Functionalist Definition of Family

George Murdock's functionalist definition of family emphasizes its role as a fundamental social group.

Definition: A family is a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction, including adults of both sexes (at least two with a sexual relationship) and one or more children.

Key functionalist beliefs:

• Society is based on value consensus - shared norms and values
• Society functions like a system made up of different parts, similar to the human body
• Families play a crucial role in socializing members and maintaining social harmony

Highlight: Functionalists view society as a system where different parts work together, much like organs in the human body, to achieve shared goals and meet society's needs.

Strengths and Criticisms of Functionalist Perspective

Strengths of the functionalist perspective:

• Acknowledges changes between pre-industrial and industrial society
• Provides a positive view of family's role in society

Criticisms of the functionalist perspective:

• Ignores negative aspects (dysfunctions) of family life
• Overlooks family diversity
• Disregards power imbalances within families

Example: Functionalists ignore that not all families are supportive and loving; some experience domestic violence or contribute to mental illness.

Alternative perspectives:

• Feminist view: Family serves men's needs and oppresses women
• Marxist view: Family meets capitalism's needs, not society's or family members'
• Postmodernist view: Functionalists overgeneralize; should focus on individual family meanings

Functionalism as a Macro Theory

Functionalism is characterized as a macro theory in sociology:

• Consensus theory: Society is based on agreement and shared ideas
• Macro approach: Examines society as a whole, seeking to generalize findings
• Top-down approach: Societal structures and institutions determine individual behavior
• Structural theory: We are products of our environment

Vocabulary: Macro theory - A sociological approach that focuses on large-scale social structures and their impact on society as a whole.

Highlight: Functionalists believe that society functions best when everyone works together, emphasizing the importance of shared norms and values.

Detailed Examination of Murdock's Functions

1. Sexual Function:

   • Regulates sexual behavior in society
   • Aims to reduce unwanted/teenage pregnancies and abortions
   • Teaches that sex is for marriage and between a man and a woman

2. Reproductive Function:

   • Ensures society's continuation by producing new members
   • Nuclear families typically have 2-3 children to maintain population
   • Any family type can fulfill this function

3. Primary Socialization Function:

   • Educates children about societal norms, values, and attitudes
   • Nuclear families teach children expected behaviors
   • Some families may not perform this function if they disagree with societal norms

4. Economic Function:

   • Families act as units of consumption, contributing to the economy
   • Nuclear families purchase products for family well-being
   • Financial struggles may hinder a family's ability to perform this function

Highlight: Murdock argued that the nuclear family is best suited to perform these functions, though this view has been criticized for ignoring family diversity.