Sociological perspectives Flashcards

1
Q

What is the functionalist perspective

A

Consensus theory that emphasises integration and harmony between different parts of society

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2
Q

Murdock’s 4 main functions

A

1.Sexual
2.Reproduction
3.Socialisation
4.Economic

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3
Q

Criticisms of Murdock

A

-They could be performed equally well by other institutions or non-nuclear family structures
-Feminists reject the view and say that it serves the needs of men
-Marxists say it meets the needs of capitalism

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4
Q

What are Parsons 2 basic functions of the family

A

1.Primary socialisation of children
2.Stabilization of human personalities (men have instrumental role and women have an expressive role)

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5
Q

Criticisms of Parsons

A

-Young and Wilmott argue that men now take on a greater share of domestic tasks
-Feminists reject the view because the division of labour is natural

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6
Q

Reasons for the decline in extended family life

A

-Need for geographical mobility
-Growth in peoples wealth
-Growth of meritocracy
-Different occupations, incomes and lifestyles

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7
Q

Young and Wilmott- symmetrical family

A

They argue that the extended family unit only went into decline in the 1960s as a result of social changes

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8
Q

Criticisms of the functionalist perspective

A

-Downplaying conflict- Baby P
-Out of date- very old fashioned
-Ignoring the exploitation of women- Women suffer from the sexual division of labour

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9
Q

What does the New Right support

A

Values and institutions

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10
Q

Brenda Almond

A

Sees social changes as undermining the nuclear family. They say that it also undermines social stability as well

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11
Q

Murray and Marsland

A

Welfare state has undermined personal responsibility

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12
Q

What does the New Right argue

A

For a return to traditional family values with government policies that reverse the decline in traditional family unit

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13
Q

Criticisms of New Right

A

-Assumes patriarchal model of nuclear family is ‘natural’ rather than socially constructed
-Its rosy view of what family life is like ignoring the darker side

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14
Q

What does the Marxist perspective argue

A

Structural perspective on the family
Sees the family within the framework of a capitalist society

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15
Q

Engles

A

Passing property to heirs as it provides proof of the paternity
-Saw women’s position in the family as like prostitutes

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16
Q

Althusser

A

Capitalisms survival depended on the w/c submitting to the m/c

17
Q

Zaretsky

A

Capitalism is an escape route from exploitation and oppression at work

18
Q

Criticisms of Marxism

A

-Question the notion that the nuclear family is always good for society
-Old fashioned
-Functionalists argue that Marxists ignore the very real benefits that the family provide its members

19
Q

Foucault

A

Surveillance

20
Q

What is the feminist perspective

A

Emphasises the harmful effects of family life upon women and the role of the family

21
Q

Radical feminists

A

Focus upon the problem of patriarchy in society and in the family

22
Q

Greer (2007)

A

Many relationships between men and women in all spheres of life remain patriarchal and exploitative

23
Q

Hilary Land

A

Argues that many social policies assume the ideal family is the nuclear family

24
Q

Firestone

A

Women should use new technologies like IVF to exclude men from child bearing and child rearing

25
Marxist feminists
See women as doubly exploited both as workers and as women
26
What are the 2 ways Marxist feminists see the family
1.The social reproduction of labour power 2.Social control of the working class
27
Safety valve
A release from frustration and lack of power or control
28
Criticisms of Marxist feminists and radical feminists
-Women's roles aren't the same in all families -Assumes that women are passive victims without choice -More women are working -Rise of the symmetrical family
29
What do liberal feminists say
They don't see gender inequality in the family as the product of a system or structure like Marxists
30
Oakley
See gender inequality as simply a product of discrimination by individuals who run institutions
31
Criticism of liberal feminists
-The don't tackle the fundamental inequalities that women face due to patriarchy and capitalism -Cosy middle class view of family life
32
What do difference feminists say
We cant generalise about women's experiences and they argue that lesbian and heterosexual women, white and black women, m/c and w/c women have different experiences of the family
33
What do postmodernists say
Contemporary society is changing rapidly -No longer constrained to social structures -Rejecting ideas about the traditional family -Society has become fragmented
34
Giddens (Need based family)
No family stays in the same structure or divisions they change as circumstances change
35
Ulrich Beck (the negotiated family)
The roles and power structures within the family is negotiated by members to satisfy all members
36
Fictive kin
Close friends treated as relatives
37
Criticisms of the postmodernist theory
-Social structures still have power as can be seen by the cereal packet family -Connectedness theory -Recognises that relatedness may not always be positive