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Sociology > Families & Households > Flashcards

Families & Households Flashcards

1
Q

George Murdock (1949)

A

“the fam = a social group chara by common residence, Econ coop, & reproduction”
includes adults of both sexes at least 2 of who maintain a socially approved rela & 1/m children own / adopted of the sexually cohabiting adults

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2
Q

Stable Satisfaction of Sex Drive

Functions of the Family

A

w/ same partner preventing the soc disruption caused by sexual ‘free for all’

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3
Q

Reproduction of Next Generation

Functions of the Family

A

w/o soc wouldn’t continue

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4
Q

Meeting it’s Members’ Economic Needs

Functions of the Family

A

food & shelter

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5
Q

Socialisation of the Young

Functions of the Family

A

into soc’s shared norms & values

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6
Q

Evidence Supporting Murdock

A

studied 250 socs of dif cultures = good breadth - saw in each of these socs nuclear fams existed - saw them providing the 4 funcs

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7
Q

Evidence against Murdock

A

some argue funcs could be performed equally well through other instis / non-nuclear fam - M accepts but argues practicality of nuclear fam as a way of meeting needs explains why = universal
M’s & Fems have rejected ‘rose tinted’ harmonious consensus view that fam meets needs of wider soc & all dif mems of fam - argues func neglects conflict & exploitation - fems see fam as serving male needs & oppressing women - M’s argue meets cap needs not fam / soc as whole

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8
Q

Functional Fit Theory

Parsons

A

argued funcs like fam performs depend on social construction it exists in - will fit the needs of soc it is found in - other funcs = welfare, politics, religion
funcs it performs affects its shape / structure - fams can = nuclear / extended fam can exist = 3 gens

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9
Q

Primary Socialisation

A

sim to Mur’s edu role Parsons agreed fams taught children soc norms & values - specifically ns & vs of fam / commun - other institutions schools etc taught universal norms of wider soc

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10
Q

Stabalisation of Adult Personalities

A

helped prevent dsyfunc adult behav - encourage conform to soc norms - provide emotional sup
warm bath theory - when man comes home from tough day at work can relax into fam like warm bath & would take away stress & refrech for next day - husband has instrumental role focus = achieving success at work - financial support = bread winner - wife = expressive role - focus PS of children and meeting emo needs = home maker

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11
Q

Types of Society

A

modern Indust - nuclear fits needs = dom fam type
trad pre indust = extended fam

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12
Q

Parsons & Types of Society

A

said post-indust soc had 2 essen needs = geo mobile workforce - ppl need to move to where jobs are = easier for compact nuc fam to move & socially mobile workforce - mod industrial based on constantly evolving sci & tech so requires tech skilled work force = essen talented ppl = able to win promo & take NB jobs - fam hierarchy w/in Hholds can make soc mobility dif so nuc = better

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13
Q

Loss of Function

A

pre-indust fam = multi func unit = prod & comsump = m self suf than mod - met most indu & soc needs - Parsons said when soc indust fam changes struc to nuclear & loses func - no longer prod unit work moves to facs = consump unit loses m other funcs - means nuc fam specialises in essential funcs of PS & SofAPs

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14
Q

Evidence Supporting Parsons

A

comp to Murdock does take account for changes over time

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15
Q

Laslett (1972)

Evidence Against Parsons

A

study of Eng fams 1564 - 1821 =-257 almost always nuc - combo of late child bearing and short life expectancy meant GPs died shortly after birth of 1st Gchild

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16
Q

Micheal Anderson (1980)

Evidence Against Parsons

A

explained pop of WC extended fam via exchange theeory- shows harsh conditions pov, sickness, early death meant benefits out weighed costs - elders could care for children & orphaned relatives = extra income for rent

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17
Q

General Evaluation of Parsons

A

= deterministic - no free will says we act how soc says
out of date - womens rights have changed no longer expressive role which exploits & oppresses
ignores changing marriage norms inc divorce rates & diversity
overly positive - assumes fam = haven of pos no neg impact of fam on soc eg abuse / dom violence
assumes value consensus - m access to info = m diversity

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18
Q

Marxist Perspective on Family

A

Nuclear family is a tool of capitalism
Main func is to maintain cap & reinforce inequalities- func also lies w/ other institutions eg edu

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19
Q

Inheritance of Wealth

A

After indust rev wealth began to inc through cap & w/ this came the development of priv prop
Engel claimed this change in owning property brought about the monogamous nuc fam - monog = necessary to ensure men w/ wealth passed property onto biological children
Keeps wealth in hands of Bour & maintains their Soc power enabling them to continue leading & exploiting WC

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20
Q

Reproduction - Marxist Feminism

A

Cap exploits women - Engel claimed this era brought women’s sexuality under male control & turned her into a prod of children
Housewives provide free care which keeps w’s productive but also keeps women oppressed & powerless
Created future w force to serve cap & enabled the wealth to stay w/ bour through inheritance

