Evaluate the functionalist theory of the family
.... He felt that these were all linked. Without sex and reproduction there would be no procreation, there would be no members of society to create an economy therefore not providing an economic function, for example, the provision and preparation of food, and without education there would be no culture. He felt that the society without culture couldn't function. The functionalist point of view of the family structure was bound together by all aspects of the four main functions. The husband and wife have a right to sexual access together, abiding by the rules of the society, they are in, by indulging in sexual gratification they will keep the relationship monogamous, keeping the spouses of the unit together by their emotional and physical ties. By doing this it will contain sexual activity, to the family group and prevent disruptive effects on social order, this then provides both control and expression of sexual drives. Murdoch went on further to say that like sex, the economic function of the family is more readily achieved by persons living together. Much emphasis is put upon the division of labour within the family group. Murdoch explained this by saying that there were certain specialisations carried out in the family, he said that in hunting tribes. The male would catch and kill game, and his wife will cook and skin the game. He felt that the economic co-operation between the spouses made a closer bond between the couple, and also aided the society as a whole. Murdoch felt that no society had found an adequate substitute for the nuclear family, to which it might be able to excel these functions, and he felt that it is highly doubtful that any society will succeed in such an attempt. Morgan (1975), argued that Murdoch's view of the family is a remarkably harmonious institution. Husband and wife have an integrated division of labour and a good time in bed (social theory and the family, Rutledge, and Keegan Paul London) Parsons (1959 1965), concentrated his study on families in America's middle-class society. It was felt that he had a more general view of the family group, he felt that Americans family retains two basic irreducible functions, which are common to the family in all societies. These come under the heading of primary socialisation of the children and stabilisation of the adults. Primary socialisation refers to the early years of childhood and takes place mainly within the family, secondary socialisation takes place in later formative years, when outside influence are exerted such as peer groups and schools. Parsons said there were two basic processes involved in primary socialisation. These are the internalisation of the society's culture and the structuring of personality. He felt that unless culture is internalised society would cease to exist in tears fell that without shared norms and values, culture would not be possible, because culture is internalised it becomes part of the person, he felt in the case of American middle-class families personality ties was shaped in terms of independence and achievement motivation, which are two main aspects of American culture. Parsons felt that families were essential for the purpose of creating human personalities. He defined the family group as factories, as he felt that primary socialisation could only be acquired with warmth, security and mutual support, and this could only be achieved within the family group. Once the personality had been stabilised it was possible for the next basic function to begin. The second basic function of the family is to put the onus on marriage to stabilise the strains and stresses of life. This gives emotional support to the family group, as it does not have the emotional support from extended family. Hence the couple looking each other for support. The functionalists give a clear view of the family roles, these roles are clarified, both within the family group and also society itself. Showing the male as the bread winner, and the wife as a homemaker and bearer of children. The functionalist theory is based on the view that all members are working towards the same goal, and all perceived society in the same way. And that the aim to sustain stability and continuity are essential basic needs...