Sociological perspectives on the family Flashcards
what does murdock (1949) describe as a nuclear family ?
’ a social group living together which includes adults of both sexes, at least two who are in a society approved relationship, and one or more children, their own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults ‘
what are the 4 functions of the nuclear family according to murdock (1949)?
- reproduction
- sexual
- educational
- economic
reproduction:
- society needs new members to survive
- people genuinely have children when married or committed to another person, symbolising their emotional commitment and stabilizing their love.
sexual :
- sex within marriage contributes to social order and stability
- regulates sexual behaviour by satisfying sexual needs.
- it bonds a couple, encouraging faithfulness and commitment to family life.
Educational :
- primary socialisation, parents socialise children.
- Murdock argues that parents must teach their children values, norms, customs, traditions and rituals e.g avoiding offensive language
Economic:
- parents must provide for their children, so they become productive workers.
Evaluating murdock 1949
- his definition of the nuclear family is outdated and ethnocentric . it also states that there is a ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ way to organise the family.
- Sex outside and inside of marriage is now normal due to relaxation in social and religious attitudes. so the idea that the nuclear family preforms sexual functions is outdated.
- there is concerns that the family does not really socialise children as effectively as it did in the past.
what is an extended family ?
- often owned, lived and worked on the same plot of land.
- worked together to provide food and shelter for the family.
- the family gave children the basic skills they needed to take on their role within the family.
- everyone responsible for caring for children/ elderly.
what effect did industrialisation have on the family
- more people moved into urban areas as that was where factories were built (needed to move in order to get work)
- mother father and children would move away from extended family (nuclear family)
- earning wages so cant produce their own food and shelter.
- rely on businesses and the state to provide services like childcare/education and caring for the elderly
what are parsons (1951) functions of the family?
- primary socialisation of children
- stabilization of the adult personality
what is the primary socialisation of children ?
- parsons sees the nuclear family as a personality factory - which molds children into responsible citizens .
- he believes children’s personalities are made not born
- any child could turn out well if they are socialised well.
stabilisation of adult personalities
- the nuclear family acts like a ‘warm bath’
- it soothes and relaxes the mind and body after a day of work and stress.
- steal and kid (2001)- home is where you can ‘let yourself go ‘
- stabilizes the family because it gives men and women roles.
- husband = economic welfare and protection
- wife = emotional care and socialization of children
what is the warm bath theory?
The nuclear family acts like a warm bath to soothe and relax the mind after a stressful day at work.
Criticism by marxists
families performs a role not for everyone in society, but for capitalism and the ruling class (the bourgeoisie).
According to Engels(marxist), how does the family help capitalism and the ruling class?
criticism of functionalists
nuclear family only became popular after the industrial revolution because it was encouraged by the ruling class (it confirmed legitimacy for the ruling class to ensure their wealth was kept thin the family)
