Final answer:
Criticism of Parson's argument regarding the nuclear family focuses on the social exclusion of elders, changes in social support structures, the economic burden of children, and the evolution of what constitutes a family. The nuclear family model is seen as inadequate in addressing the diverse needs and structures of modern societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Criticisms of Parson's argument about the suitability of the nuclear family structure transitioning from pre-industrial to industrialized society center on several key points. One criticism is the diminished status and social exclusion of elders in modernizing societies due to the reduced economic value associated with their reduced capacity to work outside the home. The extended family in a preindustrial economy provided the elderly with defined roles, which are absent as societies modernize and increasingly prioritize the nuclear family comprised of parents and children. This change leads to increased individualism, making the care of the elderly a discretionary duty rather than a social expectation, resulting in potential neglect.
Industrialization changed social structures, particularly in terms of gender roles. The shift to cities as part of urban migration created isolated nuclear family units without the support networks of friends, neighbors, and extended family that were common in village life. This shift resulted in feelings of isolation and less support among migrant families. Moreover, changes in work also affected family size. Middle-class families reduced the number of children in response to the economic burden children represented.
Changing patterns in marriage and the definition of family in the United States are evident with the rise of various forms of nontraditional family structures, such as single parenthood, same-sex parents, and cohabitation. These changes challenge the traditional American nuclear family model, leading to the recognition that there is no single model for what constitutes a family. Therefore, the ideal of the nuclear family as the best fit for industrialized societies faces scrutiny, as real-world dynamics demonstrate that other formations can provide viable and supportive family structures.