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21
Q

Socialisation - M

A

Althusser argues family performs key ideological funcs for cap promotes views that naturalise & legitimise existence of Soc classes presenting them as fair & unchangeable - commun to children by parents through socialisation into social hierarchy - leads to false class consciousness where ppl misperceive pos in soc = unable to recog inequal oppression & exploitation - prevents Rev

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22
Q

David Cooper

Marxism

A

Supported socialisation - sees fam as ‘ideological conditioning device’ - children learn to conform to auth so coop & are easily exploited

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23
Q

Cushioning Effects

A

Zaretsky (1976) another ideological func fams perform is offering haven from exploitation
At home can be selves & have private life - sim to warm bath theory
Argues warm bath is illusion haven only serves to maintain cap by soothing the exploitation of WC by bour to prevent soc rev

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24
Q

Unit of Consumption

Marxism

A

Zaretsky (1976) owners of prod exploit w’s labour for profit
Fam plays Maj role in gen profit by purchasing consumer goods on market
Adverts urge fams to keep up w/ the joneses - all latest consumer prods - target children = m susceptible to persuasion - those that don’t have the latest products = mocked / stigmatised- maintains cap by inc profs of bour who own consumer market

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25
Q

Strengths of Marxist Approach

A

Social construction - highlights econ influs on family life & raises the possibility that the family as an institution benefits some Soc groups - upper classes - m than others fits needs of cap
Shows dark side of fams - provided starting point for M - Fems describes econ exploitation of women w/in the fam & personal relas - also provided useful analysis of how broad structural changes in Soc might have influ fam life

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26
Q

Family Diversity

Criticism of Marxist Approach

A

Only acknowledge nuclear fams as funcs of cap - wide variety of family strucs found today = ignored

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27
Q

Overly negative

Criticism of Marxist Approach

A

Funcs argue M’s ignore benefits that the fam provides for its mems & for Soc such as emotional support & comfort = overly negative to state fams exist for cap is not a very positive romantic take on marriage - fams = m than inheritance security = overly simplistic

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28
Q

Feminism

Criticism of Marxist Approach

A

Whilst M-F elab on M to acknowledge how nuclear fam structure serves cap oppresses women
Fems crit M for neglecting the exploitation of women - argue the emphasis on class & cap - underestimates the Nbance of gender inequals in the fam - this = m NB than class inequals - fam serves men primarily X cap

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29
Q

Outdated

Criticism of Marxist Approach

A

assumes the only w in fam = male - changes to women’s rights means = outdated view - now both parents work
outdated about work exploitation = strict laws to protect rights & TUs so family not needed as a haven

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30
Q

New Right

A

conservice anti-fem view - nuc fam = best w/ clear cut roles between homemaker wife & bread winner husband
nuc fam = cereal packet fam = bedrock of soc acting as an independent unit - doesn’t seek state welfare
= best pos to = self reliant & capable of caring for mems esp successful soc of children
= place of refuge contentment & harmony

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31
Q

Family Diversity Causes Problems

A

oppose fam div & mod changes - argue this esp growth of lone parent fams cause soc probs
1. lone mums can’t discipline children properly
2. lone parent fams leave boys w/o male role model - edu failure, delinq & soc instability
3. such fams likely to = poorer so burden on tax payer & welfare

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32
Q

Dependency Culture

Charles Murray 1988

A

argued gov welfare policies particularly state funding & soc attitudes have combo to undermine nuc fam
= over gen benefits to single mums - allows fathers to opt out of respon for raising & providing for fam
depen cul - underclass lives off benefits - no aspiration to work - teen pregnancy fav - get benefits
suggested Murdock’s econ func done by gov for LC by gov so dont have to have a working parent - no incentive to work on relas & keep fam together - encours larger fams which are less likely to be self suf

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33
Q

Deviant Sons

Charles Murray 1988

A

argues m young men chose not to work - may turn to crime & drugs - grew up w/o male role model / wage earner
lack of male role models in mainstream soc - w/in female headed underclass fam dependent on state benefits the disciplines & respons of normal soc breakdown - negatively impacts econ growth

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34
Q

Harry Benson (2017)

Supporting New Right

A

link between broken homes & teenage mental health = well estab
boys m likely to have behav probs & girls emo probs
1/8 teenagers report poor mental health & poor home life is commonly cited as the reason

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35
Q

Harry Benson (2006)

Supporting New Right

A

analysed data on over 15,000 babies - found rate of fam breakdown in 1st 3 yrs of birth = 20% cohab / 6% married
argued couples = m stable if married - requires deliberation commitment - only way to prevent social disintergration & damage to children is to return to trad values of marriage - gov should sup marriage in policies
eg denying council housing to unmarried mums & taxes fav nuc fam

