Compare And Contrast The Family And Structural Functional Theory

Outline and evaluate Functionalist views of the role of the family in society. [33 marks]

Functionalist’s sees that society is made up of a range of different sub-systems which depend on each other, and that society needs these functions or order for survival and is vital towards society. Functionalists see the family as a very important sub-system, as it raises and teaches children norms and values. According to Peter Murdock, he argues that the family performs four main functions to meet the needs of society and the members of society. One of the

One of the strengths of Functional-structural perspective is positive about society. The theorists believe that the family

It comes down to focusing on what is the cause of the problem and what needs to be done to resolve it. Some assumptions that are related to this theory can include families normally related to one another in “patterned ways that are observable and predictable” (Linblad-Goldberg & Northey, 2013), most families have rules that each must follow and roles they are to play in the family unit, when they get off balance then dysfunction can and normally does occur. It is important that families have boundaries which include both inside and outside of the family. Families also have subsystems which can be based on either generation or genders.

Another concept views the Family as a Component of Society, this structural-functional theory addresses the family on a broader scale in terms of their contributions, needs and successes like other social systems (eg., educational and healthcare system (p.90, 2003).

The family developmental and life cycle theory is the studying of families, which include stages that the family move through based on life experiences, that are usually predictable depending on the stage they are in (Kaakinen, Coehlo, Steele, Tabacco, & Hanson, 2015). There are nine tasks that families must accomplish in order for the family to achieve well-being. In this discussion board post, I will be discussing task two, which is financing childbearing and child rearing.

Upon the development of theories, researchers have compiled two main sets that contain eight sub-theories; macro-level theories focus on how the family is a social institution-the organized pattern of statuses and structures, roles, and rules by which a society attempts to meet certain of its most basic needs (39)-and micro-level theories emphasize what happens within families, looking at everyday behavior, interaction between family members, patterns of communication, and so on (47). The family development theory addresses how patterned alterations that occur within families through set stages over a period of time are ever-changing. The stage is known as, the family life cycle, corresponds with how rearing children affects families throughout life. Developed by Roy Rodgers and Joan Aldous, the family career cycle, addresses how the marital and parental careers are furthermore affected by an individual's educational or occupational career. The development of the family life course characterizes a combination of all the events and stages that a family undergoes.

Comparing Bowen’s family systems theory and Minuchin’s structural family theory we will outline several fundamental categories for analysis with Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) as our guide. We also contrast the history and theoretical orientation of both men to garner a deeper understanding of their theories. Finally we will consider integrating elements of both theories and how this makes us more effective practitioners.

The Friedman Family Assessment Model draws heavy on the structure-function framework and on developmental as system theory. The model takes a broad approach to family assessment, which views families as a subsystem of society. The family is viewed as an open social system ((Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008).

There are five theories of development which are psychoanalytical, behaviorism, cognitive, socio-cultural, and epigenetic (Santrock). These theories help develop an outline from which to explain the patterns and problems of development (Berger). I am only going to discuss two of these which are psychoanalytical and behavioral.

As a functionalist view, they believed that the family had to teach the norms and values so they believed that the ‘Traditional Nuclear Family’ was the best type of family. Functionalists believed that the husband and wife have segregated

The structural family theory developed by Salvador Minuchin in the 1960’s, used to focus structural change within a dysfunctional family. The purpose of understanding the structure of the family has been to assist in creating a healthy balance within the

(Cohen, 2017) By following the Family development theory you are able to better understand the running of a family and the different dynamics that occur within it. As for the genogram, it can detect patterns in psychological health and hereditary diseases and can show how families can better their relationship for the

• Family developmental theory is an approach to studying families, which is useful in explaining patterned change, the dynamic nature of the family, and how change occurs in the family life cycle.

. Family systems theory is one of many theories that can be used to describe and analyze families. The family systems theory thinks of the family as a whole, not just as individuals. Individuals form a family system through their interaction and communication patterns. When something with an individual changes, it impacts the entire family. This theory emphasized interdependence among family members and says that problems should not be blamed on one individual, but should be looked at in terms of the family context. Individual components join together within a family system to form a whole. When a change occurs, the whole family must adapt to the new situation. This theory is a great way to look at families as a whole. There are seven descriptive features that define a family system which are: interdependence, wholeness, patterns/self-regulation, interactive complexity/punctuation, openness, complex relationships, and equifinality. Using these seven pieces, I will relate them to the family from Pieces of April and how that family uses or fails to use the features.