F+H Theories of the family

Question 1

murdock

Answer 1

nuclear family performs 4 essential functions:
- stabilisation of the sex drive
- reproduction of the next generation
- meeting members economic needs
- socialisation of the young

Question 2

Critiques of murdock

Answer 2

Some sociologists would argue that these functions could be performed equally by other institutions or by non-nuclear families.

Feminists see the family as serving the needs of men and oppressing women

Marxists argue that it meets capitalism’s needs, not the family members or society

Question 3

Describe the loss of functions the family had according to parsons, after industrialisation.

Answer 3

Pre-industrial family was a multifunctional unit, in which families worked together, for example feeding and clothing its members. It provides for its members health and welfare and meets most individual and social needs.

However, parsons argues that when society industrializes, the family changes its structure from extended to nuclear but also loses many of its functions.

For example:

Family ceases to be a unit of production: work moves into factories and loses other functions to other institutions such as school

As a result of this loss of functions the nuclear family specialize in:

Primary socialisation of children to equip them with basic needs and societal values

The stabilization of adult personalities: the family is a place where adults can relax and release tensions enabling them to return to the workplace.

Question 4

what functions do marxist feminists argue that womens oppression performs for capitalism.

Answer 4

Women reproduce the labour force through their unpaid domestic labour

Women absorb anger that would otherwise be directed at capitalism

Women are a reserve army of cheap labour- can be taken on when extra workers are needed

Question 5

what do radical feminists argue?

Answer 5

Argues that the patriarchal system needs to be overturned, and the family abolished. The only way to achieve this is through separatism (women must organize themselves to live independently of men).

Many radical feminists argue for political lesbianism and heterosexual relationships are “sleeping with the enemy,”

Question 6

how does somerville critique radical feminists?

Answer 6

Somerville argues that heterosexual attraction makes it unlikely that separatism would work.