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36
Q

Dennis & Erdos (1992)

Supporting New Right

A

children esp sons in single p Hholds w/ absent dads have:
poorer health, lower levels of edu achievement, worse life choices, higher levels of unemployment & crime - attribute to lack of male role model & primary socialisation

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37
Q

Problems w/ Dennis & Erdos (1992)

A

= correlational research - directional issues
shape to data the way they want
other reasons - bad friend choice / poorer background

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38
Q

Statistics

Supporting New Right

A

single parent fams 2x m likely to experience pov
kids from broken homes = 9x m likely to = young offens
family breakdown costs UK £40 billion a year

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39
Q

The Marriage Foundation (2019)

A

60% of single parents recieve welfare benefits = 10% married parents
51% of sep fams = previously unmarried = unstable

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40
Q

Strengths of the New Right

A

like func acknowledge the fam is beneficial to soc
offers solu in changes to soc pol for breakdown of fam & impact on soc

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41
Q

Sexist Views

Criticisms of the New Right

A

fems argue holds sexist views of women - views = attempt to justify returning to num fam structure that oppresses & exploits women

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42
Q

Ann Oakley (1997)

Criticisms of the New Right

A

wrongly assumes nuclear fam = natural X soc construction
AO argued gender roles are not bio & cross cul studies reveal GRs differ cross cul

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43
Q

Lack of Evidence

Criticisms of the New Right

A

makes moralistic value judgements that the nuclear fam = better than single p = little / no evidence that lone p fams = part of the dependency cul that raises delinquents

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44
Q

Victim Blaming

Criticisms of the New Right

A

blames the poor for their poverty rather than seeking explans for why ppl find they need gov sup

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45
Q

Marxist Criticisms

Criticisms of the New Right

A

would argue = pol pos not socio explan used as ideo justification for cap = convenient case for cutting public spending on welfare to benefit the rich

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46
Q

Abbot & Wallace (1992)

Criticisms of the New Right

A

cutting benefits would only cause greater poverty for poor fams & make them less self reliant

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47
Q

Feminist Perspective of the Family

A

family = soc insitu = tool of female oppres & nuc fam serves male needs X women = unequal labour division & dom violence
soc young into gender roles = unequal

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48
Q

Dual Burden

A

Ann Oakley concl women have dual burden = emo support & dom labour

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49
Q

Triple Shift

A

Duncombe & Marsden - emo work added to paid work & unpaid dom labour

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50
Q

Malestream Sociology

A

refers to the way socios will apply reasearch data col about men to lives of women despite dif expers

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51
Q

Liberal Feminist Approach

A

camp against sex discrim - want legal equal rights & oppurs - solu to ending the patri
eg Sex Discrimination Act & Equal Pay Act

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52
Q

Liberal Feminist:

A

women’s oppression being grad overcome - changing attitudes & laws - many equal barriers = removed - not prisoners of feminine mystic - set of constraining attitudes - only housewife & mother
are moving towards greater equal - depends of future reform

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53
Q

Liberal Feminist View of Family

A

‘march of progress view’ - Willmott & Young (1973)

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54
Q

Early Industrial Society

Willmott & Young (1973)

A

nuc fams - men move to towna for work - women in dom roles
segregated gender roles - causes oppress of women

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55
Q

Modern Industrial Society

Willmott & Young (1973)

A

symmetrical fam - by 1973 nuc fams = less segregation - both sexes work & contrib chores, share joint conjugal roles - men spend m time at home - m united

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56
Q

Jennifer Sommerville (2000)

A

4 main areas of change: changes in gov pol (women’s rights) duel earning households (female careers) changes in parenting & social attitudes
acknowledges some still feel sense of grievance - should use policy reform X rev change

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57
Q

Jennifer Sommerville (2000) Focuses

A

policies to help working parents - working long hours & m job culs = X compat w/ fam life
equality between men & women = dif to maintain esp if woman takes part time work for childcare rather than husband

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58
Q

Intersectional Feminists

Evaluation of Liberal Feminists

A

reject idea all exper gender oppress & inequal in homogeneous way
encourage intersectional lense to consider complex strucs that lead to inequal
believe lib fems describe false universality based on white MC exper = ethnocentric

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59
Q

Radical Feminists

Evaluation of Liberal Feminists

A

argue lib fems fail to challenge underlying causes of women’s oppression - changing laws not enough - need fundem soc changein struc

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60
Q

Ann Oakley

Evaluation of Liberal Feminists

A

lib fems overstate progress w/in fams - sym fam = flawed as small contribs to housework by men consid sym - argues dual burden

