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Sociology - Family > theories of the family > Flashcards

theories of the family Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

(FUNCTIONALISM) outline Functionalism as a theory

A
  • is a consensus theory - believes society works harmoniously
  • every social institution has a function and works together like a human body (organic anaology)
  • society is built on shared values (value consensus)
  • the family is a very important institution of society as its a basic building block for society
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2
Q

(FUNCTIONALISM) outline Murdocks 4 functions of the family

A

1) stable satisfaction of the sex drive: monogomously keeping both parents happy / their relationship strong
2) reproduction of the next generation: without which society could not survive
3) socialisation of the young: with the shared norms and values of society
4) meeting its members’ economic needs: such as food and shelter

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3
Q

(FUNCTIONALISM) what is an AO3 evaluation of Murdocks 4 family functions

A
  • Marxists and feminists: view the theory as ‘rose tinted’ as it ignores conflicts and inequalities within the family (e.g. oppression of women, meets the needs of capitalism - not individuals)
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4
Q

(FUNCTIONALISM) outline Parsons view of the family

A
  • the functions performed by the family depends on the type of society
  • there are 2 family structures: the nuclear family and the extended family
  • there are 2 types of societies: modern industrial (fits the needs of NFs) and traditional pre-industrial society (fits the needs of extended families)
  • traditional pre industrial society: families would spend their whole lives in one village working the same job that could be passed down through generations (agriculture)
  • modern industrial society: industries require people to move where the jobs are (a geographically + socially mobile work force is needed)
  • Parsons argues that the NF is better fit for modern society as its better suited for a mobile work force
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5
Q

(FUNCTIONALISM) what is an AO3 evaluation of Parson’s view of the family

A
  • Young and Willmott + Laslett: the nuclear family was the most common family type pre-industrialisation - was the extended family actually the most suited?
  • Y and W: industrialisation didnt give way to a nuclear family but more so a ‘mum-centred’ w/c nuclear family
  • the extended family hasn’t disappeared - and it still performs important functions (financial stability, childcare)
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6
Q

outline Parson’s idea of the family’s loss of functions

A
  • the pre-industrial family was multi functional; e.g. was both a unit of production (family members worked together) and a unit of consumption (fed + clothed its members)
  • when society industrialises, the fam changes its structure from extended to nuclear and loses many functions
  • thus, the nuclear fam performs 2 functions: primary socialisation of children and stabilisation of adult personalities
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7
Q

(FUNCTIONALISM) what are Parsons 2 family functions

A

1) the primary socialisation of children: equips them with basic skills + societies values to integrate them into society
2) the stabilisation of adult personalities: the family is a place where adults can relax / release tensions which allows them to return to the workplace refreshed and ready to meet the demands - its functional for efficiency of the economy

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8
Q

(MARXISM) outline Marxism as a theory

A
  • is a conflict theory
  • in capitalist society there is unequal conflict between the 2 classes (bourgeoisie and proletariat)
  • the B exploits the P for profit due to capitalism
  • all social institutions help for the continuity of capitalism, thus the function of family is purely for the benefit of capitalism
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9
Q

(MARXISM) outline how the inheritance of private property in families helps capitalism

A
  • the bourgeoisie owns and controls this mean of production (land, property, tools etc), putting them at an advantage
  • Engels: the rise of monogamous nuclear families was so that rich men could pass property onto sons (to solidify their legacy)
  • he thought the nuclear family turned the woman into ‘a mere instrument for the production of children’
  • only with the overthrow of capitalism + private ownership can women achieve liberation from patriarchal control
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10
Q

(MARXISM) outline how ideological functions in families helps capitalism

A
  • through socialisation, the set of ideas/ beliefs that justify inequality + maintain the capitalist system are continued
  • paternal power accustoms children to the idea that there always has to be someone in charge (usually a man) - preparing them for work life
  • Zaretsky: the family offers an apparent ‘haven’ from the harsh and exploitive world of capitalism in which workers can relax and be themselves. this is an illusion - the family cannot meet its members’ needs
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11
Q

(MARXISM) outline how being a unit of consumption in families helps capitalism

A
  • capitalism exploits the labour of workers, making profit by selling the products of their labour for more than they’re paid
  • the media encourages the family to consume all the latest products
  • the family is a prime consumer unit as the media targets children, who use ‘pester power’ to persuade their parents to spend more
  • children want the latest items
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12
Q

