10 Markers: Theory Flashcards
Outline and explain two
different functionalist
beliefs on the family [10
marks]
Functional Fit Theory
1. Point: One functionalist belief is the Functional Fit Theory.
Explain: This belief says that the functions of the family impacts
its shape/structure and the two types of family structure are:
nuclear and extended families.
Evidence: Parsons (1955) - Pre-industrial society requires the
extended family, but modern industrial society requires the
nuclear family.
Analysis: The nuclear family is geographically mobile, as they
are easier to move than extended families and they are
socially mobile because they are structurally isolated from
extended kin which can lower tensions.
The Loss of Functions
2. Point: Functionalists believe the family has lost some of its
functions (also known as structural differentiation)
Explain: After the industrial revolution, the family is no longer a
unit of production - it has lost most of its functions to other
institutions like schools and the health service.
Evidence: Parsons believes that the nuclear family still fulfil
two essential functions: the primary socialisation of children
and the stability of adult personalities
Analysis: This allows the family to equip children with basic
skills and society’s values and the family becomes a place of
relaxation to release tensions from work.
Item A Capitalist society is based on a wealthy capitalist class exploiting the labour of a property- less working class in order to extract a profit. However, to obtain their profit, capitalists must see what has been produced and this requires people who are willing to buy it. For capitalism to continue, the proletariat must be persuaded to accept their exploitation. Capitalists also need to retain control of their wealth in order to maintain their privileged position. Applying material from Item A, analyse two functions that the familv may perform for capitalism [10 marks]
- The inheritance of private property
Point: One function that the family performs for capitalism is
the inheritance of private propertv.
Explain: Originally, society was founded on primitive
communism and this meant that the means of production was
owned by all members of society jointly. As society
developed, society’s wealth began to increase and men were
able to secure ‘control’ (Item A) of the means of production.
Evidence: Engels - Argues this change resulted in the surface
of the patriarchal, monogamous family because of the
inheritance of private property.
Analysis: This kind of structure meant that men had to be
certain they had paternity of their children to make sure the
wealth can be inherited. This allows the ruling class to retain
ownership and control of the means of production.
Evaluate: However, Marxists assume that the patriarchal
monogamous nuclear family is dominant in capitalist society.
But, they fail to see the wide variety of family structures found
in today’s society. - A unit of consumption
Point: Another function that the family performs for capitalism
is its role as a unit of consumption.
Explain & Analyse: The capitalists exploit the “labour of a
property-less working class in order to extract a profit’ (Item
A). Capitalists make a profit by paying workers low wages and
selling the products they make at higher prices. The family
play a major role in generating profits for capitalists through
the sales of consumer goods and this allows the ruling class to
maintain their control and ownership of the means of
production along with the exploitation of the working class
Evidence: Marxists argue that this is achieved in three ways.
Firstly, by advertising which urges families to consume the
latest products. Secondly, through ‘pester power’ of children,
the media targets children as they know they have power to
convince their parents to buy products. Thirdly, children who
lack the most up-to-date items are vulnerable to
stigmatisation.
Evaluate: However, functionalists argue that Marxists ignore
the very real benefits that the family provides for its members,
such as caring parents who teach their children the beneficial
beliefs and values of society.
Outline and explain two functions that functionalist sociologists see the family as performing [10 marks]
- Point: One function that the family performs is the
socialisation of the young.
Explain: The nuclear family carries out the primary socialisation
of children during the early years of their life
Evidence: Parsons outlines two essential functions that the
family carries out: the socialisation of children and the
stabilisation of adult personalities.
Analysis: For functionalists, primary socialisation is crucial to
ensure a value consensus. Children are equipped with basic
skills, norms, values and attitudes which allows them to co-
operate with others and integrate into society cohesively.
Furthermore, it keeps society harmonious and ensures society’s
culture is maintained. - Point: Another function that the family performs is providing
economic needs for its members.
Explain: The family provides its members with resources such
as food and shelter which is essential for survival.
Evidence: This is supported by Murdock, he suggests the
family carries out four core functions: satisfied sex drives,
reproduction, primary socialisation and economic benefits.