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61
Q

Overlooks Women’s Choice

Evaluation of Liberal Feminists

A

critics argue ignores some women choosing expressive role & part time / flexible work - aren’t forced to undertake dom chores / childcare choose to

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62
Q

Evidence for Progress

Evaluation of Liberal Feminists

A

studies suggest men do m dom labour & parents are soc sons & daughters equally
successful fem campaigns mean women could vote from 1918
Equal Pay Act 1970
Sex Discrim Act 1975

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63
Q

Marxist Feminist Approach

A

view cap & patri as insep systems - main form of oppress = cap - relies on unpaid dom female labour - this exploit reinforces patri power strucs
abol cap = needed to tackle patri

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64
Q

Soft Solutions

Marxist Feminists

A
  • payments for invisible work
  • closing pay gap
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65
Q

Hard Solutions

Marxist Feminists

A
  • rev to overthrow cap systems
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66
Q

Marxist Feminist View of the Family

A

cause of oppress = men & cap - linked to exploitation of WC
fams help to preserve cap & patri - cap gets ben of unpaid work & male workforce are fed, looked after & kept happy to ensure work hard

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67
Q

3 Functions Women Perform

Marxist Feminist

A
  1. reproduction - Beechy - new labour force
  2. reserve army of cheap labour - Beechy - later in soc acknow women do take paid work then returen to childcare
  3. absorbers of anger - Ainsley - warm bath, cushioning effect - women = takers of s**t
68
Q

Outdated

Marxist Feminist Evaluation

A

women no longer reserve army of cheap labour have equal rights & as likely to be bread winner
assumes nuc fam = dom ignores other fam strucs

69
Q

Oppresssion in Non-capitalist Societies

Marxist Feminist Evaluation

A

china - women face greater gender inequal
2018 gender pay gap = 22%, only 17% of senior employ pos = women, = 31% UK, = imbal pol rep 6/25 mems of politburo = women

70
Q

Provides Insight into Women’s Role in Capitalism

Marxist Feminist Evaluation

A

provides insight into intersectional fems - acknow rela between soc class & oppress of fems
Bour fems argue also oppress - backs up M ideas of fam & how serves cap
uncovers some issues related to dark side of fam - abuse

71
Q

Radical Feminist Approach

A

all socs based on patri - oppose pol & soc orgs tied to this
men = enemy - source of oppress & exploitation
take militant approach - changing law will never be enough on its own - men will always oppress - women should find alt ways of living

72
Q

Gender Sepraratism

A

women must org selves to live independen from men

73
Q

Political Lesbianism

A

hetrosexual relas = inevitability oppressive = sleeping w the enemy

74
Q

Matrilocal Households

A

all female households - Greer

75
Q

Radical Feminist View of Family

A

fam & mar = key insitus in patri soc
girls = soc to believe oppressors & inequal = norm & so accept inequal of fam life

76
Q

Delphy & Leonard (1992)

A

men benefit from women’s unpaid dom lab & sexual services & dom through DV & sexual violence
most heads of Hholds = men - make decisions - provides £ - other mems work unpaid - dom & sexual lab = female respon - amount inheri = based on pos in fam X work - sons often done less - man has greater control over prop & £ - working women shoulder dom burden

77
Q

Greer (2000)

A

= strong ideology that wife = m NB aspir & will = subserv - high div rate shows mar makes women unhappy
motherhood offers little sat & soc does’t value mothers’ work - expected to regain figures quickly & return to work
used as scapegoats for children’s crime, unemployment & anti-social behav
daughters = sexually exploited - matrilocal = answer

78
Q

Ignores March of Progress

Evaluation of Radical Feminists

A

Sommerville (2000) crit for not recognition improvs - better access to div, contra & working rights
don’t recog new DV legislation- 2015 - protect women from violent & abusive behav - arguement against sep

79
Q

Solutions are Unobtainable

Evaluation of Radical Feminists

A

sep & matrilocal HHs = unob - so rev would face resistance from system
Sommerville (2000) = unrealistic - hetro attraction & innate need for intimacy makes sep unlikely

80
Q

Inaccurate Depiction of Family

Evaluation of Radical Feminists

A

not all fams = nuc/ patri
not all HHs exper abuse
funcs would argue bens to monog hetero relas
some women value child-rearing & dom roles as sig & nec w/in soc & rationally decide to form trad nuc fam struc (Hakim 1995)

81
Q

Strengths

Evaluation of Radical Feminists

A
  • plausible explan for how women = reliant on men via child bearing & how leads to oppression & exploit
  • hold powerful place in soc - camp for clear gender inequals in soc that = detri
  • evidence of dual burden & triple shift - 2x childcare & 64% m time on chores than men
  • ME TOO campaign & Harvey Weinstein scandal show harrassment & SA of women = common
82
Q

