theories of the family Flashcards
acronym for functions of the family
SERS - socialisation, economic, reproductive, sexual regulation
functionalism - view on socialisation according to parsons
the family socialises its children into the correct norms and values, typically done by the mother/expressive role in order for society to function smoothly e.g. manners, queuing
functionalism - ao3 for socialisation
marxists argue the family socialises its children into the values of capitalism e.g. always someone in charge at home just like in the workplace
functionalism - view on economics according to murdock
the family acts as a unit of consumption via the father acting as the breadwinner/instrumental role, to provide for all its members’ needs e.g. food, medicine
functionalism - ao3 for economics
marxists argue this ultimately benefits capitalism e.g. buying a family car benefits car brands
functionalism - view on reproduction according to murdock
the family allows for society to continue by creating more members, making it vital for society’s survival
functionalism - ao3 for reproduction
postmodernists argue a nuclear family is no longer needed for reproductive needs e.g. introduction of sperm donor babies
functionalism - view on sexual regulation according to murdock
the family allows access to sex in a secure and monogamous manner to prevent social disruption where adultery and prostitution is a norm
functionalism - a03 for sexual regulation
marxists argue monogamy benefits capitalism as it ensures property and wealth stays within the family
functionalism - warm bath theory according to parsons
the family acts as a warm bath to relieve the breadwinner of daily stresses, leaving them refreshed to be economically productive the next day
functionalism - ao3 for warm bath theory
ignores the dark side of the family - domestic violence does not make the family a safe place
functionalism - functional fit theory according to parsons
in the pre-industrial era, the common family type was extended - grandparents performed childcare, education and healthcare as it fit the argicultural needs of society at the time
after industrialisation, the common family type was nuclear - they were geographically and socially mobile, and due to structural differentiation, the government took over childcare, education and healthcare
functionalism - ao3 for functional fit theory
most pre industrial families were nuclear due to low life expectancy
early industrial times led to the rise of mum centred wc families - mother-in-laws, aunties were more involved
general ao3 for functionalism
ignores family diversity (fd)
postmodernists argue fd is positive as it shows family types depend on active choices made by people e.g. to divorce, come out as gay
new right argue fd is negative as it takes away from the traditional nuclear family and is the cause of social problems e.g. high crime rates
ao3 for functionalism - radical psychiatry and the family
the family is pathological/dangerous to its individuals causing mental illness
leach - the nuclear family is too isolated from society, pressure turns into frustration and anger taken out on the children
parents and children spend too much time together, which emotionally suffocates the children due to high expectations placed on them
marxism - view on socialisation according to althusser
the family acts as a ideological state apparatus to brainwash the next generation into capitalist norms and values e.g. a parental figure always being in charge teaches children to always respect hierarchal authority
marxism - ao3 for socialisation
functionalists argue this passes on norms and values to allow society to run smoothly
radical feminists argue this passes on norms and values of the patriarchy
marxism - view on economics
the family acts as a unit of consumption by purchasing goods and resources required that benefits capitalism e.g. baby food
families are urged to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ by getting the latest goods, and children use their pester power to get their parents to spend in fear of being mocked by peers for not having the latest clothes and gadgets
marxism - ao3 for economics
functionalists argue this benefits all the members of the family
marxism - rejection of the warm bath theory according to zaretsky
the family acts as a ‘haven’ to relieve the workers of the exploitative capitalist society, where men takes out their frustrations of the system on women who provide free domestic labour for a low status and no pay
capitalism therefore gets a BOGOF (buy one get one free)
marxism - view on reproduction
the family reproduces the labour force to create more workers or wage slaves for the bourgeoisie to exploit
marxism - ao3 for reproduction
functionalists argue marxists fail to recognise the benefits the family brings to its members such as mutual support and intimacy
marxism - view on sexual regulation according to engels
monogamy developed as capitalism did - previously there was a promiscuous horde and no sexual restrictions
as capitalism developed, the bourgeoisie used monogamy to control the woman’s sexuality and make sure their property would stay within the family as the man knew the children were his, leaving the rich rich and the poor poor
marxism - ao3 for sexual regulation
historical inaccuracies - monogamy existed in earlier societies
liberal feminism - view on the family
there has been a march of progress allowing girls to be resocialised from the expressive role due to legal and social changes e.g. equal pay act, sex discrimination act gives women equal rights in the workplace
the new man has emerged - men now take on housework and have the same aspirations for both sons and daughters
liberal feminism ao3
though women now have equal rights in the workplace, they still experience the dual burden - having to do paid work and housework
radical feminism (millett) - view on the family
men in the family exploit women for their unpaid domestic work and sexual services making them the enemy
children are brought up with the norms and values of the patriarchy - men are in charge and women are submissive
the only way to fix this is to abolish the family and introduce separatism where women live separately, or practice political lesbianism where women avoid sleeping with the enemy
radical feminism ao3
there are some women who choose to be housewives e.g. the emergence of ‘tradwives’
functionalists argue men and women are naturally suited to the instrumental and expressive role
marxist feminism (benston, ansley) - view on the family
the nuclear family meets the need of capitalism at the expense of wc women and children by providing the basic commodity for capitalism (next generation of workers) for little cost
women absorb the anger of their husbands after being exploited in the capitalist workplace, maintaining the workforce’s emotional fitness - ‘takers of sh!t’
women are an reserve army of cheap labour - they were used in WW2 to make arms but were pushed back into the home after the war ended
marxist feminism ao3
functionalists argue a separation between men and women is necessary as women’s role in the warm bath theory/primary socialisation is essential for society’s continuation
the personal life perspective argue women and the proletariat now have a choice in their family
difference feminism - view of the family
the experience of the family cannot be generalised as every woman’s experience is different depending on their race, sexuality, class
white feminists arguing all women’s experience in the family is bad ignores the support that black women get in the family against racism
difference feminism ao3
even if all women have different experiences, they are still at a high risk of domestic abuse, sexual assault so some generalisation is okay
overview of personal life perspective
argues we should understand the meaning people give to family rather than their functions
focus on how individuals shape their lives rather than society shaping them
personal life perspective - beyond ties of blood and marriage
takes on a wider conception of family, intimate connections create a sense of relatedness e.g. pets seen as family members, aunties that aren’t blood related
this shows family is what it means to an individual
ao3 for personal life perspective
undermines the value of blood connections
recognises choice, the functions of the family and acknowledges that blood connections ≠ positive
