Sociological Perspectives On the Family

Question 1

What are Murdock year did Murdock come up with his argument?

Answer 1

1994

Question 2

What are Murdock (1994) essential functions? With brief explanation

Answer 2

• Stabilse the sex drive-prevents social distruption from free-for-alls
• Reproduction of the next generation
• Socialising of the young- into shared norms and values
• Meet members’ economic needs (food and shelter)

Question 3

Why does Murdock (1994) argue that these functions are important?

Answer 3

These functions meet society’s and its members needs

Question 4

What family structure does Murdock (1994) say performs the essential functions the best?

Answer 4

Nuclear Family

Question 5

What are criticisms or Murdock (1994)?

Answer 5

• Functions can be done by other institutions or non-nuclear families
• Rose tinted and overly harminous-Feminists say the family benefits men and exploits women and Marxists say the family meets capitalisms needs not its members or society

Question 6

What year does Parsons come up with his theory?

Answer 6

1955

Question 7

What is Parson’s (1955) theory called?

Answer 7

The functional fit theory

Question 8

What is Parson’s (1955) functional fit theory?

Answer 8

Family functions and structure depends on the type of society they’re in

Question 9

What would Parson (1955) argue is the type of society the different family structures are meant to be in and why?

Answer 9

• Nuclear family-Parents and dependant children fit the modern society
• Extended family- 3 generations under one roof, fits the pre-industrial society

Question 10

What are the 2 industrial society functions that the nuclear family fulfil in the nuclear family?

Answer 10

• Socially mobile workforce- society is constantly evolving, so workforces need to be technically skilled and competent- someone’s status in the force depends on talent/ability, not ascribed status based on family
• Geographically mobile workforce- industries rise/decline in different areas or overseas, so people move a lot for work. Parsons says the nuclear family is easier to move around and therefore fulfils this function better than the extended family.

Question 11

Why is the nuclear family better in the industrial society?

Answer 11

Parsons- nuclear family fulfils this function better because
extended families have sons at home (father has higher
status), even though at work they are above him. This causes
tensions- the nuclear family fixes as sons move out and form
their own socially mobile family.

Question 12

Why does Parsons (1955) argue that in the pre-industrial society the extended family loses some of its functions and goes from the extended family to the nuclear family?

Answer 12

The Pre-Industrial family were multi-functional both units of production (working together on the farm) and units of consumption (feeding/clothing members) but society changes from extended to nuclear family as society loses its functions and just becomes a unit of consumptions and other schools such as schools and health service take over

Question 13

What does Parsons (1955) argue the nuclear family specialises in two essential functions in the industrial society?

Answer 13

the nuclear family specialises in 2 essential functions- Primary socialisation of children (skills, society’s values, etc).**

Question 14

What are pre-industrial families?

Answer 14

Units of production (working together on a family farm) and units of consumption (feeding/clothing members)

Question 15

What replaces the loss of functions of the extended family does Parsons and what function does the nuclear family have instead?

Answer 15

Other institutions like schools and the health service take over so it just becomes a unit of consumption

Question 16

What Marxist sociologist talks about the inheritance of property?

Answer 16

Engles

Question 17

What does Engles say about the inheritance of property?

Answer 17

A class of men gained control of the means of production bringing about the means of production which brought about the monogamous nuclear family which is essential as it means that men can securely let their sons inherit property meaning that the women are just mere instruments of reproduction

Question 18

What is the Marxist view of the family have the function of being a unit of consumption?
And in what 3 way does this take place?

Answer 18

The family has a role in making capitalism profit
This is done through:
* Keeping up with the Joneses- encourage families to consume the latest products
* Media targets children who use their ‘pester power’ to make parents spend more
* Children without the latest products are mocked/stigmatised by peers