Roles of the Family - 2.1 Flashcards
Functionalism Roles of Family (KS)
> Parsons (2 Irreducible Functions, SDOL, FF, OA)
Steel & Kid (Stress Relief)
Murdock (4 Functions of Family & Benefits)
Parsons - Organic Analogy
> Bodies a system made up of diff parts e.g. organs dependent - 1 breaks down - problematic
> Likewise, Societies, made up of structures e.g. education, state etc.
> Family meets needs of e.g. economy & SOAP
Murdock (4 Functions of Family)
> Sexual Function
Reproductive Function
Primary Socialisation
Economic Function
Sexual Function
> Stable Satisfaction of sex drive, w/ = marital partner
> Stops sexual jealousy & disruption from sexual free for all.
Reproduction Function
Otherwise society can’t continue.
Primary Socialisation
Basic norms & values so new members integrate into society.
Economic Function
Meets members eco needs e.g. food & shelter
Benefit of 4 Functions of Family (Murdock)
> Maintains SS
> Efficiency explains why it’s universal.
Parsons (2 Irreducible Functions)
> Primary Socialisation
> SOAP
Parsons idea of Primary Socialisation
= as Murdock
SOAP & Warm Bath Theory (Parsons)
> Emotional security in relationship, life’s stressful, so breadwinner ‘de-stressed’ by his wife.
> Relieves tensions, can go back 2 work aiding eco
Parsons (FF-functionalist fit theory)
> Extended Family multifunctional, unit of production/consumption
> Nuclear Family fits complex modern society e.g. geo & social Mobility.
> EF functions now carried out by state e.g. NHS
Geographical Mobility (FF) - Parsons
Easier for NF to move to where jobs are, harder w/ EF
Social Mobility (FF) - Parsons
> Status achieved not ascribed, sons can get + status > fathers.
> Set up own NF due to status conflict if they stayed.
Steel and Kid (Stress Relief)
> Safe haven, adults act out childish personality, playing w/ kids toys
> Safety valve so stress don’t overwhelm them, maintains SS
Criticisms of Functionalism
> Outdated > Ansley > Benefiting Powerful Groups > Downplay Conflict > Socially Constructed
OABDS
Outdated? - Criticisms of Functionalism
> Ignores FD & ability of alt 2 do = functions
> Gender roles changed
Benefiting Powerful Groups - Criticisms of Functionalism
> Not society, but powerful groups
Downplay Conflict - Criticisms of Functionalism
Ignores e.g. DV & child abuse.
Socially Constructed - - Criticisms of Functionalism
> Varies vs cultures & societies.
A03 Parsons FF (KS)
> Young & Wilmott
> Laslett
Young & Wilmott - A03 Parsons FF
EF networks still strong in East London in 70’s
Laslett - A03 Parsons FF
Family nuclear b4 industrialisation.
Marxism (KS)
> Engels (Inheritance of Property)
Althusser (Socialisation)
Zaretsky (Cushioning Effect, Unit of Consumption, Ideological Functions)
Marxist view of the Family
> Tool of capitalism reinforces inequalities.
Althusser (Socialisation)
> Socialising next gen into UC ideology & unequal social hierarchy
> Ensures they see it as natural, fair & unchangeable
Engels (Inheritance of Property)
> Rich M pass private property to sons who inherit it.
> So wealth stays in private NF not distributed among society.
> So reproduces inequality, F instruments for kids as only NF ensures this.
Zaretsky (Unit of Consumption)
> Generating profits 4 UC, workers payed less > price of products
> Advertising us to have latest products, kids use pester power
> Kids lacking gadgets mocked
Zaretsky (Ideological Functions)
- Socialises us to see capitalist as fair, natural & unchangeable.
> Hierarchy in family teaches symbolise hierarchy in workplace we must conform
Zaretsky (Cushioning Effect)
> Safe haven from capitalist world, allows M to feel in control can’t feel this workplace
> WC forget oppression starting revolution.
General Criticisms of Marxism
> Ignores Family Diversity
Deterministic
Engels View not applicable in Modern Society
Ignores Family Diversity - General Criticisms of Marxism
> Only focus on NF, ignores others
Deterministic - General Criticisms of Marxism
> Ppl aren’t just passive puppets
> Some families reject consumerist lifestyle bringing up kids to be independent thinkers.
Engels View not being applicable in Modern Society - General Criticisms of Marxism
People don’t marry to pass on wealth to kids but love
Feminism (KS)
> Lib Fem (MOPV)
> Somerville (Lib Fem) (Improvement)
> Marx-Fem (Role of Capitalism)
> Ansley (Marx Fem) (Absorbing M Anger)
> Benston (Marx Fem) (Reserve Army of Labour)
> Rad Fem (M as Enemy)
> Diff Fem (Not all F have = exp)
Lib Fem (MOPV)
> How things better 4 F but - changes still needed
Somerville (Lib Fem) (Improvement)
> F role improved + access to divorce, control > fertility & breaking GCC.
Criticisms of Lib Fem
> Overgeneralisation of White MC F
> Attitudes not changed despite legal reform
> TS
General Marx Fem view
> Focus on capitalism, priv property & lack of control > production = exploitation
Marx Fem 3 Areas of Exploitation
> Women reproduce labour force
Absorbing M Anger
Reserve Army of Cheap Labour
Women reproduce labour force (Marx Fem)
> Unpaid work stops family disintegrating benefits UC
> Socialise next-gen, servicing current
Ansley (Marx Fem) (Absorbing Men’s Anger)
> F takers of sh*t absorbing anger of WC husband should be directed to capitalist employers e.g. DV.
Benston (Marx Fem) (Reserve Army of Labour)
- Took on temporarily, due to need for + workers, employers + rate of exploitation, so production + flexible
> Just return to dom role after
Marx Fem solution to F problems
> Abolishment of capitialism & patriarchal family
Criticisms of Marx Fem
> F still inferior in non-capitalist areas.
> F exploitation didn’t start w/capitalism.
Rad Fem on Causes of F exploitation
> Patriarchal Family, M benefit from F TS, dominated w/DV
> M&F relations ‘‘sleeping w/enemy’’ - need 4 political lesbianism
A03 Rad Fem (KS)
> Somerville (Exaggerated)
Somerville (Exaggerated)
> Exaggerated, political lesbianism unrealistic due to
biological attraction
> DV suffered by M
Diff Fem view on Family
> F exp ungeneralisable due to diff ethnicities, class, sexualities
> White F neglect black girls experience of racism.
> e.g. Black feminists see family as source of support for racism
Criticisms of Diff Fem
> Do share = exp DV, Low Pay, Sexual Assault etc.
PLP (KS)
> Smart & Tiper
> Nordqvist (Donor-Conceived Children)
PLP - General View
> Interactionist View, criticises Functionalism & Marxism
> e.g. Ignore FD, family members not puppets
> e.g. manipulated to serve needs of capitalism
5 Types of Relationship - Smart & Tiper
> 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 (Tiper): Kids saw pets ‘part of family’.
Nordqvist (Donor-Conceived Children)
> Social relationship > over biological. e.g. def of mum linked w/ raising kid, not childbirth
> If Couples knew donor, had to resolve if they were family.
> Lesbians concerned donor, may be treated as real 2nd parent.
PLP’s view on effects of Decline of NF
> Less ppl w/ kids/marriage + living alone
> Stability NF’s exaggerated + rate of family breakdown.
> Can still have meaningful relationships, but not fully free
Criticisms of PLP
> Broad view, incl. range of alt relationships ignore special about blood/marital relations
