Family Functions: A Structural-Functional Analysis

"Family Functions: A Structural-Functional Analysis" explores the role of the family as a fundamental social institution, particularly from a functionalist perspective. This viewpoint emphasizes that families fulfill essential functions for both individual members and society at large, including reproduction, socialization, emotional support, and the regulation of sexual behavior. Traditional marriage is framed as a mutually beneficial arrangement where distinct gender roles provide support and stability to family members. However, the analysis also addresses the impact of social change, noting that rising rates of single-parent households and divorce reflect a disorganization of the family structure.

The overview acknowledges that while the family traditionally provides social status and support, shifts in societal norms have led to diverse family forms, including same-sex couples and non-traditional arrangements. Criticisms of the functionalist approach highlight its limitations in addressing issues such as gender inequality and the complexities of modern family dynamics. This exploration invites readers to consider the evolving nature of family structures and the ways in which they adapt to cultural changes, emphasizing that new forms of families can contribute positively to societal needs and individual fulfillment.

Published in: 2021

By: Wienclaw, Ruth A.

Subject Terms

Family Functions: A Structural-Functional Analysis

From the functionalist point of view, the institution of the family helps meet the needs of its members and contributes to the stability of the society at large. In this view, marriage is seen as a mutually beneficial exchange between members of two genders, each of which enacts traditional gender roles, with women receiving protection, economic support, and status from their husbands and men receiving emotional and sexual support, household maintenance, and the production of children from their wives. Functionalists view the social institution of the family as breaking down under the strains being experienced by society as a result of rapid social change. From the functionalist perspective, trends such as single parent families, families with a female head of household, and the high rate of divorce that are experienced in many societies today are a result of the breakdown and disorganization of the institution of the family. There are, however, a number of serious criticisms of the functionalist perspective of the family — in particular that it does not take into account many of the realities of postmodern life.

Keywords Extended Family; Feminism; Functionalism; Gender; Gender Inequality; Gender Role; Industrialization; Norms; Nuclear Family; Postindustrial; Status; Social Change; Social Institution; Socialization; Society; Sociocultural Evolution

Family & Relationships > Family Functions: A Structural-Functional Analysis

Family Functions: A Structural-Functional Analysis

Overview

Social scientists use the term "family" to refer to a number of different social groups. A nuclear family, for example, is defined as a married couple and their unmarried children living under one roof. This rather restricted group is called "nuclear" because it is the nucleus around which other, larger familial groups center. For example, an extended family includes the nuclear family in addition to any other family members (e.g., grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles) that live together under one roof. Although this type of family was more prevalent in previous centuries, it still occurs today and theoretically offers the family members greater social support. However, just as the percentage of extended familial living arrangements has declined over time, so, too, has the percentage of nuclear familial living arrangements, particularly in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. The number of single parent families is on the rise not only in the United States, but in other postindustrial societies as well due in part to such factors as high divorce rates and the decision of some individuals to have children outside of marriage. Many people today also view committed homosexual couples as families, regardless of their legal marital status, as well as committed heterosexual couples who have chosen not to get married. The definition of "family" also becomes more complicated with divorce and remarriage, as step parents, step siblings, and half siblings are thrown into the mix.

Family Views

Each of the major sociological perspectives views family in a different way. From the functionalist point of view, the institution of the family helps meet the needs of its members and contributes to the stability of the society at large. Functionalists attempt to explain the nature of social order, the relationship between the various parts (structures) in society, and their contribution to the stability of the society by examining the functionality of each to determine how it contributes to the stability of society as a whole. Functionalists also stress the importance of social institutions that are based on common values of the members of the society. Within this broad perspective, functionalists view the family as important because it meets a number of important needs of the society, including producing children to replace members that have died, socializing those children so that they act within the norms and expectations of the society, regulating sexual activity, providing physical care for family members, assigning identity to individuals, and providing psychological support and emotional security to its members. According to functionalists, marriage — which they see as the sine qua non of the family — is a mutually beneficial exchange between members of two genders. From the functionalist perspective, within the social institution of marriage, women receive protection, economic support, and status from their husbands and men receive emotional and sexual support, household maintenance, and the production of children from their wives. In this traditional view of marriage and family, functionalists also view family as the primary place in which children are cared for and taught the values of the society.

