Family - Functions of family - XXX

Question 1

What did George Murdock (1949) say were the functions of the family?

Answer 1

Functionalist
Stable satisfaction of sex drive
Reproduction of next generation
Socialisation of young
Meetings its members economic needs

Question 2

Evaluation of Murdock?

Answer 2

Partners can have affairs
Some people infertile or don’t have children
Some families don’t properly socialise child or not at all
Some families need financial support - benefits

Question 3

What did Talcott Parsons say was functions of family?

Answer 3

Functionalist
Family types change, industrialisation means families need to be geographically mobile so nuclear families better.
The way family types change depending on society is called ‘the functional fit’.

Question 4

What is the Marxist view of the functions of the family?

Answer 4

Social construct protecting capitalism
Media:
Adverts designed for families to buy from bourgeoisie.
Capitalist owners pushing ideology.
Education:
Teaches obedience and norms and values of ruling class.
Exams and grades divides

Question 5

What is the feminist view on functions of family?

Answer 5

Social construct for oppression of women by men.
Radical feminism - Greer (2000) solution: political lesbianism
Liberal feminism - outdated laws and attitudes of women in society. Solution: parent children to be equal.

Question 6

Evaluation of feminism?

Answer 6

Assume nuclear family is dominant family type. Ignores diversity of families (Rhapoports)
Mug and Jug analogy