SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF THE FAMILY Flashcards

Question

MARXISM What is the marxist perspective on the family? include theorists

Answer 1

Engels (1884) argues that the modern nuclear family developed in a capitalist society. E.g. the monogamous family provided the answers for things such as how property could be passed directly to heirs. This gave men greater control over women. Within a nuclear family a man could be fairly sure he had legitimate children with clear rights to inherit his wealth. Althusser (1979) – the family is an ideological apparatus which brainwashes people into accepting and taking on capitalist norms and values Zaretsky(1976) the family acts as a unit of consumption of capitalist goods. Keeps families trapped in the exploitative capitalist system.

Answer 2

It’s too deterministic – it assumes people passively accept socialisation and family life, and that the future is pre-determined. There are plenty of families who reject the consumerist lifestyle and many families bring their children up to be independent thinkers. ignores family diversity in capitalist society, the nuclear family is no longer the main type of family. In fact, family breakdown may be better for Capitalism – as divorce is expensive and more money has to be spent on maintaining family relationships and later on forming new families. Feminists argue it downplays the role of patriarchy, which is the real source of female oppression. Marxism ignores the benefits of nuclear family e.g. both parents support the children. The New Right point out that this is the most functional type of environment in which to raise children, and the nuclear family is found in most societies around the world, suggesting it is something people choose.

Answer 3

Feminism: A patriarchal model of society - argue that in society men have the power and that culture is male dominated Patriarchy: Families are male dominated in that men are in positions of power and control Gender is a social Construction: social and cultural expectations of what is masculine and feminine Gender Role Socialisation: process whereby boys and girls are bought up with different roles and expectations starts in the family Triple shift/burden: Feminist idea that working mothers still carry out most domestic and emotional duties within the home

Answer 4

Family life and relationships have become more equal and fair because of political and legal equality for women Women now have economic dependence so no longer rely on men for financial support - no longer have to in empty shell marriages Women therefore have greater choices and more power in the family

Answer 5

Family supports capitalism because women perform unpaid work within the home Housewives help reproduce labour power - getting husbands ready for work at no cost to the capitalists Family promotes the values of capitalism – work hard, be obedient etc…

Answer 6

Family leads to control and oppression of women by men, for example domestic abuse and violence Women perform domestic and emotion work Working women have a triple burden - paid work / emotion work / domestic work

Answer 7

Must acknowledge that the experiences of women are different - cannot generalise Women have greater choices Masculinity and femininity and now blurred

Answer 8

Experiences of black ethnic minority women were largely ignored by Feminism Ethnicity means that family experiences and relationships vary Some Ethnic cultures have matriarchal families

Answer 9

Functionalist and Marxists

Answer 10

- Nuc fam has lost its significance as fewer ppl get married and have kids - UK and society today now has diverse types of family - Looks at the family from a 'bottom up' perspective

Answer 11

Lib Fems Difference Feminists argue that Liberal Feminism is an ethnocentric view – it reflects the experiences of mainly white, middle class women. Marx Fems One limitation is that this sounds very dated for the 2020s: women today are just as likely to be in paid work as men, and so they no longer act as a ‘reserve army of labour’ for example. Radical Fems women are much less likely to suffer from the dual burden and triple shift, for example

Answer 12

1) Too broad of a view, they ignore what is special about blood and marriage relationships. 2) It recognises that relatedness isn't always positive, for example someone may be trapped in a violent relationship where they cant leave due to being related.

Answer 13

CALHOUN (1997) PEOPLE LESS TIED TO KINSHIP NETWORKS AND FAMILIES NOW MORE A MATTER OF CHOICE DUE TO INCREASE IN INDIVIDUALISM