Family and CultureFamily and Culture: : Functions of the FamilyFunctions of the Family

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ObjectivesObjectives

Having viewed this slide show you should be aware of:

The ‘loss of functions’ thesis.

The functions of the family.

That in late modernity or postmodern society the family is taking on new functions.

There is a growth in people seeking alternatives to the family or choosing alternative styles of family life.

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IntroductionIntroduction

Ronald Fletcher (1966) talked of the 'multifunctional family', but he was equally aware of the family being stripped of its secondary functions.

Ronald Fletcher (1966) talked of the 'multifunctional family', but he was equally aware of the family being stripped of its secondary functions.

The modern nuclear family, he felt, was left with ‘residual’ functions.

The modern nuclear family, he felt, was left with ‘residual’ functions.

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George Murdock’s Universal Residual George Murdock’s Universal Residual FunctionsFunctions

George Murdock (1949) conducted a survey of 250 societies and claimed there are four universal residual functions of the family:

George Murdock (1949) conducted a survey of 250 societies and claimed there are four universal residual functions of the family:

sexualsexual

educationeducation

economiceconomic

reproductivereproductive(by education he really meant socialisation)

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Talcott Parsons: Family Talcott Parsons: Family Stripped of its FunctionsStripped of its Functions

Talcott Parsons sees the modern family as “stripped” to just two ‘basic and irreducible’ functions:

Talcott Parsons sees the modern family as “stripped” to just two ‘basic and irreducible’ functions:

Socialisation of children

Socialisation of children

Stabilisation of adult

personalities

Stabilisation of adult

personalities

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Critique of Functionalist ViewCritique of Functionalist View

The family functions in an over-romantic and idealised way.

The family functions in an over-romantic and idealised way.

This referred to as the ‘warm bath theory’ of family.

This referred to as the ‘warm bath theory’ of family.

Both Murdock and Parsons reflect the functionalist perspective on family functions

Both Murdock and Parsons reflect the functionalist perspective on family functions

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Family Adaptation in Postmodern Family Adaptation in Postmodern SocietySociety

In Post-modern society the family is modifying itself to meet the changed circumstances of contemporary society.

In Post-modern society the family is modifying itself to meet the changed circumstances of contemporary society.

The family has become more child-centred, but with fewer children

The family has become more child-centred, but with fewer children

However, many couples are choosing to stay childless

However, many couples are choosing to stay childless

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Source of Emotional SupportSource of Emotional Support

Families are seen as functioning to provide warmth and security, emotional support.

Families are seen as functioning to provide warmth and security, emotional support.

All family members benefit from the loving relationships that they share with each other.

All family members benefit from the loving relationships that they share with each other.

Family and Culture Week 3 9

Family as Source of IdentityFamily as Source of Identity

The family provides a sense of identity.

The family provides a sense of identity.

This is clearly important to family members as evidenced by recent interest both by individuals and the media in family histories.

This is clearly important to family members as evidenced by recent interest both by individuals and the media in family histories.

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Family as LeisureFamily as Leisure

Families also provide shared leisure, family holidays, special occasions e.g. weddings, birthdays, outings, cultural and educational visits (cinema, theatre, museums, etc.).

Families also provide shared leisure, family holidays, special occasions e.g. weddings, birthdays, outings, cultural and educational visits (cinema, theatre, museums, etc.).

Family and Culture Week 3 11

Alternatives to the Traditional Alternatives to the Traditional FamilyFamily

An increasing number of people are rejecting the traditional family: singlehood, gay families, childless couples.

An increasing number of people are rejecting the traditional family: singlehood, gay families, childless couples.

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SinglehoodSinglehoodThere has been a dramatic increase in the proportion of one-person households in the past 40 years.

There has been a dramatic increase in the proportion of one-person households in the past 40 years.

12% of people in Great Britain now live alone.

12% of people in Great Britain now live alone.

Singlehood is much more popular in the white population than ethnic minorities

Singlehood is much more popular in the white population than ethnic minorities

Many of these are elderly widowed, but not all!

Many of these are elderly widowed, but not all!

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Singlehood (continued)Singlehood (continued)

Single people now account for just under a third of households (29 per cent) in Britain.

Single people now account for just under a third of households (29 per cent) in Britain.

They include professional young men and women.

They include professional young men and women.

And divorced peopleAnd divorced people

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Factors Behind SinglehoodFactors Behind Singlehood

Growth of 'FITT women' with careers and education success

Growth of 'FITT women' with careers and education success

Delay or rejection of marriage/cohabitation

Delay or rejection of marriage/cohabitation

Women no longer need to be financially dependent upon a man

Women no longer need to be financially dependent upon a man

Creative singlehood reflects the growth of the affluent young.

Creative singlehood reflects the growth of the affluent young.

More fashionable 'singles' accommodation is available.

More fashionable 'singles' accommodation is available.

Increased divorce rate and separations from cohabitation.

Increased divorce rate and separations from cohabitation.

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Childless CouplesChildless Couples

Childless couples reflect the fact that there is less pressure on people to have children.

Childless couples reflect the fact that there is less pressure on people to have children.

Couples may put lifestyle choice above starting a family.

Couples may put lifestyle choice above starting a family.

Some couples may be put off by the cost of bringing up a child (over £50,000 from birth to age of 18)

Some couples may be put off by the cost of bringing up a child (over £50,000 from birth to age of 18)

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Gay and Lesbian RelationshipsBut this non-traditional family form is also slowly becoming less of a rarity

But this non-traditional family form is also slowly becoming less of a rarity

Gay and lesbian couples are often childless

Gay and lesbian couples are often childless

In 2002 the Government announced plans to make it easier for same-sex couples to adopt children.

In 2002 the Government announced plans to make it easier for same-sex couples to adopt children.

Medical technology (e.g. surrogacy) allows people to conceive children in non-traditional ways.

Medical technology (e.g. surrogacy) allows people to conceive children in non-traditional ways.

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ConclusionsConclusions There is general support for the loss of functions thesis that

argues the family has been stripped of many of its functions.

George Murdock sees the family performing 4 universal residual functions: sexual, reproductive, economic and education (socialisation).

Talcott Parsons sees the family performing two ‘basic and irreducible functions’ socialisation of children, stabilisation of adult personalities.

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Conclusions (continued)Conclusions (continued) There has been a growth in people rejecting traditional

family.

12% of people in Britain now live on their own (almost a third of households).

Couples account for almost a third of households too.

In a less homophobic society there has been a growth of gay and lesbian relationships.

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End of PresentationEnd of Presentation