The Sociology Book

300

F A M I L I E S A R E

F A C T O R I E S T H A T

P R O D U C E H U M A N

P E R S O N A L I T I E S

TALCOTT PARSONS (1902–1979)

M

any of the writings

of the sociologist

Talcott Parsons

focused on American society

in the 1940s and 1950s. Parsons

(influenced by the work of Émile

Durkheim and Max Weber)

claimed that the US economic order

required a smaller family unit. The

family, Parsons believed, is one of

several institutions, such as the

education system and the law, that

have roles that support one another

and enable the stable functioning

of society as a whole.

From Parsons’ perspective, the

modern nuclear family—in which

a husband, wife, and their children

live relatively isolated from their

extended family and community—

is the prime agent of socialization.

People derive status and roles from

their various positions in the family.

Although during World War II

Children learn their

gender roles from

their parents.

Adults in the

nuclear family perform

gender-appropriate

roles that ensure a

stable society.

Families are

factories that

produce human

personalities.

IN CONTEXT

FOCUS

Socialization of children

and stabilization of adults

KEY DATES

1893 In The Division of Labor

in Society, sociologist Émile

Durkheim suggests that

divisions in work are essential

for maintaining economic,

moral, and social order.

1938 US sociologist Louis

Wirth claims industrialization

is destroying extended

families and communities.

1975 British sociologist

David Morgan, influenced

by feminist theory, argues in

Social Theory and the Family

that privileging the nuclear

family is potentially harmful.

1988 In The Sexual Contract,

British political scientist

Carole Pateman reveals

that the notion of “separate

but equal” hides the power

men have in both the private

and public spheres.