Issue of Deterioration of the Family

I think that the disagreements between the conflict theory and structural functionalism in regards to the decline of the family unit are understandable. Firstly, it stems from the different ways in which these two approaches view the discussion. Structural functionalism seeks to imbue the family with meaning within society, an irreplaceable role that adds value to the larger society and facilitates certain types of behaviors. Conflict theory, then, looks at the changes in family dynamics as an example of changing power relations, and a change in how people understand both themselves and their role in society. Furthermore, I think the disagreement stems from the considerably recent decline of the nuclear family and “traditional” family values. The change has been rapid, and the society of today sees many types of families unfamiliar to older generations. The discrepancy between expectations and reality creates a need to justify the difference, so people use structural functionalism as a way to rationalize the shifts in social trends. I think that the supremacy of the breadwinner model in structural functionalism stems primarily from the inability to let go of the past and the need to maintain the existing structures of understanding society.