Family & Structure Flashcards
Two functions of the family that has been changed due to structure
- economic
- socialisation
When & What does Murdock suggest?
Murdock (1949) suggest that the family traditionally preforms the economic function by pooling resources and providing financial stability such as food and shelter. This meets the need of not only the family but all of society.
What has the economic function been affected by?
The rise in lone parent families.
Since ____ the number of lone parent families in Britain has _____.
Since 1971 the number of lone parent families in Britain has tripled.
What have lone parent families been influenced by?
social, technological, legal changes and the greater acceptance of divorce.
Why would lone parent families fail to fulfil the economic need?
Lone parent families survive off of one household income leading to a great a reliance on the welfare system for support in order to provide for their children.
__% of lone parent families rely on welfare compared to __% of couples.
50% of lone parent families rely on welfare compared to 15% of couples.
Who would criticise this?
Feminists
Why would radical feminists criticise this?
-Mothers arrange co parenting agreements or claim child support from the father of their children.
- They do not rely on the state or the traditional family type.
-Therefore the economic function may not always be lost in lone parent families.
-Structural changes do not affect structure instead we adapt to them
Therefore? ( Feminist link )
The idea that family functions have been undermined by changes in structure does not account for how families are able to adapt to meet the same needs in different forms.
Why has the socialisation function been affected by changes to structure?
The increase in symmetrical families.
What is the symmetrical family?
Both parents share payed employment and domestic work, and has influenced the socialisation function in the family.
When & what do Wilmott & Young suggest ?
Wilmott & Young (1973) argue that men now help more with house work and childcare, and couples spend their leisure time together rather than apart.
What percentage of men did Wilmott & Young say participated in housework?
72%
Who suggest the family is responsible for primary socialisation & when?
Parsons (1951) suggests the family provides primary socialisation which teaches children the shared norms and values of society, so that they are accepted into society.
Who is the socialisation function traditionally provided by?(Parsons Roles)
HOWEVER? (Symmetrical Families)
The mother traditionally preforms the expressive role within the family, however within symmetrical families this role is less distinctive.
What family type is the expressive role not clear in !
SYMMETRICAL
Why is lacking an expressive role within a symmetrical family a bad thing?
Lack primary socialisation due to abscence of a role model in the home (and instead institutions such as schools will preform this function.)
Why has the changes to structure affected the socialisation function of the family ? (LINK)
Family structure has changed as there is less defined, traditional roles, concerning who is responsible for socialisation within the family.
Who would criticise the change in structure affecting family functions?
Radical Feminists.
Why would feminists criticise this? (Socialisation)
What does this suggest?
Women are still predominantly responsible for fulfilling the expressive role crucial to socialisation within families, even within ‘equal’ family structures.
This means the changes in structure may not have greatly impacted the functions of the family as much as suggested.
