family Flashcards
what is the sociological definition of the family
The family is a social group characterised by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction. It includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the socially cohabiting adults. - George Murdock.
What is common residence?
When people live together/ in the same household.
What is economic cooperation?
When people share income/ work together
What is a socially approved relationship?
When two people are married to each other
What are criticisms of the sociological definition of family?
+A family could be adults of the same gender
+Parents divorce- one moves away- they are still family
+Not all families are economically dependent, some rely on welfare benefits
+Not all couples have children, may be a choice
+Not all couples are married, not all individuals wait till marriage.
+Gay couples may cohabit, have formed a civil partnership, Gay Marriage 2013.
What type of family does Murdock describe?
Nuclear Family
What did Murdock believe that the nuclear family was?
Believed that the nuclear family is ‘a universal social grouping’ in other words it is found in all societies.
How has the family unit changed since 1949?
+Grandparents are now living longer
+Adults may choose if they marry or have children
+High levels of divorce
+Same sex families
+More cohabiting couples, with and without children.
What is the structure of a family?
The size and shape of the family
What are the roles of a family?
The part that an individual plays
What did functionalist argue about institutions in society?
That institutions were functional for society and that they were interested in how they contributed to society’s overall stability.
Do functionalists focus on the positive or negative views of the family?
They concentrate on the positive views of the family.
What do functionalists compare society to and what is the comparison known as?
They compare society to the human body and it is known as the organic analogy
What Family type do functionalist see as the ideal type?
Nuclear family
Define the nuclear family
A couple and their dependent children, regarded as a basic social unit.
What are the names of the key functionalist sociologists
Parsons
Murdock
Fletcher
What did Parsons argue about families in pre-industrial societies?
He argued that families in pre-industrial societies were based on extended kinship networks.
What was the family according to Parsons?
The family was a Unit of Production. Where families lived and worked together in agriculture or producing goods on a small scale.
What does Parsons argue that resulted in major changes to the family?
He argues that industrialisation resulted in major changes to the family.
Change 1- what did Parsons say industrialisation required more of?
Industrialisation required a more geographically mobile workforce.
According to Parsons what 2 functions were the nuclear family able to specialise in?
Function 1 - Primary Socialisation
Function 2 - The stabilisation of adult personalities
What is Primary Socialisation?
Children are socialised into the norms and values of society, in the family
What is the Stabilisation of Adult Personalities?
Parsons likens the family to a warm bath - the idea that it relieves the stresses and strains of everyday life.
According to Parsons what does society expect the family to be?
Society expects the family to be an effective socialiser of children, and provide effective emotional support for adults
The nuclear unit provided the husband and wife with clear roles, what were their roles?
Male - Instrumental leader
Female - Expressive role
Which 4 essential functions did the nuclear family perform according to Murdock?
- The Stable Satisfaction of the Sex Drive
- Reproduction of the next generation
- Socialisation of the young
- Meeting its members economic needs
What are Criticisms of Murdock’s 4 functions?
- It is old fashioned, and you don’t have to marry
- People may not want to children
- Neglect is not factored in. May not have the same norms and values as the rest of society
- Welfare state may do this
What did Fletcher say were the three essential functions?
- Stable satisfaction of sexual needs
- Productioon and rearing of children
- Provision of a home
What did Fletcher say were the 6 non-essential functions?
- Government
- Economic
- Education
- Health
- Religious
- Recreation
What does Fletcher believe about the family in the modern age?
Fletcher believes that the family performs more functions and in a far more detailed and sophisticated manner, than the family did before industrialisation.
What are the strengths of functionalism?
- There is clear recognition of the importance of values in holding society together.
- Functionalism stresses the importance of the families role in socialising children.
- Many positive aspects of the family are revealed by this approach
What are some criticisms of Functionalism?
- Functionalists concentrate on the nuclear family and do not allow possibility of other family types.
- They only focus on the positive aspects of the family life.
- Feminists argue that women lose out in the family, being expected to provide the expressive role.
How do New Right theorists and Functionalists have similar views?
They both believe that the traditional nuclear family is the best type to meet the needs of society
In what ways might people be dependent on the state?
Child benefits
Disability benefits
Housing benefits
What do New Right theorists believe that family types other than the nuclear family cause?
Other family types cause social disorder and disruption.
What was the New Right theory concerned about?
- Rising divorce
- More single parent families and children born to unwed parents
- More cohabitation
What is happening due to the changes that New Right are concerned about?
Seeing fewer nuclear families
What are the 4 reasons that the changes are occurring, according to New Right?
- A breakdown of ‘traditional family values’.
- Over generous welfare benefits to single mothers, which allows fathers to neglect their responsibilities.
- Feminism has devalues marriage, domesticity and childrearing.
- Changes in social attitudes towards sexual behaviour outside traditional marriage.
What do new right theorists believe that the factors contribute to?
- Dependency culture
- Educational failure
- Higher crime rates
- Juvenile delinquency
- Anti-social behaviour
What are New Rights solutions to the problems relating to the family?
-Return to traditional family values
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