Theories of the Family: Talcott Parsons

Scheduling Change Original Plan – Becker and Parsons today – Two Prominent Critiques on Tuesday New Plan (Today) – Parsons – Critiques New Plan (Tuesday) – Becker – Critiques Readings – DO NOT READ THE ASSIGNED READINGS – Instead read “Feminism and the Family” I will scan it and post it on Blackboard and the course website tonight. – IF YOU HAVE ALREADY READ THE POSTED READINGS I WILL ACCEPT A RESPONSE BASED ON THEM INSTEAD

Lecture Outline Structure of Sociological Theory Structural Functionalism: 3 Components of the social system Connections among components Functional Requisites of a Social System (AGIL) Latent Pattern Variables Volunteeristic Action Equilibrium and Change Critiques

Comparing Sociological Perspectives Four main categories: 1.Subject matter 2.Assumptions about social action 3.Methodology 4.Theoretical Objective

Subject Matter Macrosociology: the unit of analysis is a higher order than the individual – Characteristics of social structure Institutions Inequality Microsociology: the unit of analysis is the individual or interaction between individuals Communication Face-to-face encounters Decision-making processes

Assumptions about social action Actors are Predictable OR Actors are Creative Motivated by Values OR Motivated by Interests PredictableCreative Values Interests Parsons Becker

Methodology From Research Methods Knowledge Base at: Reality – A more Circuitous Approach Observation Pattern Hypothesis Theory Deductive (Top-Down) Observation Pattern Hypothesis Theory Inductive (Bottom-up) Observation Pattern Hypothesis Theory

Objectives DescribeExplain

A Sociological Theory is a Special Case of a Sociological Perspective Sociological Theory: Begins by systematically defining concepts – Also frequently lays out the underlying assumptions Puts forth empirically testable general propositions about the concepts – A theory must be falsifiable

Talcott Parsons ( ) Did his undergraduate work in Biology at Amherst College – Important to the development of his organic perspective of social systems Studied with Malinowski at LSE – European Structuralist Anthropologist Did an exchange at Heidelberg – Influenced by Max Weber’s theory of action Later translated most of Weber’s works to English Taught at Harvard between 1927 and 1973

Structural Functionalism ‘The main guiding line of the analysis is the concept that a complex social system consist of a network of interdependent and interpenetrating subsystems, each of which, seen at the appropriate level of reference, is a social system in its own right, subject to all the functional exigencies of any such system relative to its institutionalized culture and situation…” (Quoted from Calhoun et al p.431) Society is a set of mutually dependent systems Studies how each subsystem contributes to the system’s maintenance (the subsystem’s function) – Biological analogy

3 Components of the Social System 1.Cultural System: shared symbolic meanings – Religious beliefs – National values – Language – Fashion – Cuisine

2. Personality System: elements of identity The basic unit is the individual – Social needs, motivations and attitudes Gratification motivation: close to a utilitarian principle Behavioural organism – Biological needs and constraints Central nervous system Physical capabilities – Strength – Fecundity

3. Social System: modes of interaction among actors – Within the social system people act according to the principle of “optimization of gratification” – All relationships in the social system are mediated by the cultural system (roles)

Connections Among Systems Institutions Internalization (pattern variables) Socialization (roles) Cultural System Personality System Social System

Connections Among Systems: An Example of how Socialization Makes the Family “Work” Institutions Internalization (pattern variables or appropriate means to achieve goal ) Socialization (roles) Mother/Father Cultural System (Values) Personality System (needs and biological capacities) (1) Healthy Childishness, Sexual Gratification (2) Fecundity Social System Produce Children Sexual Fidelity

Parsons’ Four-Function Paradigm Applied to the United States as a Social System: AGIL Reproduced from Wallace and Wolf 1995 pp. 41 AdaptationGoal Attainment Latent Pattern Maintenance/ Tension Management Integration Economic Political Education, Religious, Family Legal

Adaptation The system’s adaptation to the material environment – Concerns the production and distribution of resources – The economy performs these functions in USA

Goal Attainment Establish system goals and mobilize resources to fulfill them – Concerns the distribution of decision-making power in society – The political institutions perform these functions in USA

Integration Provides social cohesion and solidarity – Regulates social interactions and prevents the mutual interference of systems – Also regulates conformity through the use of social control – The legal institutions perform these functions in USA

Latent Pattern Variable Maintenance Sufficiently motivates actors to fulfill their social roles Upholds the social system by transmitting values and invoking commitment to those values – Family, education, and religion perform these functions in USA

Family as a subsystem with its own needs AdaptationGoal Attainment Latent Pattern Maintenance/ Tension Management Integration Economic: Father (Breadwinner) Political: Father (Decision-Maker) Value Transmission: Mother (Housewife) Legal: Father (Co-ordinates and adjusts family relationships)

Latent Pattern Variables A series of orienting dichotomies – The meaning of a situation is determined for an actor by the side (s)he chooses on these dichotomies – Once the meaning is determined action can take place

Pattern Variables ExpressiveInstrumental Ascription Diffuseness Affectivity Particularism Collective Achievement Specificity Neutrality Universalism Private

Individual Action: Volunteeristic Action Balances utilitarian elements of motivation with normative ones S GOALS Alternative Means Actor Internalized Culture

Family as a Subsystem with its own Pattern Variables Within the family subsystem – Status is ascribed: based on age, gender and generational rank – Distribution of goods is based on collectivist principles “to each according to his needs” – Relationships are diffuse rather than specific – Familial relationships are imbued with high levels of emotional gratification – The general orientation of family members is expected to be based on collectivist principles rather than personal gain

Equilibrium Assumptions Systems tend toward equilibrium The four systems (AGIL) must perform their functions to maintain system equilibrium If the system is functioning equilibrium will be maintained through 1.Socialization 2.Social Control Malfunction!

Social Change in Structural- Functionalism Changes are gradual No great disharmony Societies become more complex/differentiated as they must re-adjust to solve more problems – Similar to Durkheim’s idea of how the division of labor develops Very close analogy to evolution

1950s as a period of Re-equilibrium The nuclear family became more isolated – Wider kinship (beyond the household) lost its functions Physical separation of households – Economic and social independence from kin – Love and physical attraction became important

Structural Functionalism: A Theory? Deductive, macro theory of society People’s actions are predictable and motivated by both values and interests (although perceptions of interests are heavily shaped by values) Empirical evidence of function could be brought to bear BUT What would Constitute Contrary Evidence?

Critiques of Structural Functionalism: Internal Structure of the Theory Teleological argument – Assumes that social structures in and of themselves have purposes and goals that benefit the system Tautological (Circular) reasoning – Uses a concept in both the cause and effect Inhibits comparative research

Critiques of Structural Functionalism: Substantive Validity Lacks a power dimension generally – Built on a consensus model of social order – Can’t account for rapid social change Socially conservative because change is dysfunctional (if as he assumes, the nuclear family is functional) – Rigid Gender Roles The assumption that the instrumental and expressive functions in a family must be carried out by two separate people

Reading Assignment Which of the feminist arguments do you find most compelling and why? What kinds of critiques apply to Parsons and which to Becker?