Topic > Talcott Parson's Nuclear Family Argument

The nuclear family concept defines a couple and their dependent children as a basic social unit (Bittman & Pixley 1997: 1-3). The nuclear family is largely linked to industrialism, with the belief that it was a product of this evolutionary change. This notion will be explored through Talcott Parsons, who argues that it was the nuclear family that encouraged the development of the industrial revolution (1955: 17-45). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Preindustrial society illustrates families meeting the many needs of their relatives. Parsons believes that the creation of the nuclear family is in line with his theory of social evolution (1955: 17). The evolution of society involves the evolution of social institutions that operate with fewer practices. Therefore, families no longer meet a wide range of requirements. Instead, specialized institutions take on many of the functions of the preindustrialized family (Parsons 1955: 17-19). Parsons argued that the nuclear family is an adaptable form in line with institutionalized, political and economic values ​​that strive for achievement over ascription (1955: 20-22). The relative smallness of the nuclear family compared to other family ties is an adaptation that allows family members to become mobile and spatial in the new modern industrial system. (Parsons 1955: 22) Parsons argues that "status is achieved rather than ascribed" in an industrial society (1955: 34). Judgments are shaped by values ​​that are communally applicable to all, and family status is attributed to values ​​that are applicable only to specific people. These two types of values, however, can become a conflict within a family. For example, if the son is a lawyer and the father is a factory worker, collective values ​​would assign the son a sophisticated social status which, compared to the father, could undermine his authority. However, particularistic values ​​of family life would give the father more status and authority within the family. In any case, values ​​can create conflicts. The nuclear family, however, discourages these conflicts because it is a force adaptable to the needs of an industrial society (Parsons 1955: 34-36). Parson's argument that the nuclear family was an adaptable force that encouraged the development of industrial society revolution is undermined by Peter Laslett (Parsons 1955: 17-22; Laslett 1972). Laslett identified that between the 16th and 19th centuries, approximately 10% of families contained relatives outside the household (Laslett 1972). This suggests that the pre-industrial family system did not live in single residences but instead appears to have been the normal type of group residence. However, Laslett found no evidence that the extended family was extensive and provided means to the smaller nuclear family of modern industrial society. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Through Talcott Parson's argument, it is evident that the nuclear family is not linked to industrial society because it is a product of it, but rather because it may have been one of the encouraging factors in its development. While Parson's argument may be discredited due to Haslett's findings, it is still important to recognize that the nuclear family is an adaptable force that aligns with economic, political, and institutionalized values ​​that emphasize success rather than failure. attribution..