Functions and dysfunctions of the family as an institution

GP Murdock defined family as a union of two adults of opposite sex engaged in economic cooperation and reproduction.

Functions of family

1. GP Murdock defined following functions

• reproduction
• Economic cooperation
• Sexual gratification

1. Durkheim argued that family contribute to socialisation and value development in the children.
2. Economic placement of the members
3. Basis of religious rituals and practices for ex- Shradh, marriage, funeral etc. as discussed by Ghurye
4. Value consensus generation (Parsons)
5. Basis for kinship, lineage and descent system.
6. Stabilisation of adult personality (Parsons)

Dysfunctions

1. Christine Delphy Considers family as an ecmomic system which exploit the unpaid labor of women.
2. According to Ann Oakley, family has assigned reproductive roles to the women, thus patriarchy perpetuates.
3. Conflict Theorist argue that family suppresses the individual liberty, and innovation.
4. Althusser treats family as an ideological apparatus which imbibes passivity in the members (ie. submissivity).
5. low status of women in family, exploitative authority of Karta in joint family etc.
6. Marxist suggest that family system perpetuates the private property, hence class syptem continues.