Family&Households: Topic 3- Theories of the family Flashcards
Funtionalists
What are the key beliefs of functionalisms?
- Society is based on a value consensus
- They favour nuclear family and see the family as the heart of society
Funtionalists
Why do functionalists compare the bdy to a biological organism?
Like the body, society is made of systems that depends on each other
Funtionalists
What does Murdock argue about the family?
It performs 4 funtions:
* Stablises satisfaction of the sex drive
* Reproduction of next generation
* Socialisation of the young
* Meeting its members economic needs
Funtionalists
What are some critism of Murdock?
- Other family structures can perform these functions
- Marxists: Only meets needs of capitalism
- Feminist: Only serves men
Funtionalists
What does Parsons argue about the ‘functional fit theory’?
Pre-industrial, extended damilies were the most dominant. They educated the young, made food, socialised them. Due to industrialisation, families needed to move without extended family to fit society as it was easier. Industrial society needed two essentials:
* A geographical mobile workforce
* A socially mobile workforce
Funtionalists: Parson’s functional fit theory
How does a geographical mobile workforce lead to a nuclear family?
When society becomes industrialised, families need to move for work. It is easier for nuclear families to move rather than extended families.
Funtionalists: Parson’s functional fit theory
How does a socially mobile workforce lead to a nuclear family?
- Industrial society requires skill, so its essential talented people can win promotions
- Parsons argues nuclear family is better as theres less conflict about status achieved
Funtionalists: Parson’s functional fit theory
What evidence is their against Parsons?
- Young & Willmott: pre-industrial family was nuclear
- Anderson: W/C were extended industrial society
Marxists
What are marxists perspective on the family?
A way to keep the rich rich
* Inheritance of property
* Ideological functions
* A unit of consumption
Marxists
What does Engels argue about inheritance of property?
- Monogomy became essential due to inheritance of private property
- Men ensure their children would inherit from them, ensuring their generation stayed rich
Marxists
What does Zaretsky argue about ideological functions?
- Family socialises children into the idea that hierachy is inevitable
- Zaretsky argues the famliy performs ideologic functions by offering a ‘haven’ from capiltalist world
Marxists
What is a critism to Zaretsky’s argument about ideological functions?
His argument is an illusion:
* Cannot meet members needs
* Based on the domestic servitude of women
Marxists
What is the explanation of a unit of consumption?
Capitalist exploits workers and are generating off of the family:
* ‘keep up with the Jonses’
* Media targets children to persuade parents to spend more
* Children lack latest trendy products may be mocked by peers
Marxists
What are some critisms against the marxist view?
- Ignores variety of family structures in society
- Feminists: it underestimates the importance of gender inequality
- Functionalists: Ignores the benefits family provides
Feminists
What are the 4 feminists?
- Liberal
- Marxists
- Radical
- Difference