Difference Feminist Approach

A

reject idea all women exper opp & gender inequal in homogeneuos way
MC V WC, White V Black, Lesbian V Hetero

83
Q

Difference Feminist View of Family

A

use intersectional lense to consider complex interactions of strucs w/in fam that lead to gender inequal
lib fems = ethnocentric - false universality based on western MC white woman - by viewing fam as purely neg ignore bens felt by black fems - sup againsts racism

84
Q

Strengths of Difference Feminist Approach

A

emphs NBance of indu difs between expers of women in fams
recogs dif fam strucs beyond trad nuc fam

85
Q

Criticisms of Difference Feminist Approach

A

dif to research & gen wider pops - Black fem
X acknow women share many sim expers w/in fam inc risk of DV, SA, & low pay

86
Q

Overly Negative

Criticisms of Feminist Approach

A

sim to M’s paint too neg pic - whilst some fams may = unequal & male dom = some m equal

87
Q

Outdated

Criticisms of Feminist Approach

A

ignore idea of women as bwinners - nature of fam has changed - lib rad and M fems base arguments on trad fam

88
Q

Underestimates Women as Passive

Criticisms of Feminist Approach

A

post mod fems highlight women don’t have to accept the patri & don’t have to choose between fam & equality - can resist & assert own power
Hakim - fem ignores that some choose expressive roles
ignores power of women to abuse men

89
Q

Strengths of Feminism

A

camp for worthy cause - clear gender inequality still prevelent
give idea of fam life through view of women
uncovers issues in darkside of fam & patri nature of fam
intersectional fems iden diveristy of fam life through age class & ethnicity

90
Q

Post Modernist Approach

A

fam life = less stable - struc no longer dict by trad = m choice in relas - creates m diverse fam strucs - no longer 1 single dam & uni fam type

91
Q

Giddens (1992)

Pre Industrial Rev

A

changes in soc have led to changes in relas in fam life - partic w/ sexual partners
b4 C18 = econ basis of mar - choice based on wealth & how would work in unit of prod

92
Q

Giddens (1992)

18th Century

A

= change mar for love - choices made for physical attraction, compat & fulfill - emerging love = focused of many novels, paintings & poems - idea love lasts 4ever & relas = long lasting
rom love led to dom of men - women expected to preserve virginity for perfect man

93
Q

Giddens (1992)

Plastic Sexuality

A

after intro of contraception changed = greater freedom & choice - sex no longer just for repro - women have greater choice over sex lives = Plastic Sexuality & reflected reflexitivity in post mod soc

94
Q

Giddens (1992)

Confluent Love

A

whilst rom love = ideal in W culs conflu love emerged - women no longer accept male sexual dom
= bottom up approach - stay in relas bc love & satisfy each others needs = pure rela

95
Q

Giddens (1992)

Pure Relationships

A

only contin as long as both are benefitting - personal hap = paramount - created changed from LT relas to serial monogamy - formed foundations for needs based fam

96
Q

Beck

A

fewer ppl getting married bc of inc in risk conciousness - see nearly 1/2 of mars = div
reflects individualisation & reflex in P-M soc - decisions = informed by observing soc & risks of mar - indu desires lead ppl to choose not to get married rather than influ by soc commitment
fam struc built on personal choice = nego fam - don’t conform to trad fam norms - vary to needs of mems = dec stability - can leave - lone p fams created - creates zombie fams

97
Q

Individualisation Thesis

A

Beck + Giddens = IT - emphasises role of personal choice & iden in formation of rom relas & fams
same sex fams = example - no trad soc norm

98
Q

Stacey (1993)

A

associates change in fam w/ greater variety in fams following movement away from single dom fam type
conducted case study on P-M fam in California - women forged changed in fam - reject housewife role
P-M fam has destroyed the series of logical stages a fam progresses through - mar, children, empty nest, retirement, widow hood
new fam strucs - div extended fam
P-M fam = complete break away from trad template of nuc fam & an acceptance that ppl choose alt diverse fams

99
Q

Strengths of Stacey

A

studied fam life in silicone valley = futuristic - features fam strucs ahead of trends elsewhere can be seen as shape of things to come

100
Q

Weaknesses of Stacey

A

can we gen her findings eg to Brit
= questionable to what extent fam diveristy & P-M = common - 60% of children still born to married parents and start life as nuc fam

101
Q

Criticising the Individualisation Thesis

Personal Life Perspective

A

Smart & May agree w/ Giddens & Beck but disagree w/ explan
1. exags how much choice ppl have over relas - trad soc class & gen norms still exist & limit choices
2. sees ppl as indepen & free floating - ignores decisions occur in soc context
3. argued indu thesis = ethnocentric & only fits needs of white MC US men

