Why do functionalists argue society needs nuclear families?

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Why do functionalists argue society needs nuclear families?

“Family” is a concept which is used to call a society’s institution. The idea of its meaning has changed throughout many years but there are mainly two types of family: nuclear and extended. Nuclear families basically include a mother, a father and their children (could be either biological or adopted) while extended families consist of a nuclear family and relatives: aunts, uncles, grandparents or grandchildren… etc. In theory, families, especially nuclear family, are considered to be a “corner stone” when building up the society so that functionalists has argued that society needs nuclear families.

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According to functionalists, family has many functions such as education, economic, emotional support, nurture…etc. To demonstrate this view point, it is useful to consider the educational part of families as it is considered to be the agent of primary socialization. For instance, when being brought up, you get used to sanctions and that is how family helps us know norms, values and how to interact with other people… The second thing to note is emotional support because this is the place which you will come back from school or even a long holiday. Then, you can share things that has ...

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