Murdock – argues that the family performs four essential functions to meet the needs of society and it members. 1) Stable satisfaction of the sex drive – with the same partner, which prevents a social disruption 2) Reproduction of the next generation – without which society wouldn’t continue 3) Socialisation of the young – into society’s shared norms and values 4) Meeting its members economic needs – such as food and shelter Murdock argues that these four factors explains why having a nuclear family is universal Criticisms of Murdock Other sociologists argue that other institutions or non nuclear family structures could equally performs these functions, not just nuclear families. Feminists argue that they see the family as serving the needs of men and oppressing women. Parsons functional fit theory Parsons distinguishes two family structures Nuclear family – just parents and dependent children Non Nuclear family – three generations living under the same roof Parsons argues that the particular structure and functions of a given type of family will ‘fit’ the needs of the society in which it is found. According to Murdock there are two basic types of society -Modern industrial family: nuclear family -Pre industrial family: extended family A geographically mobile workforce -Parsons argues that it is easier for the nuclear family to move.
Murdock suggested that the family must create a stable satisfaction of the sex drive, with the same partner to prevent a sexual free-for-all. This would benefit the individual as life could be easier for them. For example it would help the mother or father to raise one or two children instead of four or five. This would benefit society as less resources would be used. For example as the population increases the amount of resources used decreases, so less children would mean the less use of electricity or heating, helping society by using little resources.
Within Sociology the family is defined as a primary social group that consists of parents and their offspring all living together to form a very close social group. This present essay will compare and contrast the difference between four perspectives, these being, the Functionalist, Interactionist, Feminist and the Marxist perspective. The functionalist approach believes that society is a structure of connected parts that work together to maintain a social balance for society. For example they believe that each social institute adds individual functions that are all important to the society. The family for example contributes a lot toward society as it is the main route of reproducing the population and teaching them the important lesson of socialization as they grow.
George Peter Murdock found that nuclear families are universal. He also believed in 4 function of the family. These included of the nuclear family supplying a sexual function, as being a couple stabilises satisfaction of the sex drive with a constant partner and prevents social disruption, too supplies a reproductive function as being a family ensures new members of society to keep society going and an educational function as parents socialise their young into the norms and values of society. Also, he believes that the family have an economic function as they meet the economic needs of food and shelter. However, Murdock’s view of the nuclear family eliminate any other family structures, which too are able to supply these functions, and also neglects the conflict and exploitation of family.
Firstly, a stable satisfaction of the sex drive with the same partner (husband/wife). This prevents social disruption caused by a sexual ‘free for all’ and over-sexualisation of society. Secondly, reproduction of the next generation. This ensures society can continue. Thirdly, socialisation of the young into society’s norms and values.
Each one of these ingredients are needed to make sound decisions that are not only intelligent, but most importantly, wise decision that will have positive impact on people’s lives. In a scenario whereas a teenage girl who has a boyfriend who is wanting protected sex in this case is the only reason he is with her while she is in love with but her boyfriend is pressuring her to have only “protected” sex, there are four possible elements of wise judgment which can be used effectively only to assess the situation and create a capable solution. Factual Knowledge about Matters of life The factual knowledge about matters of life “which includes knowledge about the human nature plus the interpersonal relations and finally social norms.” In the previous mentioned case of the teenage girl whose in love with her boyfriend who wants to have sex with her and promises the sex will only be “protected sex,” this young lady has to understand the results are of protected sex in which can be limited, like many thing and entities of life. Sex is must not 100% protected because things of nature and other aspects may arise during intercourse. For instance, couples may have experienced an incident where the condom broke or leaked during intercourse.
In this paper, I summarize the article, present comments on the highlights of the article and suggest where additional research findings would be of use in improving the sexuality of ill elderly adults. Summary of Article A good part of the society believes that older people with illnesses do not have sexual needs because of their changing body image. All those negative attitudes of the society prevented the ill elderly from acknowledging their sexuality as a healthy and important part of life. ‘Sexuality is described as one of the most natural and basic aspects of life that affects an individual’s identity as a human being. Sexual health care is an essential component of overall wellness during one’s developmental life span.
It is also seen as a tool for socialisation, and a key social institution in sustaining the value consensus for the society to run smoothly (Webb et al, 2008). According to Murdock (1949), the four main functions of the family are identified as: education, which is the socialisation of the young into society shared norms and values of learning right from wrong. Parsons (1955), agreed with Murdock, but stated that the functions of the family in the society are of two folds: the primary socialisation which is the socialisation of the children to equip them with the norms and values they need to succeed in society. He goes on to argue that if children are not successfully socialised, they will not fit the value consensus and will not be able to function in the society (Harris, 2008). Murdock (1949) added that the family exists to provide economic function and that parents have the responsibility to take care of their family financially, usually through harmonious division of labour where the man takes on the instrumental role, and provide for the family, and the woman adopts the
|Consensus/Positive views of the family |Conflict/critical views of the family | |ϑ |Λ | |Functionalist theories: the family performs positive functions |Marxist theories: the family provides important functions for | |for individuals and society |capitalism | |New Right theories: the family is the cornerstone of society, |Feminist theories: the family reinforces gender inequality and | |but it is under threat |patriarchy | ϑ Functionalist theories • Functionalist theories traditionally stress the positive role of the family in society, regarding it as beneficial and serving a number of very important functions that help maintain the very existence of society. • If the family exists (as Murdock says it does universally), then it must be performing some function(s) or fulfilling some purpose(s). A number of functionalist sociologists have presented accounts of the way in which this happens. GP Murdock: Four essential functions of the family • Murdock argues that the family is a universal institution (it exists everywhere) that performs four major functions: o Stable satisfaction of the sex drive with the same partner, preventing the social disruption caused by sexual ‘free-for-all’. o Reproduction of the next generation, without which society would not be able to continue.
More than likely, this is because it is easier to observe the effects of nurture in our lives (personal experience), because we have been told that nurture is more powerful in our culture (authority), and because it feels more empowering to believe that nurture has more of an effect, perhaps because it seems more controllable (bias). The nurture assumption has many effects on our lives. For example, we often attribute adult problems to problems with early home life. Parents often take on much of the responsibility for how their kids turn out. Lovers often assume that they will get their partner to change someday.