Theories of the family Flashcards
The functionalist perspective on the family
Functionalists see the family as a Particularly important sub-system - a basic building block of society
Murdocks 4 functions
Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
Reproduction of the next generation
Socialisation of the young
Meeting its members economic needs
Criticisms of Murdock
Feminist - see the family as serving the needs of men and oppressing women
Marxist - Argue that it meets the needs of capitalism, not those of family members or society as a whole
Parsons ‘functional fit’ theory
A geographically mobile workforce
A socially mobile workforce
loss of functions
The primary socialisation of children
The stabilisation of adult personalities
Marxist perspective on the family
An institution to help maintain capitalism
Marxist functions of the family
Inheritance of property
Ideological functions
A unit of consumption
Feminist perspectives on the family