Functions of the Family

According to functionalists, there are six major functions of the family.

The family is a social institution in which it is socially acceptable to reproduce. This function of the family helps to repopulate the society and replace members who have died.
The family is the societal unit in which the norms of sexual behavior are most clearly defined. Although the norms of sexual behavior may change over time or across cultures, within any given temporal and cultural situation, it is the family that best defines these norms.
Functionalists posit that family is important because it offers protection to its members. Certainly, young humans need social and economic support as well as constant care in order to survive and become contributing members of society. The family is the venue in which much of this takes place. Although other social institutions (e.g., school, church) may contribute to the rearing of the children of a society, it is within the family that the primary responsibility remains.
Families act as a socializing agent that monitors the behavior of its members (particularly its children), and teaches them to differentiate between what the society regards as acceptable versus unacceptable behavior and act in a manner that is appropriate for the needs of the society.
The family unit offers affection and companionship to its members, thereby helping them to feel secure and satisfied. Other social institutions provide these rewards as well, of course. However, according to functionalists, although other institutions may provide some rewards on occasion, family members expect to receive these within the family (e.g., one tends to expect one's family to help out in a crisis or to comfort one in times of need).
Families provide social status to their members. One's initial position within a society is a result of the social standing and status of one's family. In addition, the resources of the family help one attain a higher social status through allowing one to take advantages of higher education or other opportunities that allow one to attain the position in society that one desires.

In addition to these six major functions, families fulfill numerous other functions. However, these are more likely to evolve over time than are the major functions discussed above. For example, before the institution of centralized school systems, much of the education of a society's young took place in the home. Today, however, in most societies children are schooled in public or private institutions that, at least in theory, enable them to receive a better or more standardized education that will better socialize them and help them acquire the skills and knowledge that are deemed important by the society. Similarly, at one time, much of the religious education of children and even the continuing religious activities of individuals took place within the family (e.g., family devotions including Bible reading and prayer). However, increasingly, responsibility for these activities has shifted to religious institutions and away from the family. Even recreational activities that were once the primary purview of the family are now frequently offered by other groups such as sports leagues, health clubs, and other groups.

According to the functionalist perspective, societal change has a negative impact on the family by weakening the consensus on which it is based. As a result, during times of societal transition, families become disorganized and do not well meet their traditional purposes. In contemporary Western postmodern society, for example, many functionalists view the social institution of the family as breaking down under the strains being experienced by society as a result of rapid social change. According to functionalists, these changes often result in a shift in the functions typically carried out by the family to other social institutions. For example, just as social change in earlier generations caused a shift in educational responsibilities from the home to the school system, so, too, today there is a change in the school system to meet the changing needs of the family. As more and more women choose to have both a career and a family and more and more adults put in longer hours at work, school systems have lengthened their hours in order to provide care for children while their parents work. Functionalists tend to see this shifting of responsibilities as a further cause of social disorganization because the families are no longer meeting their primary functions and other social institutions need to change in order to accommodate this fact so that the needs of the society's members can continue to be met. From the functionalist perspective, trends such as single parent families, families with a female head of household, and the high rate of divorce that are experienced in many societies today are a result of the breakdown and disorganization of the institution of the family.

Applications

Functional Perspective of the Family

The functional perspective of the family is not without its limitations. Part of the focus of sociology is to study the way that social institutions change over time. For example, sociologists study the changes in social institutions as societies change from being hunting and gathering societies, to horticultural, to agrarian, to industrial and beyond. Over time, individuals banded together to form groups and eventually societies. These societies developed social institutions to meet the needs of their members. The social institutions then changed in the process of sociocultural evolution to meet the changing needs of the societies. Few people today would advocate that our society should abandon our industrial and postindustrial ways and go back to being a collection of hunters and gatherers. Yet, that is what the functionalist view of the traditional family suggests if carried to the extreme.

