Families and Households Flashcards
Name 2 Functionalist sociologists and their views on the family.
Murdock (1949) - the family has four main functions that the nuclear family exists in all societies to carry out;
Expressing approved sexuality
Providing stability for reproduction
The primary socialization of children
Economic support (food, shelter)
Parsons (1951) - the families functions are to socialize children into society’s basic norms and values, or cease to exist, and the stabilization of human personalities via the sexual division of labour.
What are Parsons reasons for the decline in extended family life?
Need for a small family unit for geographical mobility.
Strengthened bonds between partners to protect family stability
Need to avoid economic and status conflict between extended kin
Greater affluence and reduced family functions - less need for kin
A more meritocratic society - what you know not who you know. Kin support less useful or necessary.
What are the criticisms of the Functionalist perspective?
Downplaying conflict - the “darker side” of family life such as emotional conflict between parents and children being used as scapegoats.
Old fashioned - sexual division of labour is no longer relevant as women are more careers focused.
Ignoring exploitation of women - responsibility for housework undermines the woman’s role in paid employment through restricted working hours.
Ignoring harmful effects on the family - Leach (1967) argues the family is an inward-looking institution leading to emotional stress.
Name 2 New Right sociologists and their views on the family.
Murray and Marsland (1989) argue the welfare state has undermined the importance of family support, encouraging single women to have children they could not otherwise afford, knowing they can get help from state benefits. They see the decline of the traditional family as contributing to the emergence of a work-shy underclass.
What are the criticisms of the New Right perspective?
Similar to those of the Functionalist perspective - old fashioned, misogynistic viewpoints.
Name 2 Marxist Sociologists and their views on the family.
Engels (1820-95) - believed that the monogamous nuclear family developed as a means of passing on property to heirs. The woman provided sex and heirs in return for the economic security her husband offered. Aluthusser (1971) - argued that in order for Capitalism to survive, the working class must submit to the ruling class, the family being an ISA.
What is an ISA (Ideological State Apparatus)?
Agencies which serve to spread the ideology and justify the power of the dominant social class.
What are the criticisms of the Marxist perspective?
Old fashioned.
The idea that men get married to have children to pass on property ignores other reasons for marriage or forming families.
Women are now more career focused, and less likely to marry for economic security.
A 2003 report from the Institute of Education found people are now more likely to marry for love and affection rather than social obligation.
What is Liberal Feminism?
Recognizes that women’s position in the family can have adverse effects on their power, careers and health. They believe the best way to improve the position of women in the family and society is through reform measures to establish equality.
What is Radical Feminism?
Focus on the problem of patriarchy in society and in the family as the main obstacle to women’s equality. Radical Feminists see the family as a patriarchal institution which benefits men at the expense of women.
What is confluent love?
Theory by Giddens arguing that individuals are now looking to create meaningful relationships that are based on love and respect, challenging the traditional assumption about why and how relationships should be maintained.
What is secularization?
Dissociation or separation from religious or spiritual concerns.
Why do feminists criticize Young and Willmott’s (1973) idea of the symmetrical family?
They emphasize it is still mainly women who:
- Perform most housework and childcare tasks.
- Make sacrifices to buy the children clothes, and to make sure other family members are properly fed.
- Are less likely to make the most important decisions in the family.
- Are more likely to give up paid work, or suffer from restricted job opportunities, as they are expected to look after children, the old, the sick, and male partners.
What is the triple shift?
Performing the triple shift entails of being a mother (emotional), housewife (domestic) and also working a paid job.
What is Marxist Feminism?
Emphasizes the way in which women are doubly exploited - both as workers in an unequal, exploitative capitalist society, and as women.
