Evaluating The Main Functions Of The Family In Modern Caribbean Society

Name: Rina Promesse

Institution: University of the West Indies

ID#: 3142003

TOPIC

Talcott Parsons has suggested that with increasing institutional role specialization in Morden Societies, the family has taken fewer functions (SOCI1002 UWI Course Material p.266)

Based on your experiences, apply this functionalist perspective to evaluate the main functions of a Caribbean family today.

Talcott Parsons “Family Theory” has proven to be effective in explaining the functions of the family and increased institutional roles in Modern Caribbean Society.

Unity is strength, the family is the strongest foundation for the development of individuals in society especially in the nurturing and upbringing of our younger generations. In the foot prints

A Caribbean family can be described as a close and intimate group surviving in a setting of intense experiences, understood as the primary group in social order (UWI course material, unit 8, pg., 19) There are different types of Families existing in our Caribbean Society, some of which are descendants of blacks, or whites, Indians and mixed who migrated to the Caribbean to work either as slaves or as Masters. They brought with them different cultures and folkways. Slattery, 1985 describes culture as a way of life of a particular society, its members, customs, belief, and tradition. They also had to adapt to the Caribbean environment through the adaptation process. This involved the mobilization of resources so that the systems can survive. Through socialization and interaction among groups in the system, people are better able blend into a society that already exist and partake in different economic activities. The functional prerequisites deals with the relationship with the systems and its environment. The systems includes the family and the economic institutions such as agriculture, industry and services. People in those times gained class through ascribed status such as Father being the breadwinner and being solely responsible for obtaining economic resources. Merton (1910), functionalist who also believed that a

The education system at the level of social system are all part and parcel. Parson, 1967 refers to latent functions as cultural motivation systems. Socialization is one of the key elements especially with respect to a child’s upbringing and also the ongoing socialization that occurs throughout life. In the Caribbean the Education system is responsible for educating children, other sporting and recreational facilities are built in most of the communities as a form of leisure, talent building and relaxation for family members. In the olden days, the family was the main source for recreational activities, folklore, songs, rituals which brought family close to together after a busy day. The creole life styles are still instilled in us by our African heritage. Barrow 1996 emphasis on the significant changes of the system. Merton, 1910 made the distinction between manifest and latent functions. Manifest functions are those that are intended and recognized for example one manifest functions of Education is learning. In the same breath, schools are providing a free babysitting service to parents hence increasing man power available for employment and this is the latent function of education (Merton, 1910). He further added that the consequences that are functional to one