The Educational Context of the Family From the Point of View of Talcott Parsons` Structural-Functional Theory in Comparison With Some Characteristics of Modern Family

Abstract

Today, there are numerous theories about the family and each of these theories approaches the basic issues of the family in a specific way. This paper deals specifically with the structural functionalistic view of the family, and since Talcott Parsons was one of its most important representatives, attention is focused on his approach to the family. The aim of our paper is to try to give a critical review of how Parsons saw the family, its functions, structure, roles, relationships between its members, the values ​​it aspired to, i.e. to look at the whole educational context of such a family. Also, we will try to compare the basic assumptions of his theory with some dominant characteristics of the functioning of a modern, i.e. to assess whether the so-called. ideological familism continues to sustain in the manner and functioning of the family of Western society. We came to the conclusion that despite the general social aspirations for the family to be based on democratic relations, much of what was characteristic of the family in the middle of the last century remains unchanged in practice, and some things are even intensified. The construct of intensive parenting was noticed as a big problem because it creates unrealistic demands for both parents and children.