102
Q

View of Family

Personal Life Perspective

A

reject M, F, F bc:
1. assume dom fam struc = nuc - ignores diversity
2. = too deterministic - ignore free will
takes bottom up approach - emphs meanings that ppl hold that shape their actions & relas - infu by interactionism & PM

103
Q

Smart - The Connectedness Thesis

A

rejects assump of decline of fam life found in indu as ethno
views ppl as soc beings who = influ by network of relas & personal history = C Thesis
relas = beyond genetic relatedness that = those who = NB to ppl

104
Q

Connectedness Thesis

A
  1. relas w/ friends - might = like sister/ bro
  2. fictive kin - treated like relatives - called auntie
  3. gay & lesbian chosen fams - sup network of friends, ex-ps & others X rela by mar / blood
  4. relas w/ dead - live in mems & contin to shape idens & actions
  5. relas w/ pets - Tiper - children considered pets as part of fam
105
Q

Donor Conceived Children

A

Nordqvist & Smart (2014) - looked at fams w/ d-c children to explain the NBance of PLP - found issue of blood & genes = mixed feelings
m emph NBance of soc relas over genetic ones in fam bonds
mothers noted their def of being mum = linked to time taken to raise their child m than genetics

106
Q

Strengths of the Personal Life Perspective

A

helps understand how ppl construct & define relas instead of trad defs of fam
can explain diverse fam strucs - sups the validity as m plausible explan of fam
ackows intimacy & its NB funcs of providing sense of belonging & relatedness
recogs that ppl are active in contructing relas - crits NR’s view of nuc fam - may be in decline but doesn’t matter bc other relas can provide nec emo sup

107
Q

Criticisms of the Personal Life Perspective

A

= too broad - fails to recog bens of nuc fam - stability fin sup & emo sups - m than pets
makes choosing nationally rep sample of fams v dif - so much diversity = dif to make gens
a US survey on friendship (2022) found = in decline - ppl report having fewer friends than 1990s - rely on less for emo sup - not as NB as suggested
fems crit indu - claim women are still seen as natural carers

108
Q

Defining Social Policy

A

plans & actions of state agencies - health, soc services, welfare system, schools & other public bodies
usually based on laws introed by gov that provide framework w/in which these agencies operate

109
Q

Direct Policies

A

promote/reject certain Hhold strucs - mar tax allowance, inher tax break for spouses

110
Q

Indirect Policies

A

may not have intended impact on Hhold struc but once implemented do
Equal Pay Act 1970

111
Q

Social Policy & the Family

A

material sup policies - working tax credits, universal credit, maternity pay
physical sip policies - early years childcare provision

112
Q

Increased Cohabitation & Delayed Marriage

A

career aspirations of women mean they delay mar
have inc repro rights enabling couples to delay/ not have children
enables greater lifestyle choice & geo movement w/ m couples working apart/ travelling internat b4 starting fam

113
Q

Increased Cohabitation & Delayed Marriage

Social Policy

A

womens right to work delaying mar - EPA SDA
reproductive rights delaying, preventing childbirth - National Health Service Act (1967) - contraception on NHS & Abortion Act (1967)

114
Q

Increased Divorce

A

inc breakdown of trad fam unit & m LP fams, lone person HHolds & m reconstituted fams
linked to women’s econ indepen
creation of welfare state meant resident parent = m able to leave unhappy relas w/ greater fin sup to look after children

115
Q

Increased Divorce

Social Policy

A

div reform act (1968) enabled no fault div request to be made - div after 2 yrs if both agree 5 if only 1
div, dissolution & separation act (2020) reformed legal process removing blame can request together
Beveridge report (1942) - introed welfare state benefit, single parent benefit, uni credit, child & housing benefit

116
Q

Lone Parent Families

A

a consequence of inc div - 1 in 4 dependent children live in lone parent fam = 3x 1971

117
Q

Lone Parent Families

Social Policy

A

child support agency locates non resident parent if not paying child maintenance
adoption act (1976) gave single hetero indus the right to adopt
adoption & children act (2002) gave single & LGBTQ+ indus right to adopt

118
Q

Same Sex Couples

A

one of m sig fam struc changes as a result of change to legis & social policy - grown by 50% since 2015

119
Q

Same Sex Couples

Social Policy

A

Equal Mar Act (2013)
Civil Partnership Act (2004)
Sexual Offences Act (1967) - decrim homosexual acts between men
Adoption & Children Act (2002) legis of adoption & IVF treatments for s-s fams 2023 20% of adopts = s-s couples
section 28

120
Q

Conservative Policies 1979-97

A

Thatcher & Major
influ by NR - focus = strengthening nuclear fam, sturc & roles emph self help & reliance by red welfare

121
Q

Conservative Policies 1979-97

Examples

A

child sup agency (1993)
children’s act I (1989) - child protection
mar men’s tax allowance
section 28 - banned teaching of homo in edu
illegit children given same rights as those w/ mar parents

