Families Kinship A global perspective Structural Functionalist Theory

Families & Kinship: A global perspective Structural Functionalist Theory Dr. Roger wai-hong KWAN City University of Hong Kong 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 1

Reviewing social theories Application of four approaches in the study of families and households: Micro theories: Social Exchange theory; Symbolic Interaction theory Macro theories: Consensus approach— Structural functionalism; Conflict approaches—Marxism & Feminism 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 2

Structural functionalism n n n The dominant paradigm from 1930 s to 1960 s Emile Durkheim (1858 -1917) Talcott Parsons (1902 -1979) Structure as social institutions that make up the society Function as the role played by each institution in the maintenance of society 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 3

Structural functionalism as a consensus theory n n Shared values as fundamental to society Focus on social order based on tacit agreement Social change occurring slowly Interest in the infrastructure of society and the roles to be fulfilled for survival 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 4

Assumptions of functionalism n n Adopting a macroscopic approach in studying social phenomena Focusing on the social system and the sub-systems that comprise it The sub-systems are regarded as interdependent and contributing to the wellbeing of society as a whole Maintaining equilibrium is important 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 5

Meanings of function n n Manifest and latent functions of institutions (Merton, 1968) Modern family performs the functions of nurturing and socializing the young Culture transmits values from one generation to the next Latent functions are those of which the social actors are not conscious 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 6

Talcott Parsons’ functionalism n n n A version of functionalism developed with a systems approach A system maintains its integrity in relation to an external environment A society is treated as a system: to survive it has to perform four functional pre-requisites [AGIL] 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 7

Parsons’ AGIL n n A for adaptation: the ability to use resources to safeguard people’s welfare G for goal attainment: planning and decision making to organise social life I for integration: maintaining internal order through dissemination of values L for latency: to motivate members to perform functions through culture 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 8

Roles of sub-systems n n All sub-systems contribute to meeting the needs of society for it to function properly, e. g. Political institutions must be capable of directing and organising the society Educational institutions impart norms of cohesion to reduce conflict Culture transfers customs and traditions 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 9

Summarising functionalism n n The society is seen as a self maintaining and self regulating system It has an adjustment mechanism to keep itself in a state of equilibrium Social institutions contribute to maintaining the social whole The family is an institution along side school, economy, and market 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 10

The organic analogy n n Society is like the human body, made up of different parts that work together for it to be healthy. Parsons (1951): human behavior was driven by our efforts to conform to the moral code of society. Such codes constrain human behaviors so as to promote the common good. 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 11

Survival as the purpose of organisms n n For a society to survive, the subsystems like the family must function in ways that promote the maintenance of society. Shared norms and values among its individual members provide the key to societal survival. Deviation from those norms leads to disorganization. Any social structure carries out functions for the greater society. 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 12

Functionalism & the family n n n Family performs a positive role Murdock (1949): sexual, reproductive, economic and educational Parsons (1955): two functions of nuclear family in industrial society— 1. procreation & socialisation of children 2. stabilization of adult’s personality 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 13

Complementary roles in the family n n n The husband as the instrumental male: earning money to support his family The competition and tension in the outside world produces stress so he needs to get support from home The wife as the expressive female: catering to the needs of the husband children with care and support 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 14

Marital structure according to SFT n n Polygyny (multiple wives) is the preferred marital structure in societies that engage in light agriculture and animal husbandry because women provide labor that creates wealth. Polyandrous unions (multiple husbands) appear only in harsh environment as adaptation to economic poverty. 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 15

Working women according to SFT n n They are a threat to quality child rearing. Outside larger societal forces explain changes in the family such as economics. USA in the 1960’s as service economy pays low salaries. Couples had to work outside the home to maintain a middle class lifestyle. 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 16

Critique of functionalism [I] n n n Inability to deal with social conflict as conflict is intrinsic to family life Assuming society as a homogenous whole with consensus over norms Presenting an ideal heterosexual couple based on gender role expectations, SFT did not see that cultural values and family structures change. 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 17

Critique of SFT [II] n n n SFT focuses on a macro-analysis of large social systems & assumes that maintaining a steady state is important. Neglecting ideology, implying consensus will come about Inability to deal with meaning and change Failing to recognise social actors’ capacity Not allowing diverse family forms 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 18

Functionalism as a perspective n n Does it make any sense nowadays? Do you think society still shapes our action and social identity? Is the analogy between social systems and organic systems appropriate? Does the family in Hong Kong still perform the functions as Parsons saw it? 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 19

Strengths of SFT n n Concepts still in use from SFT include the organic analogy, equilibrium, and instrumental and expressive roles in the analysis of family relationships. Useful for cross cultural studies, SFT provides us with an understanding of different family forms and why they work. 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 20

Application of SFT n n n n Alternative life styles Coping with family stress Normative family transitions Post-divorce families Pre-marital sex & cohabitation Dual income families Gendered styles of caregiving 01/02/2022 Roger wai-hong KWAN, City. U/SHU 21