This shows a person from a child to adult what it means to be part of society. There not just one specific function that makes a perfect family. There are many factors that help make a better family. According to www.hrsbstaff.ednet.ca_of_the_family.htm “ A functional family is one in which family members fulfill their agreed upon roles and responsibilities, treat each other with respect and affection, and meet each other needs. To better understand family functions Talcott Parson a sociologist stated “that the main functions of the family were, “ to ensure that new babies actually

    Read More

  • The Family as an Agent of Socialization

    1399 Words  | 3 Pages

    Everyone is born into some form of family, with the family taking the responsibility of nurturing, teaching the norms or accepted behaviors within the family structure and within society. There are many types of families, which can be described as a set of relationships including parents and children and can include anyone related by blood or adoption. Family is the most important, “for it is within the family that the child is first socialized to serve the needs of the society and not only its own needs” (Goode, 1982).

    Read More

More about The Usefulness of Functionalism for an Understanding of the Family

Open Document