SOCIOL 2PP3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Talcott Parsons, Nuclear Family, Structural Functionalism
14 Nov 2017
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Roots in biological perspective"s (essentialist perspectives), biological differences between men and women, idea that biological reproduction requires and man and women, the idea that follows from that is the nuclear family is natural. Relies on animal studies, how they care for the young, used to compare to human beings. Critique: focuses on differences on males and females, but when you are trying to quantify them, when you average it, this can obscure over lap, and how they are similar. Another critique, compares to animal kingdom, this is problematic because we are different from animals. Focuses on social order and suggest that there is societal consensus over shared values. Critique: ignoring conflict, assuming shared interests and values, viewing social change as worrisome and problematic. Suggesting that nuclear family is functional for kids and families. Might say changes in nuclear families in society is detrimental. Critiques: promoting the nuclear family, viewing diverse families as problematic, assuming everyone in family has shared interest.
