Family - Roles of the Family - 2.1 Flashcards

1
Q

Functionalism Roles of Family (KS)

A

> Durkheim (Organic Analogy)
Parsons (2 Irreducible Functions, Division of Labour, Functional Fit)
Murdock (4 Functions of Family)

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2
Q

Durkheim - Organic Analogy

A

> Bodies a system made up of different parts e.g. cells, organs, functioning to maintain it

> Likewise, Societies, made up of structures e.g. education, state etc.

> Family vital maintaining social system, meeting needs of systems e.g. the economy.

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3
Q

Murdock (4 Functions of Family)

A

> Sexual Function
Reproductive Function
Primary Socialisation
Economic Function

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4
Q

Sexual Function

A

> Stable Satisfaction of sex drive, with marital partner

> Stops sexual jealousy & disruption from sexual free for all.

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5
Q

Reproduction Function

A

Having children otherwise society can’t continue.

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6
Q

Primary Socialisation

A

Process of learning basic norms & values so new members integrate into society.

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7
Q

Economic Function

A

Meets members economic needs e.g. food & shelter

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8
Q

Benefit of 4 Functions of Family (Murdock)

A

> Maintains Social solidarity

> Efficiency - explains why it’s universal.

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9
Q

Parsons (2 Irreducible Functions)

A

> Primary Socialisation

> Stabilisation of adult personalities

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10
Q

Parsons idea of Primary Socialisation

A

Gives next generation skills & values, allows co-operation & integration

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11
Q

Stabilisation of Adult Personalities & Warm Bath Theory (Parsons)

A

> Emotional security in relationship, life’s stressful, so breadwinner ‘de-stressed’ by his wife.

> Relieves tensions, can go back to work aiding the economy

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12
Q

Parsons (Functional fit)

A

> Extended family was multifunctional, unit of production/consumption

> Nuclear family fits complex modern society e.g. geographical & social Mobility.

> Extended family functions now carried out by state e.g. NHS

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13
Q

Geographical Mobility (Functional fit) - Parsons

A

Easier for nuclear family to move to where jobs are, harder with extended family

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14
Q

Social Mobility (Functional fit) - Parsons

A

> Status achieved not ascribed, sons can get higher status jobs compared to their fathers.

> Set up own nuclear family due to status conflict if they stayed working in the extended family farms/cottage industries

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15
Q

Criticisms of Functionalism

A
> Outdated
> Ansley
> Benefiting Powerful Groups
> Downplay Conflict
> Socially Constructed
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16
Q

Outdated? - Criticisms of Functionalism

A

> Nuclear family not dominant in today’s society, alternative family types do essential functions

> Gender roles changed

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17
Q

Benefiting Powerful Groups - Criticisms of Functionalism

A

> Not society, but powerful groups - Marxists state that family benefits the ruling class

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18
Q

Downplays Conflict - Criticisms of Functionalism

A

Ignores e.g. Domestic violence & child abuse.

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19
Q

Socially Constructed - - Criticisms of Functionalism

A

> Family life varies between different cultures & societies - nuclear family not universal

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20
Q

A03 Parsons Functional Fit (Key Studies)

A

> Young & Wilmott

> Laslett

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21
Q

Young & Wilmott - A03 Parsons Functional Fit

A

Extended family networks were still strong in East London in 1970’s

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22
Q

Laslett - A03 Parsons FF

A

Family was nuclear before industrialisation due to low life expectancy

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23
Q

Marxism (Key Studies)

A

> Engels (Inheritance of Property)
Althusser (Socialisation)
Zaretsky (Cushioning Effect, Unit of Consumption, Ideological Functions)

24
Q

Marxist view of the Family

A

> Tool of capitalism reinforces inequalities.