Other sociological perspectives have other views of the family. Certainly, feminists take umbrage with the functionalist view of the family, with its emphasis on traditional gender roles. Like functionalists, feminists believe that the traditional family with its highly delineated gender roles is a reflection of the values of society. However, unlike functionalists, feminists believe that this delineation is unhealthy and involves a power imbalance between women and men. Further, whereas functionalists believe that changes in the traditional structure of the family are negative, feminists view change as positive, reflecting the fact that society in general is becoming more egalitarian. The functionalist view of the family is also at odds with the conflict view. Like functionalists and feminists, conflict theorists believe that family structures reflect and reinforce societal values, but they also view families as venues for conflict arising over the differing interests of the family members. Conflict theorists also believe that family structures change as the economic organizations of the society change, although they do not necessarily view this as a negative result as do functionalists. Finally, symbolic interactionists view families as meeting the basic needs of their members and helping individuals to develop meaningful relationships. Similar to the view held by functionalists, symbolic interactionists believe that families are the place where individuals learn their social identities. However, as opposed to functionalists, symbolic interactionists believe that the nature of what constitutes a family changes as individuals and society develop new perspectives on what constitutes a family.

In addition to these differing perspectives on the nature and functions of the family, there are a number of general criticisms that exist regarding the functionalist view of the family. Many observers have criticized functionalists as idealizing the family. Families can be psychologically messy places. Although one might want to be able to count on the family for emotional support, for example, some can never do so. Perhaps one of the most egregious examples of a dysfunctional family is one in which there is either spousal or child abuse. Many of these families can be structured on the traditional pattern of a family with a division of labor based on gender, but one or more members may still physically, emotionally, or sexually abuse others in the family. The functionalist perspective does not account for such cases well.

Gender Inequality

Similarly, the functionalist view of the "ideal" family ignores the gender inequality that it generates and supports. Scientific research has found no difference in intelligence between women as a group and men as a group. As the need for men to work outside the home because of their greater size and strength and for women to work inside the home because of the biological ability to nurse children has changed with advances in technology and sociocultural evolution, industrial and postindustrial societies are increasingly recognizing the equality between women and men and becoming more egalitarian in nature. As a result, increasing numbers of women are working outside the home. This is good for those women who are fulfilling their potential in this manner. In addition, this practice is also good for the society in which they live because it helps ensure that the best person — whether female or male — is on the job, thereby helping the society to advance. The melding of gender roles required by postmodern families is also good for the families themselves.

Some observers have posited that today's complex society is best supported by flexible rather than traditional gender roles as are suggested by the functionalist view of the family. Particularly in today's rapidly changing postindustrial societies with their quickly changing technological demands and opportunities, faster communications channels, and globalization, adaptability is a characteristic greatly to be desired. However, the traditional, functionalist view of the family does not support this characteristic. Yet, research has shown that androgynous individuals (i.e., those who have both feminine and masculine characteristics or traits as opposed to following rigid, traditional gender roles) tend to be more flexible when coping with difficult situations and also tend to be more satisfied with their lives (Coon, 2001). By breaking out of traditional gender roles, women can be better able to take care of themselves when a man is not available to do so by learning to display instrumental behaviors. Similarly, when men learn to be more androgynous and demonstrate more expressive behavior when appropriate (e.g., fathers can be more nurturing to their mates and children or can learn to express their emotions and communicate more fully), they can also be better prepared to function in today's postmodern society.

In addition, the functionalist view of the family ignores the high rate of divorce that requires the existence of non-traditional families. Functionalists view those families that do not comprise a married couple and their children as being dysfunctional. Yet many single parent and female head of household families exist and function well. The functionalist perspective does not account for such cases well, nor does it account for the many functional families based around same-sex couples. Similarly, the functionalist view of the family does not take into account the need of society for new and different family structures in addition to or instead of the traditional family. To maximize the effectiveness and functionality of the society as a whole, it is necessary for the family structure to change and grow to support the changing requirements of the postmodern age.

