Summarised Flashcards
What are the key functions of the family according to Functionalists?
- Primary Socialization (children learn societal norms and values).
- Stabilization of Adult Personalities (provides emotional support for adults, Parson’s “warm bath” theory).
What are George Murdock’s four essential functions of the family?
- Sexual (regulation of sexual behavior).
- Reproductive (ensures the continuation of society)
- Educational (teaches children societal norms).
- Economic (provides for family members’ material needs).
What are Talcott Parsons’ two essential functions of the family?
- Primary Socialization (children learn norms and values).
- Stabilization of Adult Personalities (the family acts as a “warm bath” for emotional support).
What is the Marxist view on the family?
- The family supports capitalism by maintaining class inequality.
- It serves the interests of the bourgeoisie (wealthy class) by ensuring inheritance of property and reinforcing gender roles.
How does Friedrich Engels view the family in relation to capitalism?
The family evolved to ensure the inheritance of private property, thus reinforcing class inequality.
What is Eli Zaretsky’s perspective on the family’s role in capitalism?
The family provides emotional support to workers, helping them cope with the exploitation they experience in the workforce.
What do Feminists argue about the family?
- The family is a patriarchal institution that perpetuates gender inequality and exploits women’s labor (both paid and unpaid).
What did Ann Oakley say about gender roles in the family?
- Housework is largely the responsibility of women, contributing to a gendered division of labor in the family.
What is Fran Ansley’s view on women in the family?
- She described women as “takers of shit,” absorbing their husbands’ frustrations from capitalist exploitation.
What does Germaine Greer argue about traditional family structures?
Traditional family structures oppress women and reinforce patriarchal values.
What are the five types of family diversity identified by Rapoports?
- Organisational Diversity (differences in family structure).
- Cultural Diversity (differences based on cultural backgrounds).
- Social Class Diversity (variations in family life based on social class).
- Life-Stage Diversity (different family structures at various life stages).
- Generational Diversity (differences across generations).
What does Judith Stacey argue about family diversity?
- Family structures have become more diverse and reflect individual choices in a postmodern society.
What concept did Beck and Beck-Gernsheim introduce to explain changing family patterns?
- Individualization – the rise in divorce and decline in marriage as individuals prioritize personal needs over traditional roles.
What does Philippe Ariès argue about childhood?
Childhood is a social construct, and the experience of childhood has changed significantly over time.
Front: What is Jane Pilcher’s perspective on childhood?
- Childhood is a distinct and separate stage of life, emphasized by societal focus on the innocence and dependency of children.
