theories of the family Flashcards
what are the four essential functions of the family according to this sociologist
murdocks four functions
stable satisfaction of the sex drive - prevents social disruption of divorces (nuclear family is best)
reproduction of the next generation - so society can continue
socialisation do the young - prepare for labour
meeting economic needs - food + shelter
what is a criticism of Murdock
the functions can be performed equally well by other institutions or other family types other than the nuclear family
why do Marxists and feminists criticise Murdock
the nuclear family meets the needs of capitalism, not the individual members of the family
feminists - served the needs of men + oppressed women
what is parsons functional fit theory of the family
the functions that family performs depend on society which it is found
nuclear family fits the needs of industrial society and extended family meets needs of pre- industrial society
britain’s industrialisation from late 18tj century meant that nuclear family emerges
the two needs of industrial society according to Parsons
-a geographically mobile workforce - pre industrial families spent life’s in village farming,helping each-other now we move for job opportunities easier to do with small family
socially mobile workforce- modern industrial society based on evolving science + technology
so it needs skilled workers achieved through meritocracy
at work in the if son had higher status tensions would rise so son needs to be married off encourages socially mobility + geographic mobility
what are the loss of functions and why did they happen
ore industrialised society was a multi- functional fit. many family members could support other family members e.g feeding + clothing.+ meeting social needs
family lost most of functions due to other institutions of school, health service
what are the two essential functions of family according to parsons
primary socialisation of children- equip them with basic skills + societies values to be able to integrate them into society
stabilisation of adult personalities - family is place where father can relax + release tensions so they are refreshed ready to meet demands of economy
what was the earliest classless society and when did Engles call them
Marx called the first classless society primitive communism
Engle’s - the promiscuous horde, there was no restrictions of sexual relations
how did private property bring patriarchal monogamous relationships according to this sociologist
Engels - men had to be sure of paternity of child as to ensure the child is the legitimate heir
how was female sexuality brought under male control by the involvement of private property
male had to be sure of paternity.
women turned into mere instrument for the production of children
how does the family support capitalism through ideological functions
socialising children into the idea of hierarchy and that inequality is inevitable
parental power teaches them that there will always be someone in charge so they accept orders of capitalist employees
how does the family form a haven from the harsh exploitative world according to this sociologist
Zaretsky - family forms haven from harsh exploitative capitalistic society
workers can be themselves + have private life but family does not meet its members needs e.g domestic servitute of women
how does the family support the capitalistic society by the unit of consumption
capitalism explains labour of workers, making profit by selling
advertisers right families to consume latest products
media targets children. pester power to persuade patients to spend more
children who lack latest clothes are stigmatised
what is a ciriticism of the marxist perspective of family
marxism assumes that the nuclear family is dominant in capitalistic society. ignored the diversity of other structures
why do feminists criticise the Marxists perspective of the family
Marxists emphasis on class + capitalism underestimates importance of gender inequalities in family
family meets needs of men, not capitalism
why do functionalists criticise Marxists
Marxists ignore the benefit of family e.g 4 functions of family
what is the liberal feminist view of the family
women oppression gradually getting better through changing attitudes + legislation
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
why do other feminists criticise liberal feminism
liberal feminists fail to challenge underlying causes of women’s oppression + believing that attitudes are enough for equality
marxist + radical feminists
what is the main cause of oppression in the family according to marxist feminism
oppression source is not men but capitalism
how are women exploited in the family to meet the needs of capitalism
-women reproduce labour force - by socialising next gen, unpaid labour + maintaining current one
women absorb anger - Ansley women are takers of shit who soak up frustration of husb- DV explanation
women are reserve army of cheap labour - women take extra hours, when no longer needed employers let them go to return to primary role of unpaid domestic labour
what is the radical feminist view of the family
men = enemy
family + marriage are key institutions in patriarchal society men benefit from women’s unpaid labour + dominate women through domestic + sexual violence
what is the only way of women being able to overturn the oppression of men
separatism. women should learn how to live independently from men
greer
female mateo local households as an alternative to the heterosexual family
why are who criticised radical feminists
liberal feminist Somerville criticise for failing to recognise the increase in equality in women job opportunities, fertility control, cohabiting
