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FUNCTIONALISM
Functionalism was the prevailing sociological paradigm in mid-twentieth-century U.S.A., with Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) as its leading exponent, especially in the 1930s to 1950s/early 1960s. But since the late 1970s, Functionalism has been much criticised.
It had its origins in combining the approach of Emile Durkheim (French, 1858-1917) with parts of the interactionist approach of Max Weber (German, 1864-1920). Durkheim has been called "the father of Functionalism" but it is equally valid to see Durkheim as commentator on modernity and the bad effects of industrialization and equally it is possible to see Durkheim as a radical, as opposed to the generally conservative stanceof Functionalism.
Functionalism relies on shared assumptions and provides a grand theory of society: a meta-narrative. It is an approach to Sociology which is concerned with structure not individuals (this is one of the principal reasons why it has fallen out of favour).
Functionalism relies on making comparisons with Biology; especially Human Biology. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, but each part has a vital function in the human body.
In Functionalism, the various parts of society are inter-dependent but together they form a complete system where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. The structure of society is the sum of all social relationships. Major aspects of the social structure are Family, the Economy, Education, Work, and Politics.
These institutions provide roles for each individual together with norms which govern behaviour thereat together with values which should be defended.
Each part of society has a function. However, function (in this context) has several meanings.
1. the relationship between parts of the structure and the relationship of each part to society as a whole.
2. effect
3. contribution to the maintenance and survival of the social system.
In an institutions, the structure is made up of inter-connected roles and inter-related norms. Thus in the Family. the roles of husband, wife, parent, child, are structured within a set of related norms. The family exists partly for the socialisation of new members (=children); the function of the family is to pass on a set of learned and shared values and norms.
Functionalism suggests that societies have basic needs in order to survive. These are known as functionalist pre-requisites.
Food and Shelter provide for the maintenance of life.
Family and Culture provide for social life.
In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, these are both low order requirements.
(see overleaf for a Maslow diagram).
Functionalism relies on a value consensus. In mid C20 U.S.A.
1. Materialism is seen as the integrating value of society.
The values of a society which relies on materialism.
2. The economy is dedicated to production of large range of goods, increasing productivity is an important goal, leading to increased consumption.
3. Education is (largely) about the production of skills and expertise to expand production and increase efficiency.
4. The family is an important unit of consumption.
5. Politics is about improving material living standards and raising productivity.
In mid-twentieth-century Britain (as in the U.S.A. and most of western Europe), a particular set of values applied:
1. A feeling of security from the early 1950s to 1973, following the insecurity of the years of the Second World War and its destruction.
