Ideology Of Nuclear Family In Contemporary Society

Question 1

What is the focus of postmodernism in relation to family structures?

Answer 1

Focus on how families serve society and the tenets of their structures

Emphasizes the diversity and complexity of family forms.

Question 2

What is the nuclear family (NF) considered vital for?

Answer 2

Economic policy and socialization of children
Murdock argues it is essential for societal function and continuity.

Question 3

According to functionalism, what threatens family stability?

Answer 3

Sudden changes in society

Functionalists believe stability is crucial for the family unit.

Question 4

Who criticized the welfare benefits system, claiming it creates a culture of dependency?

Answer 4

Murray (New Right)

Claims that high benefits discourage work.

Question 5

What does Murdock suggest about the Nuclear family across cultures? (Functionalism)

Answer 5

Exists in every culture and is vital for societal function

Murdock surveyed 150 societies to support this claim.

Question 6

What is Stacey’s view on family types in contemporary society? (Postmodernism)

Answer 6

There has been a decline of the dominant family type, leading to more diverse structures

Reflects changes in social norms and values.

Question 7

What is the ideology of the nuclear family according to Spencer? (Functionalism)

Answer 7

Family is an institution with specific functions in society, including socialization and teaching of N+Vs
Emphasises the importance of the nuclear family for societal stability.

Question 8

What role does the nuclear family play in capitalism according to Marxism?

Answer 8

Ideal family for society to function and encourages marriage

Marxism critiques the nuclear family as benefiting capitalism.

Question 9

What do radical feminists argue about the traditional family structure?

Answer 9

It is a form of patriarchal control that benefits men due to women’s unpaid domestic labour e.g. childcare

Highlights the inequalities within the family structure.

Question 10

According to liberal feminism, how can social equality for women be achieved?

Answer 10

Through legal means and social reform

Focuses on gradual change rather than radical overhaul.

Question 11

What is the main cause of women’s oppression in the family according to Marxist feminism?

Answer 11

Capitalism, not men

Women are exploited for the profit of the capitalist system.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: In contemporary society, the nuclear family is seen as the _______ family for societal function.

Answer 12

ideal

Reflects the traditional view of family roles.

Question 13

True or False: Feminism heavily focuses on economic issues and neglects other social divisions.

Answer 13

False

Feminism recognizes various social divisions beyond class.

Question 14

What did Engels adapt in his theory regarding the family?

Answer 14

Evolutionary theory to explain family dynamics

He discussed how capitalism and globalization affect family structures.

Question 15

What does the functionalist view suggest about the socialization of children?

Answer 15

It is critical for developing adult personalities

Emphasizes family roles in shaping future generations.

Question 16

Dobash and Dobash

Answer 16

Feminism, men dominate women through domestic violence symmetrical and asymmetrical forms of abuse

Question 17

Murdock

Answer 17

Studied 250 societies. Concluded some kind of family included a male and a female; nuclear family dominant.
NF exists in every culture and is therefore most vital for society to work

Question 18

Podenoe

Answer 18

Recreating necessity of NF in marriage
Encourage marriage

Question 19

Giddens

Answer 19

‘Confluent love’ describes a type of relationship characterised by emotional intimacy, mutual respect and individual autonomy where partners’ commitment is based on personal fulfilment and continuous negotiation

Question 20

Morgan (postmodernism)

Answer 20

Focus on family practices than family itself. Individuals create family by daily activities. From this, we should be less concerned about what family is, but what it means to individuals and how they want to sustain themselves

Question 21

Marxism

Answer 21

Capitalism creates family structures

Question 22

Murray (New Right)

Answer 22

NF is under threat. Welfare policies, underclass etc have contributed to its decline.

Question 23

Benefits (Murray)

Answer 23

Welfare policies have created a ‘culture of dependency’ where people are more likely to take benefits than work, see it as acceptable.
Bad because have children brought up in families who don’t work and see it as okay e.g. lone parents. Reinforces to new generation that work and family is not important because you can live off benefits, threatens ideology of NF

Question 24

What does an over generous welfare state lead to?

Answer 24

Encourages formation of lone parent families as by having less income, lone parents will have more access to benefits

Question 25

New Right

Answer 25

Believe that the decline of the NF and growth of family diversity are the cause of many social problems

Question 26

Dependency culture

Answer 26

Murray: where the welfare state created a dependency culture in which people assume the state will support them and their children