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GCSE Sociology · key term
A role or contribution that an institution performs for individuals or society.
Used by AQA and Eduqas
Paper 1
Revise: Functions of FamiliesA function is a role or contribution performed by an institution. Asking about family functions means looking beyond individual relationships to consider how families help organise social life.
Component 1
A role or activity that contributes to meeting the needs of individuals or society, such as caring for children or providing economic support.
Distinguish Murdock’s four functions from Parsons’s two essential functions.
Explain the educational function as learning norms and values, not just gaining school qualifications.
Distinguish losing sole responsibility for a function from no longer performing it at all.
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A function is a role or activity that helps meet people’s needs or contributes to society. Families can provide food and shelter, care for dependent members, bring up children and offer emotional support. The debate about the loss of traditional functions asks whether other parts of society now do work that families previously carried out themselves.
