and Page believe that the extended family existed before industrialisation. They believe that the industrial revolution caused the extended family to be stripped of a number of its functions thus creating a much smaller and compact family known as the nuclear family. These two sociologists believe that the functions that were taken away from the family were transferred to more specialised agencies such as economic, recreational, educational, health, governmental and religion.
             Functionalist theorists such as Talcott Parsons have a very consensus view of society. They believe that the different organisations in society serve to ensure stability and continuity. Talcott Parsons main points on the family are the following:
             Ø The family is a universal form of social organisation
             Ø It's based on biological necessity
             Ø The process of industrialisation led to the development of the nuclear family type as that most functionally appropriate to the demands of a complex 'modern' society
             Ø The economy requires a mobile, fit, well-disciplined and full-time work force (instrumental needs)
             Ø Society as a whole requires that both adults and children expe
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