25
Althusser (Socialisation)
> Socialising next generation into ruling class ideology & unequal social hierarchy > Ensures they see inequality as natural and normal
26
Engels (Inheritance of Property)
> Rich fathers pass private property to sons who inherit it. > So wealth stays in private nuclear families not distributed among society. > So this reproduces inequality, women are mere instruments for children as only the nuclear family ensures this.
27
Zaretsky (Unit of Consumption)
> Generating profits for ruling class, workers paid less than the price of the products they produce > Advertising us to have latest products, children use pester power > Children lacking gadgets are mocked by their peers
28
Zaretsky (Ideological Functions)
- Socialises us to see capitalism as fair, natural & unchangeable. > Hierarchy in the family teaches and symbolises hierarchy in the workplace - we must conform
29
Zaretsky (Cushioning Effect)
>Family is a safe haven from capitalist world, allows men to feel in control because they can’t feel this workplace due to alienation > Prevents the working class from recognising their oppression and starting a revolution.
30
General Criticisms of Marxism
> Ignores Family Diversity > Deterministic > Engels View not applicable in Modern Society
31
Ignores Family Diversity - General Criticisms of Marxism
> Only focus on nuclear family, ignores other family types
32
Deterministic - General Criticisms of Marxism
> People aren't just passive puppets > Some families reject consumerist lifestyles bringing up their children to be independent thinkers.
33
Engels View not being applicable in Modern Society - General Criticisms of Marxism
People don't marry to pass on wealth to children but love - link to Giddens Pure Relationship
34
Feminism (Key Studies)
> Lib Fem (March of Progress View) > Somerville (Lib Fem) (Improvement) > Marx-Fem (Role of Capitalism) > Ansley (Marx Fem) (Absorbing Men’s Anger) > Benston (Marx Fem) (Reserve Army of Labour) > Rad Fem (Men as Enemy) > Diff Fem (Not all Women have = experience)
35
Liberal Feminism (March of progress view)
> Legal reforms e.g. Equal Pay & Sex Discrimination, Rape in marriage illegal. > Family more equal rise of divorce extended family, New Man, women have more choice over marriage/cohabitation/children > Socialisation of children into equality parents have equal aspirations for them. > But still changes still needed for equality
36
Somerville (Liberal Feminism) (Improvement)
> Women's roles have improved with increased access to divorce, control over their fertility & job opportunities.
37
Criticisms of Liberal Feminism
> Focuses on White middle class women, not BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups) > Attitudes not changed despite legal reform
38
General Marxist Feminist view
> Focus on capitalism, private property & lack of control over production, so needs abolishment
39
Marxist Feminist 3 Areas of Exploitation
> Women reproduce the labour force > Absorbing men's Anger > Reserve Army of Cheap Labour
40
Women reproduce labour force (Marxist Feminist )
> Unpaid work of women in the family stops family disintegrating benefits the upper class > Socialises the next generation whilst servicing the current generation
41
Ansley (Marxist Feminist) (Absorbing Men’s Anger)
> Women are emotional support to men, due to anger from capitalist workplace > Women are 'takers of sh*t' absorbing the anger of the working class husband should be directed to capitalist employers e.g. domestic violence.
42
Benston (Marxist Feminist) (Reserve Army of Labour)
- Women are taken on temporarily, due to need for increased workers, employers increase the rate of exploitation, so production is more flexible > Women then return to the domestic role after
43
Marxist Feminist solution to women's problems
> Abolishment of capitialism & family
44
Criticisms of Marxist Feminists
> Women are still inferior in non-capitalist areas. | > Women's oppression didn’t begin with capitalism & they are no longer reserve army of cheap labour.
45
Radical Feminists on Causes of women's exploitation
> Patriarchal Family, men benefit from women's triple shift, they dominated through domestic violence > They describe relationships between men and women as ''sleeping with the enemy'' - they practice political lesbianism
46
A03 Radical Feminism (Key Study)
> Somerville (Exaggerated)
47
Somerville (Exaggerated)
> Radical feminist arguments are exaggerated, political lesbianism unrealistic due to biological attraction > Domestic violence is also suffered by men
48
Difference Feminists views on the Family
> Women's experiences are vary due to differences in ethnicities, class, sexualities > White women neglect black girls experiences of racism. > e.g. Black feminists see family as source of support for racism
49
Criticisms of Difference Feminism
> Do share equalities as all groups experience domestic violence, low pay, sexual assault etc.
50
Personal Life Perspective (Key Studies)
> Smart & Tipper > Nordqvist (Donor-Conceived Children)
51
Personal Life Perspective - General View
> Interactionist View, criticises Functionalism & Marxism > e.g. Ignore family diversity, family members not puppets - they make their own choices about what suits them > e.g. they are not necessarily manipulated to serve needs of capitalism
52
5 Types of Relationship - Smart & Tipper
> Focus on non-conventional relationship, but important for us e.g. 5 types ``` > Friends > Fictive Kin > LGBT ‘Chosen Families > Dead Relatives: Live on our memories > Pets (Tipper): Children saw pets ‘part of family’. ```
53
Nordqvist (Donor-Conceived Children)
> Social relationship more important than biological. e.g. more important of the of mum linked with raising child, not childbirth (same-sex relationships) > If Couples knew donor, had to resolve if they were family. Are they an 'uncle'? > Lesbians concerned donor, may be treated as real second parent under the law
54
Personal Life Perspective's view on effects of Decline of Nuclear Family
> Not important as less people having kids/marriage increased numbers living alone > Stability of nuclear families exaggerated (especially by New Right) with increased rates of family breakdown. > Can still have meaningful relationships, but people not entirely free due to societal/cultural expectations
55
Criticisms of Personal Life Perspective
> Broad view, including a range of alternative relationships - they do ignore what is special about blood/marital relations