Talcott Parsons and other structural functionalists argued
A) diverse family forms are an essential feature of modern life.
B) the nuclear family is the "normal family" in modern society.
C) a "Big Bang" in family life occurred during the 1960s.
D) families are less and less important in modern society.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons and other structural functionalists argued that the nuclear family, which consists of a heterosexual couple and their dependent children, is the "normal family" in modern society. They viewed the family as a social institution that performs essential functions for society, such as socializing children and regulating sexual behavior. Other forms of family, such as single-parent families or same-sex couples, were seen as deviant or abnormal. While diverse family forms may exist in modern society, structural functionalists emphasized the importance of the nuclear family.

Talcott Parsons and Other Structural Functionalists Argued