1. One of the major topics you will have to study within this SCLY1
Families & Households Module is ‘Theories on the Family’.
This basically means that different theories exist that try to explain the
function / purpose/ role of the family within society. The theories that
you will need to know are as follows:
> FUNCTIONALISM (Consensus Structuralism)
> MARXISM (Conflict Structuralism)
> FEMINISM (Conflict Structuralism)
Learning Objectives:
When you have studied this topic, you should:
> Understand the Functionalist, Marxist & Feminist perspectives on the
family
> Be able to analyse the similarities & differences between these
perspectives
> Be able to evaluate & critically assess the usefulness of these
perspectives in the family

3. Murdock (1949): The 4 Functions of the Family
1) Teaching Sexuality & Gender Roles
2) Reproduction
3) Primary Socialisation
REMEMBER: Functionalists argue
4) Economic Security that the Nuclear Family is best
suited to meet these Functional
pre-Requisites of Society

4. Families teach people how to express sexuality in a socially
approved context i.e. It teaches that heterosexuality is the
norm and that other types of relationships are ‘abnormal’ e.g.
adultery, homosexuality, incest.
The family ensures reproduction and provides a stable
environment to rear children.

5. The family provides Primary Socialisation – it is through this
that they are ‘groomed’ into society’s Value Consensus &
Collective Conscience.
The family provides food and shelter and other material needs
for the family.

8. > Very ‘Rosy’ picture of the family
> Old-Fashioned
> Ignore suppressive and destructive sides to the family (i.e. they ignore
dysfunction):
Leach & Cooper (1967):
The Nuclear family has become so isolated and ‘inward looking’ that it is actually a
very destructive institution which suppresses individuality and teaches blind
obedience:
‘Far from being the basis of a good society, the family, with it’s narrow
privacy & tawdry secrets is the source of all our discontents’
> Ignores Family Diversity & the fact other forms of family can carry out all of the
functions that Murdock & Parsons argue are only suited to the Nuclear Family i.e.
it is not necessarily universal (SEE HANDOUT).