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Description
This final programme in the section of the course which deals with socialisation is introduced by Dr Derek Corcoran, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the Open University. It is concerned with the f...amily as a social institution. He introduces Dr Ruth Finnegan, Lecturer in Sociology. Dr Finnegan takes two case studies, a family in rural Ireland and a family in Northern India and looks at how each family performs its functions. She begins with a film of the Irish family, describing the primary functions of reproduction, child maintenance, social welfare and socialisation. Dr Finnegan continues with more film of the Irish family to consider its political, economic, recreational and religious functions, which she describes as secondary. This approach is then applied to a family in the Himalayan foothills of Northern India in the village of Andhevi. Dr Finnegan uses film from the BBC series "The Family of Man" to illustrate her analysis. She finds many differences of detail between the two case studies but the same functions within each. She points out some of the difficulties that arise with this approach, but concludes that it is a useful method of analysis.
Metadata describing this Open University video programme
Module code and title: D100, Understanding society: a foundation course
Item code: D100; 09
First transmission date: 07-03-1971
Published: 1971
Rights Statement:
Restrictions on use:
Duration: 00:23:45
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Producer: Victor Lockwood
Contributors: Derek Corcoran; Ruth H. Finnegan
Publisher: BBC Open University
Keyword(s): Eire; India
Footage description: Derek Corcoran introduces the topic for this unit. Ruth Finnegan previews the unit. The concept of "function" will be used to examine two families, one in rural Ireland and the other in Northern India. Primary as well as secondary functions of the family will be examined. Film shots of rural Irish family (Catholic) at dinner. Grace is said. Shots of the children performing various tasks in the home and on the farm. The mother gives her views on large families to the interviewer. The following four primary functions are shown on the film 1. Socially accepted reproduction. 2. Child maintenance. 3. Social welfare, 4. Socialisation. Some secondary functions of family life are shown in film shots of the same family. Family shown at work on the farm. Children shown learning the Irish language. Family at play and at prayer. Children undergoing religious instruction. Finnegan summarises the secondary functions shown in the film. Finnegan briefly discusses life in a "joint family" in Northern India as background to the film shots of the Lambadar family. She asks students to look for common factors in the functions of this and the Irish family. Film, shots of life in the Lambadar family of Andheri, India. Socialisation of the children is discussed by the commentator. Shots of older child looking after younger siblings. Finnegan discusses the basic functions evident in the film. She does this with the aid of a diagram. Secondary functions of the Lambadar family taken up. Economic, political, recreational, religious, and placement functions. These are all shown on a diagram. Finnegan reviews family functions and finds that they are basically the same for both families. Finnegan discusses reasons for introducing concepts such as "functions" to sociological analysis. Corcoran sums up and previews the next unit.
Master spool number: 6LT/10040
Production number: 00520_1209
Videofinder number: 419
Available to public: no