Conclusion

The functionalists view change in society and the family as a negative thing. However, change is not necessarily negative: change can also mean growth. The demands for a society to function effectively in today's global environment require change. The family needs to function differently in order to support these changes or the society will be left behind within the global marketplace. This is not to say, of course, that the traditional view of the family with a married couple and children is wrong or even that women are wrong to choose to stay at home and raise a family rather than work outside the home. However, it does mean that this is not the only paradigm that is effective or functional, nor is it — as opposed to the functionalist view — the only paradigm for the family that is needed by the society that it supports.

Terms & Concepts

Extended Family: A nuclear family (i.e., a married couple and their children) in addition to any other family members (e.g., grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles) that live together under one roof. The term is also sometimes used less formally in Western societies to include other relatives with whom one has regular communication but with whom one does not live.

Feminism: An ideology that is opposed to gender stratification and male dominance. Feminist beliefs and concomitant actions are intended to help bring justice, fairness, and equity to all women and aid in the development of a society in which women and men are equal in all areas of life.

Functionalism: A theoretical framework used in sociology that attempts to explain the nature of social order, the relationship between the various parts (structures) in society, and their contribution to the stability of the society by examining the functionality of each to determine how it contributes to the stability of society as a whole. Also referred to as structural functionalism.

Gender: Psychological, social, cultural, and behavioral characteristics associated with being female or male. Gender is defined by one's gender identity and learned gender role.

Gender Inequality: Disparities among individuals based solely on their gender rather than objective differences in skills, abilities, or other characteristics. Gender inequalities may be obvious (e.g., not receiving the same pay for the same job) or subtle (e.g., not being given the same subjective opportunities for advancement).

Gender Role: Separate patterns of personality traits, mannerisms, interests, attitudes, and behaviors that are regarded as "male" and "female" by one's culture. Gender role is largely a product of the way in which one was socialized and may not be in conformance with one's gender identity.

Industrialization: The use of mechanization to produce the economic goods and services within a society. Historically, industrialization is a society's transition between farm production and manufacturing production. Industrialization is associated with factory production, division of labor, and the concentration of industries and populations within certain geographical areas and concomitant urbanization.

Norms: Standards or patterns of behavior that are accepted as normal within the culture.

Nuclear Family: A married couple and their unmarried children, living under one roof. This is referred to as "nuclear" because it is the nucleus around which other, larger familial groups center.

Postindustrial: The nature of a society whose economy is no longer dependent on the manufacture of goods (i.e., industrial), but is primarily based upon the processing and control of information and the provision of services.

Status: A socially established position within a society or other social structure that carries with it a recognized level of prestige.

Social Change: The significant alteration of a society or culture over time. Social change involves social behavior patterns, interactions, institutions, and stratification systems as well as elements of culture including norms and values.

Social Institution: An organized pattern of belief and behavior that is established in order to meet the needs of the society. Examples of social institutions include the family and schools.

Socialization: The process by which individuals learn to differentiate between what the society regards as acceptable versus unacceptable behavior and act in a manner that is appropriate for the needs of the society.

Society: A distinct group of people who live within the same territory, share a common culture and way of life, and are relatively independent from people outside the group. Society includes systems of social interactions that govern both culture and social organization.

Sociocultural Evolution: The process by which a society develops through the growth of its stores of cultural information.

Bibliography

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Coon, D. (2001). Introduction to psychology: Gateways to mind and behavior (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

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Family Functions: A Structural-Functional Analysis

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Subject Terms

Family Functions: A Structural-Functional Analysis

Family & Relationships > Family Functions: A Structural-Functional Analysis

Family Functions: A Structural-Functional Analysis

Overview

Family Views

Functions of the Family

Applications

Functional Perspective of the Family

Gender Inequality

Conclusion

Terms & Concepts

Bibliography

Suggested Reading