(MARXISM) what is an AO3 evaluation for the Marxist perspective on families

A
  • they tend to assume that the nuclear family is dominant in capitalist society - ignores the family diversity in modern society
  • feminists: the marxist emphasis on class inequalities in the family underestimates the importance of gender inequalities within the family - the family primarily serves the interests of men, not capitalism
  • functionalists: Marxists ignore the benefits that the family provides for it’s members
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13
Q

(FEMINISTS) outline Feminism as a theory

A
  • takes a conflict view of society in which it is patriarchal; men are dominant in all social spheres
  • men exploit women
  • social institutions - like the family - oppress women through unpaid labour, domestic violence
  • there are different types of feminism - radical, liberal, different, and Marxist
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14
Q

(FEMINISTS) outline the Liberal Feminist view

A
  • Lib fems argue that women’s oppression is being gradually overcome through peoples changing attitudes and law changes (e.g. sex discrimination act of 1975 - outlaws sex discrimination in employment)
  • we are moving toward equality, but full equality depends on further reforms and changes in attitudes from both sexes
  • in terms of the family, their view is similar to MoP theorists however they still think that the family is inequal, but there has been gradual progress; like men doing more domestic labour
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15
Q

(FEMINISTS) what is an AO3 evaluation of Liberal Feminist’s view

A
  • Somerville (2000): women havent fully achieved equality and the Gov needs to introduce more flexible work hours for women
  • difference feminists: although laws have been put in place to further gender equality, ethnicity also plays a role in equality - not all women’s experiences are the same
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16
Q

(FEMINISTS) outline the Marxist Feminist view

A
  • the main cause of women’s oppression in the family is due to capitalism - not men
  • women’s oppression serves 3 functions for capitalism;
    1) women reproduce the labour force: they birth + socialise the next generation of workers
    2) women absorb anger: men take their anger from the capitalist work system on their wives through domestic abuse
    3) women (in paid work) are exploited: they’re paid less than men and never make significant progress at work, as their main role is domestic duties
  • the oppression of women in the family is linked to the exploitation of the working class
17
Q

(FEMINISTS) give an AO3 evaluation of the Marxist Feminist view

A
  • Lib Fs: Marxist Fs ignore the laws made to improve equality for women
  • Radical Fs: its not capitalism that causes men to be violent, but more so due to the patriarchy
18
Q

(FEMINISTS) outline the Radical Feminist view

A
  • all societies have been founded on patriarchal values
  • men are the enemy: they’re the source of women’s oppression and exploitation
  • the family and marriage are key institutions: m benefit from w’s unpaid labour + sexual services. they dominate w through domestic and sexual violence
  • Greer (2000): argues for all female households as an alternative to the heterosexual family
  • in all families, men exploit women through their unpaid labour (housework, childcare, sexual services etc)
  • the only way to end inequality is to abolish the family, live separately from men and stop having sexual relationships with them - ‘separatism’
19
Q

(FEMINISTS) what is an AO3 evaluation for the Radical Feminist view

A
  • Lib Fs - Somerville: radical Fs ignore the progression made in society due to law changes and peoples changed norms and values
20
Q

(FEMINISTS) outline the Difference Feminist view

A
  • w’s experiences are individual depending on race, social class, sexuality etc and cannot be generalised
  • e.g. white w who may view the family as negative dont take into account that for many black w, the family can be a support network against racism experiences outside the home
21
Q

(FEMINISTS) give an AO3 evaluation of the Difference Feminist view

A
  • Diff Fs ignore that many women do share the same experiences regardless of race, class etc (e.g. can all be victims of SA/ DV)
  • Functionalists: the key functions of the family do benefit women as well (e.g. stabilisation of adult personalities)
22
Q

outline the personal life perspective

A
  • the Func, Marx and Fem theories all assume the nuclear family is the dominant family type - family diversity is ignored
  • and, they are structural theories - and believe that individuals are influenced to perform certain functions by institutions
  • to understand families, you must start from the point of view of the individuals and their meaning given to relationships
23
Q

outline the Personal Life perspective on families

A
  • family means more so who you’re close to rather than who you share DNA with - family is beyond ties of blood + marriage
  • significant relationships; with friends, fictive kin (close friends treated as relatives), with dead relatives, with pets
  • donor conceived children: there’s the debate of if the donor is considered family and to what extent. some parents emphasise the importance of social relationships over genetic ones
24
Q

what is an AO3 evaluation of the personal life perspective

A
  • can be too broad of a definition of family
  • ignores what is special about a blood or marital relationship
  • this perspective rejects the top down approach taken by other theorists - like from functionalists

Sociology - Family (8 decks)

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