Identify and explain one Functionalist perspective the functions of the family. (4 marks)

According to the Functionalist Murdock, the family fulfills 4 key roles which enables society to function adequately. The first function is reproduction, meaning that heterosexual parents reproduce their own offsprings. Secondly, the family encourages economic co-operation, as it enables a gendered division of labour, where the father can both fulfil his breadwinner role and benefit the economy by working, while the mother figure can stay at home to socialise their children into the norms and values of society. Linked to this, Murdock argued that the family has an educational function, as it prepares the younger generation to be functional members of society by teaching them skills for survival, for example, what procedures they should carry out when they face any form of danger. Lastly, Murdock argued the family provides sexual gratification, as heterosexual parents in a socially approved way can fulfil each other's needs, and stabilise their adult personalities, wish enables them to remain functional members of society. Murdock argued that, if the family would not carry these roles, it would not be able to produce children who are successful members of society, causing society to cease to exist.