THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE FAMILY TO SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND CHANGE

Question 1

4 things does Murdock argue family provides essential functions for society?

Answer 1

1. sexual
2. reproductive
3. education
4. economic

Question 2

what is an evaluation of Murdocks 4 theory?

Answer 2

for idealising the nuclear family and overlooking family diversity.

Question 3

what 2 functions does Parsons argue the family has?

Answer 3

1. primary socialisation
2. stabilisation of adult personalities.

Question 4

what is primary socialisation?

Answer 4

teaching children society’s values and norms.

Question 5

what is stabilisation of adult personalities?

Answer 5

the family serves as a refuge for adults, providing support.

Question 6

evaluation of parsons 2 theory?

Answer 6

overly simplistic and ignores diversity.

Question 7

what do conflict theorists say about the roles families perform?

Answer 7

do they actually benefit society or just benefit the powerful groups within it.

Question 8

what is the perspective that Charles Murray has called?

Answer 8

the new right perspective.

Question 9

what does murray argue?

Answer 9

that govt policies eg. welfare benefits have undermined the nuclear family.

Question 10

what has welfare dependency led to a rise in?

Answer 10

lone-parent families.

Question 11

evaluation of Murrays view?

Answer 11

he is blaming the poor for societal problems.

Question 12

what does Ann Oakley (feminist) argue the nuclear family is a site for?

Answer 12

a site for patriarchal oppression, where women are socialised into submissive roles.

Question 13

what three ways does Zaretsky argue that the family serves interests of capitalism?

Answer 13

1. reproducing the labour force
2. consuming capital goods
3. providing emotional support

Question 14

who does zaretsky take inspo from in his theory?

Answer 14

parsons’ warm bath theory.

Question 15

what does zaretsky argue the home is for men?

Answer 15

where men can control and be the boss - performed better at work bc they knew they could come home and control.

Question 16

evaluation of Zaretsky’s theory?

Answer 16

Zaretsky’s theory is criticised for focusing too much on the economic role.

Question 17

what does the marxist perspective see the family as?

Answer 17

as serving the interest of capitalism.

Question 18

2 ways in which the family serve capitalism?

Answer 18

1. socialising children into accepting their future roles as workers.
2. consuming products that fuel the economy.

Question 19

what did Engels argue about the family?

Answer 19

that the family had a clear economic function for capitalism by ensuring wealth remained in the hand of the bourgeoisie.

Question 20

what does Engels mean when he talks about generational wealth?

Answer 20

when rich people die it is their children who inherit their wealth - passing it down.

Question 21

evaluation of marxist perspective?

Answer 21

too focused on economic factors.

Question 22

what does the functionalist perspective see the family as?

Answer 22

a positive institution that contributes to the stability of society.

Question 23

2 ways the family contributes to the stability of society?

Answer 23

1. socialisation
2. emotional support

Question 24

evaluation of functionalist perspective?

Answer 24

tend to overlook family diversity and gender roles.

Question 25

what does the feminist perspective see the family as?

Answer 25

a key site of gender inequality.

Question 26

what does liberal feminism think about the family?

Answer 26

they focus on striving for legal equality between the sexes.

Question 27

what does radical feminism think about the family?

Answer 27

don't believe the changing law will ever be enough to end oppression towards women.

Question 28

what do marxist feminism think about the family?

Answer 28

families help to preserve both capitalism and patriarchy.

Question 29

what do radical (extreme) feminists argue that the family structure contributes to..?

Answer 29

domestic violence.

Question 30

what 2 ways are there gender inequalities in the family?

Answer 30

1. dual burden 2. unpaid labour - household chores

Question 31

evaluation of feminist perspective?

Answer 31

that they may overlook the positive aspects.

Question 32

feminist perspective on family may be ....?

Answer 32

outdated.

Question 33

what does the new right see as the cornerstone of society?

Answer 33

the nuclear family.

Question 34

what does Murray argue that government policies have done?

Answer 34

govt policies eg. welfare benefits have encouraged dependency and lone-parent families.

Question 35

what does murray argue teen girls see pregnancy as?

Answer 35

a route to financial support and housing.

Question 36

evaluation of new right perspective?

Answer 36

for blaming social problems on family diversity.

Question 37

what does the postmodernist perspective see the family as?

Answer 37

that people are characterised by diversity and choice - no longer one dominant structure.

Question 38

evaluation of the postmodernist perspective?

Answer 38

critiqued for overemphasising individual choice.

Question 39

what is the divorce act called?

Answer 39

the divorce reform act 1969.

Question 40

what did the divorce act do?

Answer 40

easier to divorce by introducing irretrievable breakdown.

Question 41

what is irretrievable breakdown?

Answer 41

unwilling to cohabit and no prospects for reconciliation.

Question 42

what was the impact of the divorce act?

Answer 42

challenge to nuclear family + positive impact for freedom.

Question 43

what is the same sex act called?

Answer 43

same sex couples act 2013.

Question 44

what was the impact of the same sex act?

Answer 44

increased diversity of family structures.

Question 45

what impact have adoption and childcare policies had?

Answer 45

growing support for diversity and changing role of women in workforce.

Question 46

what impact have the education and welfare policies had?

Answer 46

growing role of the state in supporting families.

Question 47

why have the education and welfare policies been criticised?

Answer 47

creating dependency.

Question 48

what impact have retirement and housing policies had?

Answer 48

can either help or make worse financial pressures.

Question 49

what have economic changes led to an increase in?

Answer 49

female employment and changes in gender roles.

Question 50

why was the child support agency set up (NR)?

Answer 50

to make father pay maintenance for their children + discourage infidelity.