122
Q

New Labour Policies 1997-2010

A

Blair & Brown
still under influ of NR = m progressive - fav duel earning fams over trad roles - gave some sup to alt fams but pref hetero nuc fam

123
Q

New Labour Policies 1997-2010

Examples

A

parenting order for those w/ unruly kids
longer mat leave
new deal
allowed unmarried & some s-s adopt
working fam tax credit
civil partnership act

124
Q

Coalition Government Policies 2010-15

A

Clegg & Cameron
v inconsistent due to conflict between
modernists - acceptance of fam diversity
trads - fav nuc fam

125
Q

Coalition Government Policies 2010-15

Examples

A

removed couples penalty from tax credits
introed shared parental leave
equal mar act

126
Q

Conservative Policies 2016-24

A

May, Johnson, Truss & Sunak
m concerned w/ brexit - but did return to NR focus

127
Q

Conservative Policies 2016-24

Examples

A

reintroed mar couples tax allowance
2 child cap on tax credits
civil parntership for hetero couples

128
Q

China’s One Child Policy

A

by late 1970s pop = 1 bil - introed to manage & num of children = supervised by workplace fam coms
if want m than 1 child have to apply - long wait
1 got extra bens - free healthcare, edu priority & higher tax allowances - if violated have to repay allowances & fine

129
Q

Effect of China’s One Child Policy on Women

A

women forced to undergo sterilisation after 1 child
by 2007 only 36% pop = limited to 1
Jan 2016 policy = 2 2021 = 3 due to concerns about demograpic imbalances- ageing pop

130
Q

Fertility Rates

Effect of China’s One Child Policy

A

prevented 400 mil births lowest fertility rates in world
4% m men = gender skew - when abol 30 mil men w/o prospective wives - fewer women of child bearing age further reduced birthrates & mar rates - restricted nuc fam struc

131
Q

Demographic Imbalance

Effect of China’s One Child Policy

A

ageing pop - no children to sup - if child died- underbal working pop to sup through state services

132
Q

Increased Number of Undocumented Children

Effect of China’s One Child Policy

A

no rights w/in soc - can’t leave/access edu

133
Q

Women

Effect of China’s One Child Policy

A

forced abortions & sterilisations

134
Q

Communist Romania

A

to inc pop & future lab force in 1980s soc pols banned contra & restricted abortion, = fertility clinics & m stringent div laws
compul monthly exams by state Drs - failed pregs investigated for abortion
dec mar age to 15 & unmarked couples paid 5% extra income tax - sup nuc fam

135
Q

Nazi Family Policy

A

low birth rate 1933 - needed w’s & s’s - emph nuc fam & trad GRs
Law for Encour of Mar (1933) = £ incens - mar couples could get loans & repayments dec 25% for each child
rewards for lots of children - mothers cross
Law for prevention of unemployment = £ incens for women to stay at home

136
Q

Functionalist Perspective on Social Policy

A

state acts in interest of soc pols = for good of all
help fams to perform roles w/in fam m effectively to make life better for all mems - MofP view
= nec to address & fix probs related to fam dsyfunc - DV/ inc div - fav ones which reinforce nuc fam as superior

137
Q

Ronald Fletcher

A

health edu & housing pols have created welfare state - helps fam perform funcs m effect - NHS allows to care for sick mems better

138
Q

Early Functionalist Perspective on Social Policy

A

Durkheim etc believe soc pol = cure for soc probs & used to manage soc change & maintain soc cohesion

139
Q

Jaques Donzelot (1977)

A

conflict pov - soc pol = state control & power
uses Foucault’s surveillance
applies to fam - pros surveil & police fam - soc w’s, Drs & health visitors use knowledge to control & change fams
not targeted at all soc classes equally - poor targeted for improvement = prob fams - cause of crime & anti soc behav

140
Q

Foucault’s Surveillance

A

soc pol used through observing & monitoring - power diffused thro soc in all relas & pros in state services

141
Q

Condry (2007)

A

state seeks to control & regulate fam life imposing compulsory parenting orders through courts

142
Q

Donzelot & March of Progress

A

rejects soc pol = oppressing certain fam types
by focussing on micro level of how caring pros = agents of soc control through sur of fams shows NBance of pros knowledge as form of power & control

143
Q

Criticisms of Functionalist View of Social Policy

A

fems & M’s reject argue pols do not ben all mems of fam / soc as whole
assumes MofP & life improvement for fams w/ each pol - NR - those encour LP fams X MofP

144
Q

New Right & Social Policy

A

fav convention nuc fam w/ trad gen roles - assumes = ideal to sup self reliance & caring for children esp soc
soc pols have underminded nuclear fam - inc div cohab & same sex relas

