4.3 theories of the family Flashcards
6 perspectives on the family
- marxism
- functionalism
- feminism
- personal life perspective
- the new right
- post-modernism
the functionalist perspective on the family
what 4 essential functions does murdock argue that the family performs to meet the needs if society and it’s members?
- stable satisfication of the sex drive- with the same partner, prevents social disruption caused by a ‘free for all’
- reproduction of the next generation- without which society wouldnt continue
- socialisation of the young
- meeting it’s members economic needs-e.g. food and shelter
the functionalist perspective on the family
criticism of murdock: these functions the family perform can by perfromed…
equally as well by other institutions or by non-nuclear family structures
the functionalist perspective on the family
how do feminists criticise murdock?
- see the family as serving the needs of men and opressing women
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the functionalist perspective on the family
how do marxists criticise murdock?
- see families as serving the needs of capitalism not family members or society
the functionalist perspective on the family
what is parsons’ “functional fit” theory?
the idea that family structures change along with society of that time
the functionalist perspective on the family
what is the difference between the nuclear family and the extended family?
- nuclear- just parents and their dependant children
- extended- three generations living under 1 roof
the functionalist perspective on the family
what 2 basic types of society does Parson identify?
- modern industrial society
- pre-industrial society
the functionalist perspective on the family
which type of family does parsons think suits which type of society?
- nuclear- industrial
- extended- pre industrial
the functionalist perspective on the family
what 2 essentials needs does parsons believe that industrial society has?
- a geographically mobile workforce
- a socially mobile workforce
the functionalist perspective on the family
in what way is the modern nuclear family a more geographically mobile workforce?
- it is easier for a compact 2 generation family to move than for the three generation extended family
the functionalist perspective on the family
how is the modern nuclear family a socially mobile workforce?
- in the original extended family, if a son overtook his father in work, it would cause household tensions
- instead, the son can do so whilst living in his own family
the functionalist perspective on the family
the family is no longer a unit of …. but now only ….
- production
- consumption
the functionalist perspective on the family
what functions does the nuclear family perform nowadays?
- the primary socialisation of children
- the stabalisation of adult personalities (the family is a place where adults can relax and release tensions, returning to the workplace to fulfill their roles there).
the functionalist perspective on the family
evidence against parsons: was the extended family dominant in pre-industrial society?
- young and willmott found that the pre-industrial family was nuclear, not extended
- with parents and children working together
the functionalist perspective on the family
evidence against parsons: is the extended family no longer needed in modern society?
- continues to exist and perfom important functions: with finacial help, childcare and emotional support
the functionalist perspective on the family
evidence against parsons: what other functions does the family perform today?
- supports economic growth
- emotional support
the marxist perspective on the family
what 3 functions of the family do marxists believe support capitalism?
- inheritance of property
- ideological functions
- a unit of consumption
the marxist perspective on the family
how does the inheritace of property fulfill capitalism?
- inheritance of pprivate property has made monogamy essential so that fathers would be sure they had a son to inherit their property
- this serves capitalism as it turns women into a mere instrument for production, defeating the female sex
the marxist perspective on the family
why is engels view not applicable today?
he lived from 1820-1895
the marxist perspective on the family
how do ideological functions fulfill capitalism?
- socialises children into the idea that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable (e.g. through dad always being in control) and that someone is always in charge:prepares them for life as workers
- zaretsky sees the family as a haven, where the workers can “be themselves” from outside forces of capitalism
the marxist perspective on the family
how does the family as a unit of consumption fulfill capitalism?
- capitalism exploits its workers-the family plays a major part in this as it is an important market for the sale of consumer goods:
- e.g.food and clothing
- advertisers urge families to buby the latest products e.g. airfryers
- media target children who use “pester power”
- children who lack latest items are mocked and stigmatised by peers
the marxist perspective on the family
criticisms of the marxist view
- marxist assume the nuclear family is dominant- ignores the variation in society
- feminists argue that the marxist explanation pushes social class and capitalism and ignores ender differences
- functionalists argue that marxists ignore the benefits that the family provides for one another
feminist perspective on the family
what 4 feminist perspectives is there
- liberal
- marxist
- radical
- difference
feminist perspective on the family
key points of liberal feminism
- womens opression becoming overcome through changes such as sex discrimination act 1975
- believe we are moving towards gender equality but further reforms and changes in attitudes and socialisation patterns are needed
feminist perspective on the family
what do other feminists criticise liberal feminists for?
- not doing enough- believe that changes in the law will not be enough
feminist perspective on the family
key points of marxist feminism
- womens opression in family is due to capitalism not men
- women reproduce the labour force through unpaid domestic labour, by socialising the next generation to do the same
- women absorb anger that would otherwise be directed at capitalism
- women are a reserve army of cheap labour
feminist perspective on the family
criticism of the marxist feminist perspective on the family
- victim blames women and ignores that men are the perpurtartors: by saying that women reproduce labour force through unpaid labour and socialisting the next generation
feminist perspective on the family
radical feminist perspective on the family key points
- all of society has been founded on patriarchy
- men are the enemy- the source of womens exploitation and opression
- marriage and family are institutions that support the patriarchy
- political lesbianism
feminist perspective on the family
what is political lesbianism?
the idea that hetrosexual relationships are inherantly sexist as they involve “sleeping with the enemy”
the personal life perspective on families
the the personal life perspective on families argues that the other perspectives have two weaknesses:
- they assume nuclear is the dominant family type
- they are all structural (assume family and the members are manipulated passively by society)
the personal life perspective on families
personal life perspective says we miust understand…
the meanings we give to our relationships
the personal life perspective on families
who might the the personal life perspective define as family?
- friends
- fictive kin
- gay and lesbian chosen family
- relationships with dead family
- pets
the personal life perspective on families
who researches donor conceived children?
nordqvist and smart
the personal life perspective on families
nordqvist and smart found many parents emphasised what?
- the importance of social relationships over genetic ones
the personal life perspective on families
erin example
- she is the mother of a donor concieved child, believes that putting time and effort into being a mother makes a mother not the cell that starts it off
the personal life perspective on families
what leads to problems in donor concieved families?
- difficult feelings could flare up if somebody remarked that the child looked like them
- difference in appearence may lead the family to wonder about the donors identity, and if “donor siblings” counted as family
- if the parents knew the donor, may be difficulties
the personal life perspective on families
what questions do donor families have to resolve?
- do the donor’s parents count as grandparents?
- does the child have half siblings?
- in lesbian couples- might the donor be seen as a “real” second parent?
the personal life perspective on families
evaluation: advantage of nordqvist and smart’s study
- shows benefit of “bottom up” approach as it helps us to see how people construct family
- traditional perspectives don’t do this
