Structure functionalism theory2/3/2024 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. When family members move outside of these roles, the family is thrown out of balance and must recalibrate in order to function properly. Emile Durkheim said that society should provide. Social solidarity is the feeling of being part of a larger social group. It is a structural theory, which means it believes societal structures shape individuals. What might this little girl be learning about the role of her mother?Īccording to functionalists, the differentiation of the roles on the basis of sex ensures that families are well balanced and coordinated. Functionalism is a key consensus theory that places importance on our shared norms and values as functioning members of society. 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). 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. In each family, there is a division of labor that consists of instrumental and expressive roles. Gender roles are an important part of the economic function of a family. 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.įunctionalists believe that parents teach children gender roles. Once children are born, the family plays a vital role in training them for adult life. This outlet gives way to reproduction, which is a necessary part of ensuring the survival of society. 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). According to Murdock, the family (which for him includes the state of marriage) regulates sexual relations between individuals. 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). In addition, sudden or far-reaching changes in the family’s structure or processes threaten its stability and weaken 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. The family, and its members, perform certain functions that facilitate the prosperity and development of society. They also note that family members take on status roles in a marriage or family. Functionalism is a theory of society that focuses on the structures that create the society and on how the society is able to remain stable. 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.
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