145
Q

Abortion Act (1967)

A

takes away reproductive role & encourage sexual instability & casual relas

146
Q

Divorce Reform Act (1969)

A

encours LP fams & fam diversity undermines mar 4ever idea

147
Q

Decrim of Homosexuality (1967)

A

1st indication fams not built on hetero nuc fams = acceptable - fam diversity

148
Q

Charles Murray (1984)

Social Policy

A

crit state welfare - council housing for unmarried teenage mums - bens to LP fams - undermines nuclear fam - encours dsyfunc fam strucs
NR advises state X to interfere & make fams reliant on system - cuts in welfare & bens & structer eligibility to discour preg X of mar & remove depen cul
want pols to encour nuc fam - tax breaks

149
Q

Marxist Criticisms of New Right Social Policy Stance

A

will only make poor poorer - not help for social mobility - reinforces cap

150
Q

Feminist Criticisms of New Right Social Policy Stance

A

child ben favs women working part time - not enough funding for full hours of childcare - edu pols - holidays also encour part time work
assume elderly cared for by women stereo role - limits abil work & inc depen on men

151
Q

Hilary Land (1978)

A

soc pols = SFP that try to:
1. return to patri nuc fams by perpet female subord - state pols - tax incentives make fam diversity harder
2. reinforce trad GRs
3. double burden - care & fin contrib

152
Q

Leonard (1978)

A

pols like maternity leave appear to sup women - reinforce patri NFs - m fin depen on men & unequal division of labour - suggest women = carers

153
Q

Liberal Feminists & Social Policy

A

MofP pol can bring about gender equality - help escape DV & bens tackle child pov

154
Q

Radical Feminists & Social Policy

A

changes X suff bc inequality so entrenched in society- serves to reninforce patri strucs
despite equal pay act still sexism - only 23% exec pos, 29% senior management roles & median pay gap = 15%
view overly gen mat leave comp to pat leave as reinforcing role of women as carers - triple shift

155
Q

Social Policies Supporting Gender Equality

A

Abortion Act
Equal Pay Act
Divorce Reform Act

156
Q

```

Social Policies Against Gender Equality

A

conservative MPs pushing for change in abortion to 22 X 24 weeks - limits body control
research suggests by 2020 86% of gov spending cuts effect women - dv funding, child benefit

157
Q

General Evaluation of New Right & Social Policy

A

not all soc pols undermine NF - some sup - tax & welfare pols for hetero couples - inher tax

158
Q

Drew (1995)

A

gender regimes to describe how soc pols in dif countries can either encour/ discourage gender equality
country’s pol on tax, childcare, welfare services, & equal ops all effect whether women can work full time / forgo to care - validity of fem argument depends on soc

159
Q

Familistic Gender Regimes

A

reinforce trad GRs w/ unequal division of lab - Greece v little state welfare - women expected to care

160
Q

Individualistic Gender Regimes

A

promotes gender equality - Sweden & UK

161
Q

Gender Regimes & UK

A

= indu = crit of fem view of soc pol
MofP = limited pols promo gender equality rely on state funding - women take burden of cuts since 2008 recession eg child maintenance payments enforce dads to provide fin care - no enforcement to fulfill caring role - argument = regression - women bearing burden of caring for fam mems again

162
Q

Family Diversity

A

funcs & NR = modernist see mod soc as fairly fixed clear cut & predictable struc
func views nuc fam as dom NR argues should be but = undermined by less conven strucs due to pol change

163
Q

Functionalists on Family Diversity

A

alt types = dysfunc & abnormal - unable to perform funcs - primary soc bc 1 gender parent = missing - can’t teach instru & express roles

164
Q

New Right & Family Diversity

A

nuc fam undermined by fam diversity = cause of many soc probs
fam = cornerstone of soc - refuge & harmony - unstable fams = ineffective prim soc - men X value hw & women X dom - inc delinq

165
Q

Evaluation of New Right & Family Diversity

A

feminists - both views pol justis to suppress women into trad GRs so find depen on husband
Oakley - NR argue GRs = bio = soc construc - cross cul studies - m & w = vareity of roles - nayar tribe = neg reaction to gender equality
no evidence lp fams rasie delinq & that cohab = less commitment

166
Q

Child Commisioners Report (2022)

A

NR - biggest issue = dec of nuc fam - m common worries = fin - inc CofL & childcare concerns for those w/ young children

167
Q

Evidence for Family Diversity

A

stats sup inc in reconstit fam by cohab, 1st mar / remar - can = cause of tension - unclear roles of step parents - but = wider sup
gay & lesbian parents children = no dif
1970 - 79% children = nuc fam whole childhood = 56% 2018
since early 1970s Lp fams inc 8% - 26%

Sociology (6 decks)

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