Theoretical perspectives Families/Households: Functionalist

Functionalist View on Families and Households

Overview of Functionalist Perspective

The Functionalist perspective views society as a system where each part plays a role in maintaining the system’s stability.
It regards the family as a vital social institution that performs key functions for society and individuals.

Key Functionalist Thinkers and Theories

Early Functionalist theorist Emile Durkheim believed that social facts, such as marriage, have functions necessary for social order and stability.
Talcott Parsons, a prominent Functionalist sociologist, suggested two core functions of the family - the primary socialisation of children and the stabilization of adult personalities.

Functionalism and Family Functions

Functionalist theorists argue that the family provides important functions such as socialisation, economic support, emotional warmth and stability.
Nuclear families are considered crucial for effective socialisation as they provide a structured environment where societal norms and values can be transmitted.

Functionalism and Social Order

Functionalists assert that the family contributes to social order. It does this by reinforcing norms and values, which in turn promote consensus, stability and social cohesion.
They view the family as a place where individuals learn to conform to societal expectations, facilitating smooth interaction with other members of society.

Functionalism and the Division of Labour

Parsons argued that in a nuclear family, there is an expressive role (usually undertaken by women) that involves caring, nurturing, and maintaining the emotional stability of the family.
There is also an instrumental role (usually taken by men) that involves provision of resources, decision making, and engagement with the external world.
This division of labour is seen as beneficial and complements societal needs.

Critiques of Functionalist View on Families

Critics argue that Functionalism overlooks family diversity and alternative family structures.
It is often critiqued for justifying traditional gender roles, reinforcing patriarchal systems, and ignoring family conflict and domestic abuse.
It’s noted that the Functionalist perspective does not take into account how power is distributed within families, often resulting in inequality and oppression.

Functionalism and Changing Family Forms

Functionalists recognise that family structures change over time but argue that whatever form family takes, it continues to perform its key functions for the good of society.
They view changing family forms as adaptations to societal changes rather than as deviations from the ‘ideal’ family form.