Families Flashcards
Parsons: Perspective and key findings?
Functionalist
Two key functions of the family:
1. Primary socialisation - children are taught the shared norms and values of society
2. Stabilisation of adult personality - Warm bath theory - family relieves stress of life like a warm bath
Zaretsky: Perspective and key findings?
Marxist
The family serves capitalism through:
1. Women’s unpaid labour
2. Passing on of advantage in families e.g. inheritance
3. Unit of consumption
Delphy and Leonard: Perspective and key findings?
Radical Feminist
Family is patriarchal because:
1. Women are exploited economically - labour is used by their husbands
2. Family is hierarchical - men at the top
3. Patriarchal family reflects patriarchal society
Oakley: Perspective and key findings?
Feminist
Analyses the ‘conventional family’ finding:
1. Women are expected to do unpaid work
2. Idea of the conventional family is powerful
3. People expect happiness, but nuclear family can be stressful
4. Middle class - more family diversity
Rapoport and Rapoport: Key findings?
Pioneers in researching family diversity. 5 types:
1. Organisational - structure of families
2. Cultural - cultural/ religious differences
3. Social class - class differences
4. Cohort - historical differences
5. Life course - differences in life cycle of the family
Willmott and Young: Perspective and key findings?
Functionalist
Found that the family was becoming more symmetrical - similar but not identical roles, equal contribution to household work, and shared decision making and friends. Home-centred.
Principle of stratified diffusion: changes in family life start with higher social classes and trickle down
What is a Nuclear family?
Two generational families containing a heterosexual married or cohabiting couple and their dependent children
What is an extended family?
Group of relatives extending beyond the nuclear family but have regular contact
What is a Reconstituted family?
A blended or stepfamily in which one or both partners have a child/ren from previous relationships living with them
Define Social Stigma
Disapproval of a person based on perceived characteristics
Define Patriarchy
Male dominance over women
What is a Household?
A group pf people who love together but are not in any form of relationships
What is Double shift?
When a woman takes on a career and the housework. This then can lead to the triple shift, which also involves emotional support
What is primary socialisation?
The family - Parents teach the children the social norms and values of society
Define Monogamy
Being married to just one person. This can be serial monogamy, which is when you may divorce and then get remarried.
What is a Cohabiting couple?
A couple that lives together but is not married.
What is a dysfunctional family?
A family that undergoes Conflict, emotional distress and potential abuse.
(This is used to criticise the functionalist perspective as it ignores dysfunctional families in its findings).
Define ‘Empty nest’
When the children have moved out and no longer live with their parents.
Define Canalisation
The way a parent channels their children’s interest into toys/ games and other activities.
What is the Principle of stratified diffusion?
When the social changes start at the top of the social class system and work down (Young and Willmott, 1973).
What is the instrumental role?
The breadwinner role (Men take on this role - Parsons, 1959).
What is the Expressive role?
The emotional, supportive role (Women take on this role as a housewife and Mother (Parsons, 1959).
What are Joint Conjugal roles?
No rigid division of household tasks. Shared leisure activities.
What are Segregated conjugal roles?
Division in domestic labour due to gender. Separate leisure activities.
