CHAPTER 1 Flashcards
the relationship of the family to social structure and change
4 things does Murdock argue family provides essential functions for society?
- sexual
- reproductive
- education
- economic
what is an evaluation of Murdocks 4 theory?
for idealising then nuclear family and overlooking family diversity.
what 2 functions does Parsons argue the family has?
- primary socialisation
- stabilisation of adult personalities.
what is primary socialisation?
teaching children society’s values and norms.
what is stabilisation of adult personalities?
the family serves as a refuge for adults, providing support.
evaluation of parsons 2 theory?
overly simplistic and ignores diversity.
what is the perspective that Charles Murray has called?
the new right perspective.
what does he argue?
that govt policies eg. welfare benefits have undermined the nuclear family.
what has welfare dependency led to a rise in?
lone-parent families.
evaluation of Murrays view?
he is blaming the poor for societal problems.
what does Ann Oakley (feminist) argue the nuclear family is a site for?
a site for patriarchal oppression, where women are socialised into submissive roles.
what three ways does Zaretsky argue that the family serves interests of capitalism?
- reproducing the labour force
- consuming capital goods
- providing emotional support
evaluation of Zaretsky’s theory?
Zaretsky’s theory is ccriticised for focusing too much on the economic role.
what does the marxist perspective see the family as?
as serving the interest of capitalism.
2 ways in which the family serve capitalism?
- socialising children into accepting their future roles as workers.
- consuming products that fuel the economy.
evaluation of marxist perspective?
too focused on economic factors.
what does the functionalist perspective see the family as?
a positive institution that contributes to the stability of society.
2 ways the family contributes to the stability of society?
- socialisation
- emotional support
evaluation of functionalist perspective?
tend to overlook family diversity and gender roles.
what does the feminist perspective see the family as?
a key site of gender inequality.
what do radical (extreme) feminists argue that the family structure contributes to..?
domestic violence.
what 2 ways are there gender inequalities in the family?
- dual burden
- unpaid labour - household chores
evaluation of feminist perspective?
that they may overlook the positive aspects.
what does the new right see as the cornerstone of society?
the nuclear family.
what does Murray argue that government policies have done?
govt policies eg. welfare benefits have encouraged dependency and lone-parent families.
evaluation of new right perspective?
for blaming social problems on family diversity.
what does the postmodernist perspective see the family as?
that people are characterised by diversity and choice - no longer one dominant structure.
evaluation of the postmodernist perspective?
critiqued for overemphasising individual choice.
what is the divorce act called?
the divorce reform act 1969.
what did the divorce act do?
easier to divorce by introducing irretrievable breakdown.
what is irretrievable breakdown?
unwilling to cohabit and no prospects for reconciliation.
what was the impact of the divorce act?
challenge to nuclear family + positive impact for freedom.
what is the same sex act called?
same sex couples act 2013.
what was the impact of the same sex act?
increased diversity of family structures.
what impact have adoption and childcare policies had?
growing support for diversity and changing role of women in workforce.
what impact have the education and welfare policies had?
growing role of the state in supporting families.
why have the education and welfare policies been criticised?
creating dependency.
what impact have retirement and housing policies had?
can either help or make worse financial pressures.
what have economic changes led to an increase in?
female employment and changes in gender roles.
