F&H - Topic 3 - Theories of the family

Question 1

Feminist criticism of murdocks’ functions

Answer 1

See the family as serving the needs of men and oppressing women

Question 2

Marists criticism of murdock

Answer 2

Argue that it meets the needs of capitalism, not those of family members or society as a whole

Question 3

Parsons two types of family structure

Answer 3

• Nuclear family: parents and their dependent children

- Extended family: of 3 generations living under one roof.

Question 4

Young and Willmott on extended families in the pre-industrial society.

Answer 4

The pre-industrial family was nuclear, not extended as Parsons states, with parents and children working together, eg in weaving.

Question 5

Parson’s two essential functions

Answer 5

• primary socialisation of children (equip them with basic skills and society’s values.
• stabilisation of adult personalities (eg relax to be able to return to work)

Question 6

Marxists see capitalist society as based on unequal conflict between two social classes:

Answer 6

• The capitalist class - who own the means of production

- The working class - whose labour the capitalists exploit for profit

Question 7

What do Marxists mean by ideology

Answer 7

A set of ideas or beliefs that justify inequality and maintain the capitalist system by persuading people to accept it as fair, natural or unchangeable.

Question 8

What way does the family reinforce key ideological functions for capitalism

Answer 8

By socialising children into the idea that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable, eg a man in charge at home

Question 9

Feminist criticism of marxism.

Answer 9

The marxist emphasis on class ad capitalism underestimates the importance of gender inequalities within the family. These are more fundamental than class inequalities to feminists.

Question 10

Functionalist criticism of marxism

Answer 10

They argue that Marxists ignore the very real benefits that the family provides for its members.