Examine the different functions performed by the family for individuals and for society
Examine the different functions performed by the family for individuals and for society. George Murdock is one of the main sociologists that look at the functionalist theory. He came up with the idea that there are 4 basic functions to a family. The first being the sexual function, the second being the reproductive function. Third is the economic function and lastly the educational function. He believed that these were the main functions of a family both for society and the individuals. Some of the functions that are performed by the family that help individuals are; the elders set an example/role model for the younger children and also it will give children a sense of belonging and support. Setting an example for the younger children is good for the child as an individual as it shows them the norms and values of life, so that when they are older they know the rights and wrongs to fit into society. Also the family gives the children a stable environment that they can learn and grow in this helps with knowing what it acceptable in society and what is dysfunctional. As well as giving something to the children as individuals it gives the adults the support that they may need for other things, these two things both give a sense of belonging to the family and to society. The family is good for society as it provides the next generation, as in the reproductive function, and it
Diversity in Modern Family Life
Diversity in Modern Family Life. Holly Anderson. "Explain and discuss how modern family life is catagorised by diversity." George Peter Murdock (1949) believed that the nuclear family should perform 'vital functions,' namely sexual, economic, reproductive and educational. He argues that 'No society has succeeded in finding an adequate substitute for the nuclear family, to which it might transfer there functions. It is highly doubtful whether any society will ever succeed in such an attempt.' [1.] Functionalists such as Murdock are inclined to ignore any diversity in family life in industrial society. There are few mentions of lone-parent families, cohabiting families and reconstituted families, or a variety of family lifestyles based on class, ethnicity, religion and locality. Of course there are alternatives to these opinions. R.N. Rapoport and R. Rapoport (1982) are critical of the assumption that the nuclear family is the 'ideal' family type. They mention that in 1994 only 20% of nuclear families still named the father as the sole breadwinner and the mother as the home-maker. The Rapoports argue that family life is now charactarised by diversity and that there is now a wide range of family types, other than the nuclear, in British society. The Rapoports believe there are five main elements of family diversity in Great Britain. Organizational, Cultural, Social Class,
Britain as a child-centred society
AS SOCIOLOGY BRITAIN AS A CHILD-CENTRED SOCIETY QUESTION:- Using information from the items and elsewhere assess the argument that Britain has evolved into a successful child-centred society. (20 marks) The term 'child-centred' refers to treating the needs of children as a priority over all other concepts. It can be argued that Britain has evolved into a child-centred society when comparing today's society with Aries' research on Medieval Europe. The changes in the way of life accentuate the importance placed on children in today's society. The first and foremost difference which can be realised is that youngsters are referred to as 'children.' Item A also emphasises the point that childhood is seen as a separate stage in life. In Medieval Europe, children both looked and were treated like adults. The fact that this no longer occurs in Britain today shows that it has successfully become a child-centred society. Also, children were previously seen as economic assets who contributed towards the income in the household. In areas such as northern Uganda, children are rejected by their families and made to fend for themselves at the age of three. This is a common practise in the Ik tribe. In Britain today, children are seen as incapable of looking after themselves up until they reach the age of thirteen/fourteen. Education has been made compulsory and the safety of children
Assess the view that the Nuclear Family is no longer the norm'' - Functionalism vs. Post Modernism
Rosalind Cresswell ' Assess the view that the Nuclear Family is no longer the norm'' - Functionalism vs. Post Modernism The Nuclear family is seen as the traditional family and it is made up of a husband, a wife and one or more children, which can be either biological or adopted. In the family the husband is usually the breadwinner and is instrumental towards the children, where as the wife should be responsible for the housework and plays an expressive role towards the children. This is known as a 'cereal packet' family. Murdock a functionalist sociologist (1949) argued that nuclear family is a 'universal social grouping', which can be found in all societies, however according to postmodernists nuclear families are not necessarily the most effective family. One reason that the nuclear family isn't necessarily considered the norm anymore would be an increase in same-sex couples because it has become more socially acceptable as homosexuality was legalised in the UK in 1967. This has meant that there are more same sex couples and they now have the chance to adopt. Technology as well as social acceptance has made major advances recently so gay and lesbian couples are able to use IVF treatment. Functionalist sociologists do not believe that same sex couples would educate a child to the same extent as single sex families however studies of same sex families could not see any
Critically examine the relationship between gender, religious participation and religious organisations
Critically examine the relationship between gender, religious participation and religious organisations (40 marks) Gender, religious participation and religious organisations are all linked together, involving religion. Gender is a major part of religion, and it is believed that women are more religious than men. Religious participation is also a big part of religion along with religious organisations. A number of studies have proven different views on the relationship between gender, religious participation and religious organisations. There are a number of religious organisations including; churches, sects, denominations and cults. A number of studies have some that women are more religious then men. Whatever women's influence and status may have been in religious organizations, studies have consistently shown that women are more religious than men. Miller and Hoffmann (1995) report that women are more likely to express a greater interest in religion, have a stronger personal religious commitment and attend church more often. These patterns appear to hold true throughout life, irrespective of the type of religious organisation or religious belief. Miller and Hoffmann believe that females have a lower rate of participation in paid work and this, it is argued, gives women more time for church related activities, and more need for a source of personal identity and
Why family formations have changed in Britain.
