theories of family Flashcards
what type of perspective do functionalists have
a consensus perspective
what type of perspective do Marxism have
a class conflict perspective
what type of perspective do feminists have
a gender conflict perspective
what do functionalists believe about the family
functionalists believe that society is based on value consensus which society socialises into it members
value consensus
a set of shared norms and values
what do functionalists compare society to
biological organism like the human body because it is made of different parts that depend on each other each is vital to the well being of it’s members
what needs do functionalists believe the family meets
essential needs such as the need to socialise children
what four functions does Murdock believe the family performs for society to work harmoniously
- satisfaction of sex drive: prevents social disruption of “free for all”
- reproduction without this society wouldn’t continue
- socialisation: of the young shared values and norms
- economic needs: food and shelter (societies needs)
criticisms of Murdock’s theory of the family
feminist reject this “rose-tinted” view of the family it neglects conflicts and exploitation, serving men and oppressing women
Marxists argue that it meets the needs of capitalism, not society as a whole.
what does Parsons suggest about the family
the functions that the family performs will depend on the kind of society which it is found
what two kinds of family structure does parsons identify
the nuclear family: parents and dependent children (industrial society)
extended family: three generations living under one roof
what family type does the modern industrial society fit
the nuclear family
what family type does the pre-industrial family fit
the extended family
what two essential needs does industrial society have
geographical mobile workforce-move where there is work
a socially mobile workforce- industrial society is based on evolving science and technology, requires a competent work force. Nuclear family is better for this
what is loss of functions
the family ceases to be a unit of production: work moves into factories and the family becomes a unit of consumption only. it loses most of it’s other functions to other institutions such as schools and the health service
what two essential functions does the nuclear family perform
socialisation of children-equip them with basic skills and values
stabilisation:
what is the Marxist perspective of the family
believe the functions of the family are performed purely for the benefit of the capitalist system.
what functions do Marxists see the family fulfilling for capitalism
inheritance of property: key factors of what shapes social institutions is made of production (who owns and controls forces e.g. raw, materials, land) wealth is linked to family
what does Engels suggest about the family
monogamy became essential for inheritance for inheritance of property. rise of the nuclear family represented a “world historical defeat of the female sex”
“primitive communism”
no private property, all members owned the means production. no family but a “primitive nude”-forces of production developed, wealth increase, private property developed
what do functionalists mean by the family performing key ideological functions for capitalism
ideology: a set of beliefs that justify inequalities and persuade people to accept a capitalist society
what way do functionalists believe the family performs key ideological functions for capitalism
family does this by socialising children into accepting hierarchy and inequality are inevitable
what does parental power accustom children to do (Marxists)
accustoms them to the idea that (a man) has to be in charge and accept orders from a man.
what functions does Zaretsky believe the family performs
family offers an apparent “haven” from the harsh world of capitalism, but it is an illusion e.g. exploitation of women
what does capitalism exploit
the labour of workers, makes profit by selling products for more than it costs to produce them
how does the family generate profits
- advertisers urge families to “keep up with the joneses” by buying all the latest presents
- media targets children who use “pester power”
- children who lack “latest” clothes gadgets, mocked by peers
criticism for marxist perspective of the family
ignores wider family structures and assumes the nuclear family is dominant
feminists: family serve the interest of men, not capitalism, more gender inequalities than class inequalities
what do feminists suggest about the family
the family oppresses women e.g. domestic division of labour/ domestic violence
what feminist believe is gender inequality created by
society
what do liberal feminists campaign against
sex discrimination and equal pay rights
what do liberal feminists argue about
hold a similar view to the march of progress, gradual progress towards gender equality, overcome by laws and attitudes, but will need further reforms to reach full equality
what gradual progress do liberal feminists believe there is in the family
men are doing more domestic work, sons/daughters have more equal aspirations
criticisms of liberal feminists
failing to challenge the cause of women’s oppression and believing people’s attitudes will be enough to bring equality
what do Marxist feminists believe about the family
main cause of oppression in the family is not men, but capitalism
what functions does women’s oppression perform for capitalism
- women reproduce the labour force through unpaid labour and socialising the next generation of workers
- women absorb anger that would be directed at capitalism
- women are a reserved army of cheap labour when extra worker are needed
what does Ansley suggest women are
takers of sh*t who soak up frustrations of men
what do radical feminists suggest about society
all societies are ruled by men
what do radical feminists believe the key division of labour is between
men and women:
- men are the enemy and the source of women’s oppression
- men benefit from women’s unpaid labour and sexual services
what do feminists believe about the patriarchal system
patriarchal system needs to be overturned, family must be abolished. achieved through “separatism”-women live independently
what do radical feminists argue for
“political lesbianism” heterosexual relationships are oppressive because it involves “sleeping with the enemy”
criticisms of radical feminists
liberal feminists argue that radical feminists fail to recognise women’s positions have improved considerably e.g. job opportunities ‘
sommervile argues sexual attraction would make separation difficult
what do difference feminists argue
argue we cannot generalise about women’s opinions
what do difference feminists argue about different women’s experiences
lesbian, heterosexual women, white and black women have different experiences of the family
how do black feminist view the family
positively as a source of support
what two weaknesses do personal life perspective believe other theorists suffer from
- They assume that the traditional nuclear family is dominant
- they are all structural theorists. interactionist and postmodernist ignore the fact we have some “meanings” rather than the functions.
the sociology of personal life
this is a new perspective of families. it is influenced by interactionists ideas and argues in order to understand families, we must start from the point of view of the individual and the meanings they give to relationships
