˚ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ Theories Of The Family

Question 1

What type of theory is Functionalism?

Answer 1

Consensus :: they see society as Harmonious.

Question 2

What is the definition of a family

Answer 2

Sociologists define the family as relationships of people who are connected through blood, adoption or marriage and live together with children + possibly a pet

Question 3

What is Parson’s Functional Fit Theory?

Answer 3

The role of the family depends on the kind of society it is found. The functions that the family needs to perform will affect its shape or structure.

Question 4

Nuclear Family

Answer 4

Mum, Dad, 2 Children

Question 5

Family type pre industrial revolution?

Answer 5

Extended

Question 6

Family Type Post Industrial Revolution?

Answer 6

Nuclear Family

Question 7

Geographically Mobile

Answer 7

The nuclear family is easier to relocate from a rural area to an urban area than the extended family

Question 8

What did the family go from after the Industrial Revolution?

Answer 8

Extended to Nuclear

Question 9

Socially Mobile?

Answer 9

People gain their status through their own efforts and ability rather than their background. Nuclear families avoid tension / conflict as a result of different generations having different statuses.

Question 10

3 processes of Differentiation

Answer 10

Structural - Social Structures in Society
Differentiation - Separation or splitting up of separate things
Structural Differentiation - process of social structures’ functions being split up or separated

Question 11

Example of Structural Differentation

Answer 11

The state taking over certain functions. For example the NHS takes the caring role from the family

Question 12

What does SERS stand for?

Answer 12

Socialisation
Economic
Reproductive
Sexual Regulation

Question 13

[ FUNC ] Socialisation

Answer 13

The family teaches norms and values of society. This allows children to cooperate and integrate into society.

EXAMPLES
- Parents teach their children manners. Which leads them to effectively communicate with others.
- In a traditional nuclear family, mum performs an expressive role. Naturally suited to it.

Question 14

[ FUNC ] Socialisation AO3

Answer 14

__Radical Feminism__
- The family socialises children into patriarchal values. Example? Children are taught that ‘dad’ is in charge rather than mum

__Interactionist__
- Functionalism tends to neglect the individual meanings that families have, the deterministic nature of the modern family

Question 15

[ FUNC ] Economic

Answer 15

• The family works as a unit to meet the basic economic needs of all its members. The man acts as a breadwinner via the instrumental role
• PARSONS :: Family being geographically and socially mobile workforce benefits the economy.

Question 16

[ FUNC ] S.O.A.P

Answer 16

Parsons
- He says that the family is responsible for the Stabilisation Of The Adult Personality.
- Adults can relax and relieve tensions, allowing them to feel refreshed and ready to go back to work and be economically productive
- Allows the smooth running of the economy

Question 17

[ FUNC ] Economic AO3

Answer 17

__Marxism__
- The family serves capitalism, for example they buy a family car and capitalism makes profit from it
__Feminism__
- They say that the family ignores the dark side of the family, women being used as a means of relieving tensions through things such as abuse. Far from soothing, and family can be source of problems

Question 18

What is Ann Oakley’s criticism of the Warm Bath Theory?

Answer 18

She says that the Warm Bath Theory is a farce. Women perform the role of housewife for 77 hours to please men

Question 19

What is an alternative name for S.O.A.P?

Answer 19

Warm Bath Theory

Question 20

Key Sociologist for the Warm Bath Theory?

Answer 20

Talcott Parsons

Question 21

Key Sociologist for Economic (functionalist)?

Answer 21

Murdock

Question 22

Key Sociologist for Primary Socialisation (functionalist)?

Answer 22

Parsons

Question 23

[ FUNC ] Reproductive

Answer 23

The family reproduces the next generation, has a key role in allowing society to continue, as it needs more members to survive.

Question 24

[ FUNC ] Reproduction AO3

Answer 24

__POSTMODERNISM__
- The idea that the Nuclear Family solely creates more members for society is outdated, there’s many different options now: surrogacy, adoption, insemination etc.

Question 25

Key Sociologist for Reproduction (functionalism)?

Answer 25

Murdock

Question 26

[ FUNC ] Sexual Regulation

Answer 26

The family is used to satisfy the adult sex drive, monogamy means that each partner gets access to sex in a relationship. It prevents adultery and prostitution.

Question 27

[ FUNC ] Sexual Regulation AO3

Answer 27

__MARXISM__
- This says that sexual regulation serves capitalism, monogamy solved inheritance issues.

Question 28

[ FUNC ] Stretch: Radical Patriarchy and the Family ( use in a conclusion )

Answer 28

• Focus is on the family and how it can cause mental illness / argues that psychiatric cures, for example drugs, are often the way of controlling social deviants
• Highly anti-functionalism and anti-new right, as they view the family as ‘pathalogical’ ( involving or causing a mental / physical disease ) to society.
  LEACH :: Nuclear family is too isolated from the wider family ties and cause pressure, leading to parents takin gtheir frustrations out on their children
  LAING :: The family can cause mental illness, children spend too much time with their parents and vice versa. Parents emotionally suffocate their children due to high expectations.

Question 29

What type of Theory is Marxism?

Answer 29

Conflict