A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

What is one critique that David Morgan has regarding the functionalist perspective on families?

1. It accurately reflects modern family structures

2. It overgeneralizes the concept of family

3. It ignores the impact of globalization on families

4. It focuses too much on individual family members

The correct answer is: It overgeneralizes the concept of family

David Morgan critiques the functionalist perspective on families primarily for its tendency to overgeneralize the concept of family. This critique highlights that the functionalist approach often presents a one-size-fits-all model of family based on traditional definitions, which may not adequately reflect the diverse and evolving nature of family structures found in society today. By generalizing, it overlooks variations in family forms, such as single-parent families, same-sex families, and families formed through cohabitation, which do not conform to the traditional nuclear family model. This broad characterization can lead to misunderstandings about the actual dynamics, roles, and experiences within contemporary families, thereby missing the complexities and variations that exist in different social contexts. In contrast, the other answers miss the essential focus of Morgan's critique. The notion that functionalism accurately reflects modern family structures is a significant point of contention, as many argue that it does not encompass newer family dynamics. The claim that it ignores globalization does not specifically capture Morgan's main arguments, although globalization does affect family forms. Lastly, the focus too much on individual family members does not address the systemic issue of overgeneralization within the functionalist perspective, which is crucial to understanding Morgan's position.