Theories

Question 1

Murdock

Answer 1

The family preforms 4 essential functions to meet needs of society and its members:
. stable satisification of the sex drive
. reproduction of the next generation
. socialisation of the young
. meeting its members economic needs

Question 2

Parsons (function fit theory)

Answer 2

Distinguishes between 2 types of family structure:
nuclear and extended

Nuclear family best fits industrial society, extended family best fits pre-industrial

Question 3

Parsons (Functions)

Answer 3

Family preforms 2 ‘irreducible functions’:
- primary socialisation of children
- stabilisation of adult personalities
^ Warm bath theory

Question 4

Zaretsky

Answer 4

Family offers an apparent ‘haven’ from the harsh and exploitive world of capitalism outside
^ Argues this is largely an illusion

Question 5

Liberal Feminists

Answer 5

Argue womens oppression is being gradually overcome through changing attitudes - don’t believe full gender equality has been achieved

Question 6

Marxist Feminists

Answer 6

Womens oppression preforms serveral functions for capitalism:
- women reproduce labour force
- women absorb anger
- women are a reserve army for cheap labour

Question 7

Radical feminists

Answer 7

Argue all societies have been founded on patriarchy

Question 8

Greer

Answer 8

Argues for the creation of all female or ‘matriocal’ households rather than the heterosexual family

Question 9

Somerville

Answer 9

Liberal feminist argue radical feminists fail to recognise that womens position has improved considerably

Question 10

What are the 3 functions the family does just for capitalism in the marxist view ?

Answer 10

1. Inheritance of property
2. Ideological functions
   
   • socialising children to accept
     hierarchies
   • (Zaretsky)
3. Unit of Consumption

Question 11

What 2 weaknesses do structural perspectives suffer from according to the personal life perspective ?

Answer 11

. Assume nuclear family is the dominant family type
. Assume that families and their members are passive puppets manipulated by the structure of society

Question 12

What does the personal life perspective argue ?

Answer 12

Takes a wider view of relationships based on blood or marriage ties. Attention to other relationships that may not be classed as family

Question 13

Nordqvist and Smart

Answer 13

researched donor - conceived children and found the issues of blood and genes raised feelings. Some parents emphasised social relationships over genetic ones in forming family bonds
^ helps understand how people construct and define their relationship as family

Question 14

Difference Feminists

Answer 14

Argue we cannot generalise about womens experiences