1. HOMEWORK – PEER ASSESSMENT
1 Mark – Definition of the ‘family life course’ (1 mark for
ONE point: E.g. the different types of families and
households which a person will live in over the
course of their lifetime)
1 Mark – Explaining the definition further (1 mark for ONE
new point: E.g. The type of family or household a
person lives in will change when their situation
changes such as the death of a loved one / an
important event such as marriage)
1 Mark – Example: E.g. when a baby girl is born she may
live in a nuclear family, but if her parents’ then
divorce, she may live in a lone-parent family.
1 Mark – Criticise: E.g. It is impossible to create a family life
course which everyone shares because everyone
has different relationships and events in their lives.

2. What are Functionalist views of the family?
Lesson Aims:
Grade A/A* - will be able to evaluate functionalist views of the family
Grade B – will be able to explain functionalist views of the family
Grade C – will be able to describe functionalist views of the family

3. STARTER ACTIVITY
Make a list of different things that family members do to support and care for each other. (tip: what are the Mums doing in the pictures?)
As humans, we all have basic needs (e.g. to eat and drink) which must be satisfied to survive. Write down some basic human needs and examples of how the family satisfies these. (E.g. to eat – provides meals)

4. What is Functionalism?
As humans, we all have basic needs (e.g. to eat, to sleep, have shelter) – the family satisfies these needs (e.g. provides children with a home and three meals-a-day)
Functionalists argue that society ALSO has basic needs which must be satisfied in order to carry on.
Each institution (or part) (e.g. the family, education) of society has its own FUNCTION which must be performed in order to satisfy the needs of individuals and society.

5. Society is like a human body…
Functionalists argue that the parts of society (e.g. the family, education) function in the same way as the organs in the human body.
Each part of society has its own function, and it must perform its function in order for society to keep going.
Each organ in the human body has its own function For example, the heart’s function is to pump blood around the body.
Each organ has to function so that the body stays alive.

6. Organs = different parts of society…
Religion
Family
Economy
Legal system
Functionalists argue that if every part of society performs its function, society will be healthy and run smoothly.

7. What would happen to the human body if the heart stopped performing its function of pumping blood around the body?
Now, what do you think a functionalist would say happens to society if one part (e.g. the family) stops performing its function?
If the heart’s function of pumping blood around the body stopped – the body would die.
Functionalists argue that if a part of society (e.g. the family) stopped performing its function – society would not run properly.

8. Functionalist perspective of the family
Lesson objectives
What are the key belief's of the Functionalist perspective of the family
What essential functions does the Nuclear family carry out according to Murdock
What are the strengths and limitations of the Functionalist approach to the family
Framework objective : to analyse and evaluate

9. Write down 3 functionalist views of the family.
Check your understanding…
Explain what Functionalists mean by saying that society is like a human body. Use examples in your answer.
Write down 3 functionalist views of the family.
Outline the 4 functions performed by the family. Use examples in your answer.
4. Write down 3 strengths and 3 limitations of the Functionalist perspective of the family ,using the P(point)E(explain)E(evidence) writing technique

10. These questions ask you to DESCRIBE and EXPLAIN.
5 Marks Exam Questions
These questions ask you to DESCRIBE and EXPLAIN.
For example, ‘Describe one family type found in Britain and explain how it is different from any other family type’
2 paragraphs:
1st para – Describe
2nd para – Explain
Describe /2
Explain /3
complete the planning sheet. TASK – In groups of 3 or 4, plan your answers to the 5 marks questions on the planning sheets.

11. One thing I have learnt about Functionalism is…

12. HOMEWORK
Answer the following 5 marks exam question for the 25th of September 2013-Wednesday period 7+8
Describe the functionalist approach to the family and explain how this approach can be criticised.