Functionalism
When considering the role of family in society, functionalists uphold the notion that families are an important social institution and that they play a key role in stabilizing society. They also note that family members take on status roles in a marriage or family. The family, and its members, perform certain functions that facilitate the prosperity and development of society. Functionalists believe that the family socializes children, it provides emotional and practical support for its members, it helps regulate sexual activity and sexual reproduction, and it provides its members with a social identity. In addition, sudden or far-reaching changes in the family’s structure or processes threaten its stability and weaken society.
Sociologist George Murdock conducted a survey of 250 societies and determined that there are four universal residual functions of the family: sexual, reproductive, educational, and economic (Lee 1982). According to Murdock, the family (which for him includes the state of marriage) regulates sexual relations between individuals. He does not deny the existence or impact of premarital or extramarital sex, but states that the family offers a socially legitimate sexual outlet for adults (Lee 1985). This outlet gives way to reproduction, which is a necessary part of ensuring the survival of society.
Once children are born, the family plays a vital role in training them for adult life. As the primary agent of socialization and enculturation, the family teaches young children the ways of thinking and behaving that follow social and cultural norms, values, beliefs, and attitudes.
Case Study (D)
Functionalists believe that parents teach children gender roles. Gender roles are an important part of the economic function of a family. In each family, there is a division of labor that consists of instrumental and expressive roles. Men tend to assume the instrumental roles in the family, which typically involve work outside of the family that provides financial support and establishes family status. Women tend to assume the expressive roles, which typically involve work inside of the family which provides emotional support and physical care for children (Crano and Aronoff 1978).
What might this little girl be learning about the role of her mother?
Case Study (E)
Maria and Sarah are a same-sex couple raising their 6-year-old son, Ethan, in a suburban community. Maria and Sarah adopted Ethan when he was an infant. Both parents are employed; Maria works as a nurse, while Sarah is a software engineer. They share responsibilities at home.
Maria and Sarah read to Ethan daily, help him with homework, and encourage his curiosity. They also teach him social skills through playdates and family gatherings. Both moms ensure Ethan feels loved and secure. They practice open communication, allowing Ethan to express his feelings and concerns. Every weekend, they participate in outings and game nights with family friends.
Maria and Sarah budget carefully, saving for Ethan’s education and ensuring all basic needs are met. Maria and Sarah share household duties and parenting responsibilities. They rotate tasks like cooking, cleaning, and attending parent-teacher meetings, ensuring a balanced workload and modeling cooperation for Ethan.
- Functionalism focuses on socialization, emotional support, economic support, reproduction and regulation of sexual activity, and family dynamics. Describe how this family fits into those categories.
According to functionalists, the differentiation of the roles on the basis of sex ensures that families are well balanced and coordinated. When family members move outside of these roles, the family is thrown out of balance and must recalibrate in order to function properly. For example, if the father assumes an expressive role such as providing daytime care for the children, the mother must take on an instrumental role such as gaining paid employment outside of the home in order for the family to maintain balance and function.
Pause to Reflect!
Discuss the following questions.
- Functionalism is often criticized as being an outdated theory in understanding families. Why?
- How do traditional gender and family roles impact a family’s relationships with schools or communities?
Media Attributions
- Hanging Clothes Outside © Bud Ellison is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
