This paper aims to clarify the strengths of Parsons’ arguments, such as the functionality and effectiveness of certain systems within our culture, while contrasting the outdated viewpoints which he presents that might not be as applicable in today’s modern times considering the amount of social changes and open opportunities that are now available to both sexes. Parsons introduces his ideas on the “kinship system” by discussing the family structure, focusing in on the various life stages that a child goes through to emancipate themselves from the ties they have gained from their parents and other family members. The familiarity and comfort of such ties eventually become a burden and must be cut off in order for an individual to become a fully functional member of our society. The article goes on to state that one of the most difficult stages of growing older would be adolescence, where a “youth culture” is practiced, allowing for a passageway meant to ease “the difficult process of adjustment from childhood emotional dependency to full ‘maturity’” (Parsons 1943: 301). This serves to provide one
So the main function of education is to maintain a value consensus in society. Consequently Parsons (1961) sees schools as a bridge between family and wider society. This bridge is needed as they both operate on different principles. Within the family, the child is judged by particularistic standards and status is ascribed. Whereas in education and wider society, status is achieved and we are all judged by the same universalistic standards e.g.
Similarly the operation of any society is dependent on its social institutions as they provide vital functions which maintain harmony, stability and solidarity within a society. G P Murdock and Talcott Parsons are the main Functionalists of family. According to Talcott Parsons the family has lost many of its functions, but still has two important functions. The primary socialisation of children: children learn norms and values in their society from their parents, who teach them what is right and what is wrong. Murdock argued that the nuclear family was a universal social institution and has four important parts to play in keeping society functioning: reproductive, economic, sexual and education function.
As in performing these functions the family links up with other institutions, providing future pupils for education, workers for the economy, and so on. Murdock also argues that the family performs four basic functions which are; sexual, reproductive, economic and educational. From his study of 250 societies, he came to the conclusion that the performance of these functions was so vital that it is inevitable that families exist everywhere. Parsons’ list of functions is shorter; he sees them more as ‘basic and irreducible’. He claims that the family must provide the primary socialisation of children to certify the maintenance of society’s culture and the stabilisation of adult personalities - where responsibility for children gives emotional security and the family performs as a haven from the complications of the outside world.
Sociology Education assignment 1 Using material from item A and elsewhere assess the view that the education system exists mainly to prepare young people for their future work roles. (20 marks) Functionalist would agree with the original statement they see the education system as performing useful functions for society there are four that are thought as the most important they are maintaining social solidarity, teaching specialised skills, secondary socialisation and role allocation. On the other hand Marxists believe the education system is an ideological state apparatus. Marxists also believe there is a correspondence between school and work and of the counter school culture. Functionalism is a sociological theory society has certain basic needs the most important of which is social order.
From families we receive encouragement, love and life lessons. Families are the key tools that shape individuals into the person they want to become. Society says the best families are the traditional families. But in today’s society family structures have changed. In today’s society families consist of civil unions, single parents, and families that try to utilize and keep the same values that were present in the 1950’s.
Our impression of ourselves may be influenced by other people's opinions of us, but other factors, which are determined by the society around us, contribute towards our impression of who we are. Age Discrimination against people on the basis of their age has become so widespread that the government is drawing up new laws to counter it. Media portrayals of the young and the old suffer from strong stereotypes that affect the way both groups view themselves and each other. Children and teenagers are often characterised as out-of-control, inconsiderate trouble-makers. Old people tend to be stereotyped as frail, forgetful and incapable.
Family values are traditions of sort. Each generation takes what they learned from their parents, shapes and molds it into what they would like to instill in their own children. Although every family is different we can consider respect, honesty, forgiveness, and responsibility as the core values. I grew up in a very structured house. What we did and how we acted was by the family values code if you will.
Each elements in this structural fuctionalism are interdependent and a change in one element would lead to the changes in the other elements. For example the underlying idea of structural functionalism is that the family provides for the children until they are old enough to provide for themselves. The educational institution provides the education and the skills they need to go out into society and the economy is responsible for producing the necessities needed by families to survive. The all work together and the reason they are able to function as one to help maintain society is that there is a state of balance . The underlying basic idea of the conflict theory is that society consists of different social groups who struggle to acquire status and valuables.
Stress maybe increased when a person is living in a family situation with increased pressures. Social stresses due to inadequate finances or other such problems in a family may further increase tensions. Violence is not always caused by stress, but may be one way that some people respond/deal with stress. Secondly, domestic violence maybe a way in which the man/woman is trying to attain power and control over the partner. This is using violence in order to gain power and control.