Answer to Question #301802 in Sociology for Sedi

Question

Explain how functionalism theorists see the role of family in society

Answer 1

Functionalists justify that families are an important social structure and that it plays a major role in ensuring balance in society.

 A family is responsible for the education of children which will help them gain self-discipline and responsibility, producing food which is one of the main basic needs that will give them good health and caring for the sick to avoid emotional stress within the family – basically, it does everything for all its members.

The nuclear family has the role to teach children the norms and values of society which provides direction on how to behave in difficult situations. Parents teach their children good manners, politeness, and courtesy in how they behave and talk to their elders.

A family provides psychological security through showing love and care to the children and other family members. Also, security in general, especially for men requires personality stabilization and enough rest to provide for the family known as the warm bath theory.

Parents also teach children gender roles. For men, working outside of the family is a requirement and a duty that provides financial stability and establishes family status. For Women, it involves work inside of the family which provides emotional support and physical care like cooking, cleaning.

Families also have a needed role to raise children through reproduction and also ensure that sexuality is practiced in a way it is social-appropriate, to avoid occurrences of early teenage pregnancies that will emotionally affect those in the society.