Family - Sociology

1188 Words5 Pages
Q. The family has lost a number of its functions in modern industrial society. Explain and assess this claim. Ans. Some sociologists argue that the family has lost a number of its functions in modern industrial society. Institutions such as businesses, political parties, schools and welfare organisations now specialize in functions performed by the family. However, this is debatable. Talcott Parsons argued that the family has become almost completely functionless. It does not itself, except here and there, engage in much economic production; it is not a significant unit in the political power system; it is not a major direct agency of integration of the larger society. Its individual members participate in these functions, but they do so as individuals, not in their roles as family members. However, this does not mean that the family is declining in importance- it has simply become more specialized. Parsons maintained that its role is still vital. By structuring the personalities of the young and stabilizing the personalities of adults, the family provides its members with the psychological training and support necessary to meet the requirements of the social system. Parsons concluded the family is more specialized than before but not in any general sense less important because society is dependant more exclusively on it for the performance of certain of its vital functions. Thus the loss of certain functions by the family has made its remaining functions more important. Not all sociologists would agree, however, that the family has lost many of its functions in modern industrial society. Ronald Fletcher, a staunch supporter of the family, maintained that just the opposite has happened. He argues that not only has the family retained its functions but also those functions have increased in detail and importance. Specialised institutions such as schools and
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