Roles of the Family - 2.1 Flashcards
Functionalism Roles of Family Key Sociologists
> Parsons (2 Irreducible Functions) > Steel and Kid (Stress Relief) > Murdock (4 Functions of Family) > Parsons (Segregated Division of Labour) > Parsons (Functional Fit)
Explain the Functionalist Organic Analogy of the Family?
> Bodies a system made up of diff parts e.g. cells, organs, functioning to maintain it
> Likewise, Societies, made up of structures e.g. education, state etc.
> Family plays vital role maintaining social system, meeting needs of systems e.g. the economy.
Briefly outline Murdock’s 4 Functions of the Family
> Sexual Function
Reproductive Function
Primary Socialisation
Economic Function
Explain Murdock’s Sexual Function
- Stable Satisfaction of the Sex Drive
- With same marital partner, preventing sexual jealousy and social disruption caused by a sexual free for all.
Explain Murdock’s Reproduction Function
Biological reproduction, through family otherwise society can’t continue.
Explain Murdock’s Primary Socialisation
Teaching basic norms and values, for new members to integrate into society.
Explain Murdock’s Economic Function
Meeting members economic needs e.g. food and shelter
Murdock view on Benefit of 4 Functions of the Family
> By performing these functions NF helps to maintain social stability
NF efficiency at meeting family members needs is why it’s universal.
What are Parsons 2 Irreducible Functions
> Primary Socialisation
> SOAP
Explain Parsons idea of Primary Socialisation
Equips next-gen with basic skills and values, to help them integrate within society and co-operate with others.
Explain Parsons Idea of SOAP and the Warm Bath Theory?
> Emotional security achieved in marital relationship, working life’s stressful, so male breadwinner can come home and be ‘de-stressed’ by his wife.
> Releases tensions, so he can return to work aiding the economy.
Explain Parsons Segregated Division of Labour
> Male Breadwinner
Female Housewife
- Gender Division of Labour is biologically based e.g. women give birth so are suited to expressive role.
Explain Parsons Functional Fit
> Structure of family changes as needs of society change.
> EF was multifunctional, unit of production and consumption performing variety of functions
> NF fits complex modern society through Geographical and Social Mobility.
> No need for EF functions, e.g. health and education now carried out by state e.g. NHS
Explain how the NF performs the function of Geographical Mobility in relation to Parsons Functional Fit
Easier for NF to move to where jobs are, harder with an extended family.
Explain how the NF performs the function of Social Mobility in relation to Parsons Functional Fit
> Status is achieved not ascribed, sons can achieve higher status than fathers.
> Breaking away to set up own NF, removes status conflict that would’ve occured if they stayed.
Explain Steel and Kidd’s view on how the Family provides Stress Relief
> Family provides stress relief, providing a safe haven.
> Adults can out childish dimension of personality, playing with their kids toys
> Acts as safety valve preventing stress overwhelming adults
> Maintaining social stability.
A03 Functionalist Key Sociologists
> Ansley (Exploitation of Women)
Briefly outline all the Criticisms of the Functionalist view on the Family?
> Outdated > Ansley > Benefiting Powerful Groups > Downplay Conflict > Socially Constructed
Explain how the Functionalist View of the Family is Outdated?
- Assumes NF is still dominant, ignores ability of other family types e.g. SSC, Reconstituted to perform essential functions.
- Women now go to work and segregated gender roles not as applicable today.
Explain how Ansley criticises Parsons Warm Bath Theory?
- States women are takers of shit, opposing Parsons Warm Bath Theory
- Men may get their stress relieved, but only by dumping it on their wives.
Explain the Benefiting Powerful Groups disadvantage of the Functionalist View?
- Does functions of family really benefit whole of society or just powerful groups?
Explain how the Functionalist view of the Family Downplays Conflict
- Present rosy view of family, see it as harmonious.
- Ignore dark side of family e.g. DV and child abuse.
Explain how Parsons view on the Segregated Division of Labour is Socially Constructed?
- Gender Roles not biological, but socially constructed, varies between cultures and societies.
A03 Parsons Functional Fit Key Sociologists
> Young and Wilmott
> Laslett
Explain how Young and Wilmott criticise Parsons Functional Fit
- Extended Kin networks still strong in East London as in 70’s
Explain how Laslett criticise Parsons Functional Fit
- Family was already nuclear before industrialisation.
Marxists Roles of Family Key Sociologists
> Engels (Inheritance of Property) > Althusser (Socialisation) > Zaretsky (Cushioning Effect) > Zaretsky (Unit of Consumption) > Zaretsky (Ideological Functions)
What is the General Marxist view of the Family
Marx believe family is a tool of capitalism and main function is to maintain capitalism, reinforcing social inequalities.
Explain Althusser’s Idea on how the Family aids capitalism through Socialisation?
- Family focal point in socialisation process.
- Socialising next generation into ruling class ideology and unequal social hierarchy
- Maintains capitalism ensuring next generation sees ruling class ideology as normal.
Explain Engel’s Idea on how the Family aids capitalism through Inheritance?
- Isolated NF means wealthy men can confirm a child is there’s pass down private property to sons who inherit it.
- Ensuring wealth stays within private NF, rather being distributed among society.
- Cycle continues reproducing inequality and maintaining capitalism.
- Women used as mere instruments for reproduction of children, as only monogamous NF can ensure this.
Explain Zaretsky’s Idea on the Family maintains Capitalism by Acting as a Unit of Consumption
- Family play vital role in generating profits for bourgesoie.
- Workers payed less than amount charged for products they create
- Advertising urges family to keep up with all latest products
- Media target Children who use pester power to make parents spend more
- Children who lack the latest clothes or gadgets are mocked by peers
Explain Zaretsky’s Idea on how the Family aids capitalism through Ideological Functions?
- Socialises ppl to accept capitalist system as fair, natural and unchangeable.
- Hierarchy in families teaches kids to accept there’ll always be someone in “authority” who they must obey, mirrors hierarchy of boss-workers.