Functionalist Theory Essay

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Functionalist theory According to functionalist theory society is viewed as a collection of interdependent parts each having a function in the stability and solidarity of the whole. Emile Durkheim the French sociologist who developed this theory described this relationship using the physiological analogy of a body that relies on the proper function of its various integrated organs (the heart, lungs, liver, brain and so forth) in order to maintain homeostasis. The organs of society are its institutions and these evolve and persist to positively contribute to the stability of the whole by socialising the individual into the basic values shared by the consensus of its members. Thus within this theory the individual is seen to be a construct of the values of the society to which he/she belongs and is therefore not considered significant in describing this relationship. Functionalist theory and the family The functionalist perspective of the family is focused on how it contributes functionally to the harmony of the society to which it belongs. A study conducted on 250 families by George P Murdoch in 1949 led him to postulate that the family has four functions that serve to maintain harmony in society: the sexual, reproductive, economic and educational function. According to Murdoch the sexual function serves to regulate sexual activity and so maintains the nuclear family and consequently social stability; the reproductive function adds members to perpetuate society; The economic function is the gender assigned division of labour between spouses. This cooperation strengthens the bond between them and contributes to social cohesion. The educational function teaches the norms and values of
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