Explain how and why have family formations changed in Britain? Family formations have significantly changed since the late 1960's. Many sociologists have their own theories on why families are important and the functions a family should maintain. Functionalists believe that the main function of the family is to perform vital functions for society to survive. The family has essential functions which it must perform to meet the basic needs of society and its members. G.P Murdock (1949) states that the family performs four basic functions. Sexual-The family provides and controls sexual access to its family members. Reproductive-The family members reproduce at a child bearing age in order for society to have new members. Economic-the family should provide a warm and loving home with the basis needs in order to survive such as food and warmth. The family also teaches us social norms and values needed for economic co-operation. Education-The family sends their children to school which is needed to provide socialisation skills which are essential to pass on to the next generation. Functionalism stresses the positive role of the family. The family is seen as a universal institute that has a key relationship between other social institutes. Functionalists see the male and female roles as being set. The male is the sole breadwinner of the family and the wife stays at home and takes
Boys underachievement in Education
Hypothesis/Aim My hypothesis is 'Boys underachieve in education due to laddish behaviour'. This subject is important for me as I see 'laddish' behaviour in most of my days at sixth form. Its also important as no one knows why boys underachieve so doing this study will help me understand why they do. Another reason for me choosing this area of study is because there is great concern over boy's achievement which show sit is an important area to indentify the reasons for why this is happening in education. Wastage of talents is a big concern for schools currently as so many boys are talented but are scared to do well in case they don't seem 'cool'. (115 words) Context and Concepts My first concept is 'achievement'; this is to succeed in doing or producing something. This is relevant to my hypothesis because I'm trying to find out by boys achievement is low. My second concept is 'laddish behaviour'. This is because I feel this is the reason for boys underachieving as stated in my hypothesis. This concept is important to my study as it's the factor that will essentially be proven or disproven. My first context for the study is taken from Eirene Mitsos and Ken Browne-Boys' underachievement. Mitsos and Browne (1998) believe that boys are underachieving in education, although they also believe girls are disadvantaged. The evidence of boy's underachievement, according to Mitsos
Assess the view that the symmetrical family exists in modern day society
Emily Duffy Assess the view that the symmetrical family exists in modern day society. The symmetrical family is Young & Willmott's view that in modern day society privatised nuclear families are more equal in the roles that the husbands and wives participate in. The husband does domestic labour and childcare as well as keeping the role as the breadwinner and the wives go to work and have careers as well as caring for the children and participating in domestic labour. The symmetrical nuclear family is becoming more common in modern day society according to Young & Willmott, because of the changes in society such as women's positions, geographical mobility and new technology that makes house work easier. The symmetrical family can be viewed by the 'march of progress' and from a feminist view, both of which disagree with each other. The march of progress view is that of which sociologists Young and Willmott agree with. Young and Willmott see the symmetrical family improving and becoming more common in modern day society. The symmetrical family is when the husband and wives do not completely have the same roles but are much more equal in modern day society. Men and women both go out to work, perhaps just a part time job, and bring in an income. This results in a more equal share in domestic labour and childcare at home. Commercialization of house work has made it much easier
Decline of nuclear family
Is the nuclear family in decline? The family is an integral part of the social structure, responsible for primary socialisation of the next generation of society, an important unit of economic consumption and a stabilising influence on its members. Over recent years there has been intense debate about the decline of the nuclear family as an institution and the consequences of this decline for society as a whole. There are many factors cited as evidence of a marked decline of the traditional nuclear family, these will be examined below. Many social commentators argue that the family is vital to harmony and consensus in society. Functionalists view the nuclear family as being the ideal family form to promote the social integration, satisfaction, value consensus and social solidarity necessary to hold society together. Therefore any perceived changes to the nuclear family tend to be seen as having a negative impact on social order as other family forms are not seen as being as effective in providing the necessary functions for society's existence. The New Right also take this view and claim that the emergence of an underclass with single parenthood, particularly female headed households, the dominant family form poses a considerable threat to society as we know it. They argue that single parenthood transmits deviant norms and values through inadequate socialisation by only
Examine the contribution of functionalist explanations towards an understanding of the family
JOHN SMYTH SOCIOLOGY ESSAY (1500 words) EXAMINE THE CONTRIBUTION OF FUNCTIONALIST EXPLANATIONS TO AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FAMILY Functionalists believe that the family is a positive institution and view the ideal modern family as being the Nuclear Family. The nuclear family is described by Giddens (1989, p385) as a family 'which consists of two adults living together in a household with their own or adopted children'. Abercrombie et al (2006 p168) defines the nuclear family as 'Social units comprising a man and a woman living together with their children' Regardless of individuals definitions of what the nuclear family is, it is perceived as a family consisting of a father, mother and their children.The functionalist view (most popular in the 1960's) of the nuclear family comprises of a breadwinner husband and dependant wife and children - the 'cereal packet family' (Leach 1968) - this view of the family is also taken by sociologists like Murdock and Parsons. Functionalists take a consensus approach towards society and believe social institutions such as a family play an important part - i.e. the family makes a positive contribution towards society. Although Murdock and Parsons put across are similar themes - they believe that a nuclear family is best suited for a healthy society. Functionalists see the family as essential to the smooth running of society, therefore they
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