3 Theories of the Family Flashcards
The functionalist perspective
Functionalists see society based on value consensus- a shared set of norms and values.
This shared culture enables members of society to cooperate harmoniously to meet society’s needs and to achieve their common goals.
The functionalist perspective- organic analogy
Functionalists see society like a biological organism (like human body)
- > the body is a system made up of different parts (cells, organs etc) that function together to meet its needs and maintain it.
- > society is a system made up of different interdependent/ subsystems parts such as institutions like education, the economy, religion etc.
- > the function of any part is the contribution it makes to maintaining the social system as a whole
The functionalist perspective- organic analogy- the functions of the family
The functions of the family
The family plays a vital role in maintaining the social system as a whole,
as well as meeting the needs of other subsystems like the economy.
Functionalists take a positive view of the family (assuming it’s harmonious and ignore conflict and exploitation e.g. child abuse and women’s oppression)
The see family as performing beneficial functions both for wider society and individual members. However they disagree what these functions are…
The functionalist perspective- Murdoch
G.P Murdock 1949 argues the nuclear family performs essential functions for society and its members.
Four functions of the family:
1. Stable satisfaction of sex drive: with same marital partner. This prevents social disruption caused by sexual ‘free for all’
2. Reproduction of next generation: without which society would cease to exist
3. Socialisation of the young: into society’s norms and values, enabling new members to integrate into society
4. Satisfaction of members’ economic needs: e.g. providing food and shelter. In pre industrial societies, the family is a unit of production (working together), in modern societies its become a unit of consumption only.
Functionalist perspective: Murdock practicality and universality
By performing these functions
The nuclear family helps maintain social stability
For Murdock, the ‘sheer practicality’ of nuclear family as a way of meeting needs explains why it is universal- found in all human societies
X functionalist ignore family diversity snd assume nuclear family is the universal norm
Functionalist perspective- Parsons
Functional fit theory
Parsons 1955 argues the kinds and range of functions the family performs depend on the type of society in which it is found.
This also determines what kind of structure the family will have.
Parsons identifies 2 types of family structure:
1. Three generational extended family, found in pre industrial society
2. Two generational nuclear family, found in modern industrial society
Functionalist perspective: parsons functional fit theory
Extended family
The extended family was multi functional
It was both a unit of production and consumption
E.g. All members worked the land together, and it often performed welfare, military, religious or other functions
Functionalist perspective: parsons functional fit theory
Nuclear family
Fits the two key needs of modern industrial society:
1. Geographical mobility- industries constantly spring up and decline in different places. It is easier for compact two generational nuclear family to move where jobs are
2. Social mobility- as status in industrial society achieved not ascribed, adult sons can now achieve higher status than fathers.
Breaking away to set up own nuclear family unit removes the status conflict that would result if stayed.
Functionalist perspective: parsons functional fit theory
Two irreducible functions
The nuclear family is now left with two essential functions:
1: primary socialisation: of young, equipping the next generation with basic skills and societies values
2: stabilisation of adult personalities: enabling adults to relax and release tensions so they can return to workplace and perform roles efficiently
The new right perspective
Political rather than sociological
Led influence on government policies in Britain and elsewhere
It is a conservative view of family based on following assumptions:
-> a biologically based division of labour. Male breadwinner and female homemaker- natural and biologically determined.
Similarly they believe nuclear family with segregated conjugal roles as best place to socialise children
-> Families should be self reliant-reliance on welfare state leads to dependency culture, undermining traditional gender roles and producing family breakdown- lone parent families. Lack of male role model for boys results in social problems and delinquency.
The marxist perspective
Marxism is a conflict view
It sees modern capitalist society divided into two classes:
- Capitalist class (bourgeoisie) who own means of production (factories land)
- Working class (proletariat) only own their labour. Forced to sell to capitalists in return for wages.
This enables capitalist employer to exploit WC to produce profit.
The marxists perspective
The functions of family- see all institutions in capitalist society contributing to maintenance of exploitation. Family is oppressive institution that performs several functions for capitalism:
PIC
Passing on wealth- Engels 1884 argues as private property became more important, men who controlled it needed to ensure they could pass it down to sons= monogamous marriage. But it also meant woman becoming private property of husband- controlling her sexuality to ensure the son was his.
Ideological functions- Zaretsky 1976 argues there’s a cult of private life- belief we can only gain fulfilment from family life- distracts attention from exploitation.
Unit of consumption- capitalism needs consumers to buy its products. The family is an important market for consumer goods and therefore enables capitalists to make profits.
Feminist perspective
A conflict view that sees family oppressing women
Liberal feminists
Liberal feminists- argue gender inequality is gradually being overcome through legal reforms and policy changes (like equal pay), challenging stereotypes and changing people’s attitudes and socialisation. This is the ‘march of progress view’. e.g. the ‘new man’ becoming more widespread.
Feminists perspective
Marxist
Marxist feminists argue capitalism is the main cause of women’s oppression in family and performs several functions for capitalism:
Reproducing labour force- women socialise the next generation of workers and service the current one for free
Absorbing men’s anger- would otherwise be directed at capitalism. Wives soak husbands frustration that comes from exploited work.
Reserve army of cheap labour- when not needed women workers return to their domestic role.
Marx feminists argue women oppression linked to exploitation of Wc, do family must be abolished with capitalism
Feminist approaches
Radical feminists
Argue patriarchy id main cause of women’s oppression
Family and marriage are key patriarchal institutions
- men benefit from women’s unpaid domestic labour and sexual services
- men dominate women through violence or threat of it
For radical feminists, patriarchal system must be overturned and family abolished.
Some believe in political lesbianism and complete separatism from men