Analysis: Children require adult economic support and
protection for a long period of time. As a result, parents
partake in productive paid work to provide for their children,
not only does this benefit the family but it also benefits society
as a whole by boosting economic activity.
Item U Feminist approaches to the family tend to emphasise the harmful effects of family life upon women. They provide a healthy antidote to functionalist and New Right accounts, which stress the functional and beneficial side of family life, and downplay the way families may have negative consequences for the lives and opportunities of women. Applving material from Item U, analyse two feminist views of our understanding of the family [10 marks]
- Point: One feminist viewpoint of the family is the Radical
Feminist viewpoint.
Explain: Radical feminists see the family and marriage as
patriarchal institutions, and they examine “the harmful effects’
placed upon women (Item U) in relation to these institutions.
Evidence: Greer argues that the creation of all female or
‘matrilocal’ households can be an alternative to the
heterosexual family.
Analysis: This is because many radical feminists believe the
patriarchal system needs to be overturned, and this can be
achieved by the idea of separatism. Thus if women can live
independently, they avoid the main source of oppression and
exploitation from their unpaid domestic work and sexual
services. Similarly, the also avoid the possibility of domestic or
sexual abuse by living independently.
Evaluation: Although, this idea is limited. Somerville believes
that heterosexual attraction is inevitable and it makes the idea
of separatism hard to implement. - Another feminist viewpoint is the Marxist Feminist viewpoint.
Explain: Marxist feminists believe that capitalism has negative
consequences for the lives and opportunities of women’ (Item
U).
Evidence: Ansley argues that women absorb the anger of men
that would be directed at capitalism.
Analysis: Additionally, Marxist feminists believe that women
are a reserve of cheap labour that can be taken on when extra
workers are needed, and when no longer needed they can
return to their unpaid domestic labour. It is also believe that
women reproduce future labor forces by socialising the next
generations of workers and maintaining the current
generation. As a result, Marxist feminists argue the main cause
of women’s oppression within the family is the exploitation of
the working class. In order to solve the problem, they believe
the family must be abolished and replacing capitalism with a
socialist revolution along with a classless society.
Evaluation: However, it can be argued that women’s
oppression within families still exists in communist societies and
this ignores aspects of the family such as domestic abuse in
non-capitalist societies.
Item K According to the individualisation theses, greater individual choice has transformed family and intimate relationships. Unlike in the past, when individuals' lives were governed by tradition, todav both men and women are free to make their own choices about relationships, sexuality and so on, following their own self-interest. Class, gender and family structures no longer limit our choices. Applying material from Item K, analvse two criticisms of the individualisation thesis [10 marks]
The individualisation thesis implies that ‘class, gender and
family structures no longer limit our choices (Item K). The
connectedness thesis actively criticises this and believes that
class and gender still limit individuals’ choices. May believes
that the individualisation thesis ignores the fact that not
evervone has the same ability to exercise choice about
relationships. For example, divorces, payment terms and the
power dynamic between both genders limits the choices of
individuals. Firstly, divorce terms generally dictate that women
should have the custody of children. This means that women
are limited when it comes to forming new relationships,
whereas men are freer to start new relationships as they are
free from childcare. Additionally, men are generally better
paid than woman, and this gives them greater freedom and
choice in relationships. Furthermore, both women and children
are powerless in comparison to men, so this means that they
often lack freedom to choose and may remain trapped in
abusive relationships. However, this ignores how far women
have progressed, for example women have gained important
rights in voting, divorce, education and employment.
The individualisation thesis suggests that ‘today both men and
women are free to make their own choices about relationships,
sexuality and so on, following their own self-interest’ (Item K).
Specifically in terms of sexuality, Giddens argues that same-
sex relationships are relationships based on choice and are no
longer influenced by tradition. However, this is criticised by
Einasdottir, who argues that heteronormativity mean has meant
that many lesbians feel forced to remain “in the closet’. This
would suggest that the benefit of same-sex relationships no
longer exist. As a result, homosexuals may feel that their
availability of choice has been removed. As a consequence,
they may experience limited choices when it comes to
relationships and lifestyles. Even so, Weston believes that
same-sex couples can still exercise choices as they create
“families of choice’ among friends, former lovers and biological
kin.
