Comparative Essay Sample: Structural Functionalism Theory and the Feminist Family Theory

According to the American Museum of Natural History, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate laws, hypotheses, and facts. The two theories being presented in this essay are the Structural Functionalism Theory and the Feminist Family Theory. Simply looking at the name of these theories there seems to be no connection. Dig a little deeper and there are many colliding ideas within the two theories. One overall theme that is highlighted between the two theories is the idea of a nuclear family. While one side believes in one structure and no change the other side believes in change and movement within the structure. A deeper explanation of each topic will help to grasp a better understanding of what each theory is and how they connect to a nuclear family.

The human body is made up of many different parts. These include organs, bones, muscles, and skin just to name a few. As time has progressed it can be seen that each of these parts has evolved. The same can be said about society, more specifically the structural functionalism theory. Within the theory itself, there are two central components. The first one is that the function of families is to produce and socialize children.  The key idea of this is that families function is to procreate and socialize their children for the greater good of society, and to help fill the institution needed for society to function. Early sociologists Comte and Durkheim related society to a body because of the “functions” both perform. The same way the heart pumps blood to the body for it to work and survive is the same way families must fit the ideal structure to help their children to grow to help society. The second central component is that all systems have functions. The idea of this is that each person, family, institution, and society as a whole has a function to carry out. An example of this is how early scientists such as Talcott Parsons believed that “The key to societal survival was the shared norms and values held by its members.  deviation from those Norms led to disorganization, which threatens the survival of the system”(C). Anything that would lead away from these norms would “create imbalance” within society. Parsons stated that “Because the family is the key system in society, according to his view, divorce, teen Rebellion, non-marital sex, and single Parenthood all threatened the structure and/ or the functions of the family and therefore needed to be avoided”(C). This structure within the family helps to show what structural functionalism is about. Parson concluded that for there to be structure within a family there must be roles assigned to the parents. These families are considered nuclear families. A family which is “perfect” and fits societal norms. A family in which males should meet the physical needs of the family, while females would help with the emotional needs of the family. This example of structural functionalism within a family is how sociologists view the structural-functionalist theory. Whether it be the social interaction we have with each other or the roles within our family, everyone has a role that must be accomplished. Anything did outside of this certain role or any change that is made from it could cause society to crumble down. 

What if the ideas of the social construct theory were challenged. Where the perspective of women staying at home and men going to work is no longer viewed as the norm. This idea is the feminist family theory, the idea that gender is a social construct. The idea is that a nuclear family does not need to fit the societal construct. The idea is that women have been given a disadvantage because of social, political, economic, and religious ways. To get a better understanding of the feminist theory there has to be an explanation of the roots. One of the first instances of feminism breaking societal norms was when Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony fought for the right for women to vote. This push for equal rights helped to form the idea of feminism and challenge society's structural norms. The modern feminist movement began in the 1960s, “Leaders in the movement, like Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, and  the National Organization for Women, work towards resolution of issues such as equal pay and  job training for women, reproductive Choice, maternity leave, subsidized child care, and an end to sex discrimination.”(292). By going through the historical events in time it can be seen that women have been left out and ignored. One of the main reasons for that is the idea of gender. Gender is seen by many to be the difference of sex between people. When in reality it is the “Social meanings of masculinity and femininity that are produced through social processes and interactions that produced ‘men’  and ‘women’ ”(294). The feminist family Theory helps to create the image that gender roles have been throughout history defined by society, not by biology. The theory helps push the viewpoint that today's society is changing, but there is still resistance. Some resistance can be attributed to the view of the structural-functionalism Theory, and the idea of the nuclear family. The feminist family Theory helps to challenge the view of the nuclear family. The theory challenges the nuclear definition, because of the way that it restricts women's roles. “Research data indicate that the most successful family relationships are based on loving friendships, models of equality, intimacy, caring, and cooperation.  you call these apply to more than simply the traditional nuclear family”(296). Feminist family theorists pushed to uncover forms of power differential within families. Examples of this can be “influences in decision-making, uneven division of labor, and differences in cost when leaving a relationship”(297). The Feminist family theory pushes to challenge the perspective that society has set in place. Whether it is pushing for women to not be viewed in their set “role”, or pushing for change within the set structure within society. 

Both the feminist family Theory and structure functionalism Theory differentiate from each other based on the structural building of society each interprets.  On one hand, you have a view that believes Society runs like the human body and each part of it is essential to work, any change in these parts is ill viewed and could cause destruction to the whole.  While the other side challenges the idea of the parts constructing of the body and believes that new and different interpretations of the parts can help build and grow the body. Although both are such broad topics they can both be traced to the idea of a "nuclear family". The Structural functionalism Theory believes families should run just like the way society should be run. Men have positions and roles that need to be taken care of,  and women have different roles and positions that need to be taken care of.  The theory believes that like Society these roles within a family help build the perfect family and shouldn't be changed. While the feminist family Theory believes that these rules are only set by society and in reality offer no advantage, but a disadvantage towards women. The theory believes that the idea that men and women have set positions and needs presents a disadvantage towards women because they are not allowed to grow or to take positions that men are “ destined” for. In the end, both theories have evidence and proof to back each other up, but as time goes on people stray away from the idea of a structure and a “perfect” Society. The reason for this is as time goes on the body evolves and so do its parts,  in the end, evolution is for the better. Society functions in the same way and the end the evolution and adoption of new theories help Society grow.