What is a common criticism of the functionalist view of the family?

What is a common criticism of the functionalist view of the family?

• A. It presents the family as harmonious and ignores conflict
• B. It overemphasizes social conflict
• C. It ignores economic factors
• D. It overemphasizes the role of education

Answer: (A)

Functionalism portrays the family as a stable, harmonious institution that helps maintain social order through shared values and appropriate roles. A key critique is that this view sounds too rosy and glosses over the tensions and power struggles within families. By focusing on harmony and routine functions, it tends to ignore conflicts, inequalities, and abuse, especially around gender and domestic labor. Critics argue that family life can reproduce unequal structures—economic, gendered, and relational—rather than simply supporting society’s smooth operation. So the strongest critique is that the family is seen as harmonious while ignoring conflict.