Theories of the Family

Question 1

According to Murdock what are the functions of the family?

Answer 1

-Stable satisfaction of Adult Sex drive
-reproduction of Next Generation
-socialisation of the young
-meeting economic needs

Question 2

Other than the 4 functions, what is Murdocks view of the family?

Answer 2

A building block in society, organic analogy, Nuclear fsmily is the best

Question 3

Criticisms of Murdocks view

Answer 3

-Non nuclear family structures work
-Rose tinted view that iognores capitalism and womens oppression

Question 4

What is the functional fit theory?

Answer 4

According to Parsons, the functions of the fsmily depends on the society in which it is in

Question 5

According to Parsons, why has there been a move towards nuclear families in recent times?

Answer 5

Industrialisation requires a geograohically and socially mobile workforce that ext families cannot provide

Question 6

What are irreducible functions?

Answer 6

Many funnctions taken over by other institutions
-only primary socialisation and stabilisation remain

Question 7

What is Engels perspective of the family

Answer 7

Inheritance of property
-monogamous essebtial to ensure legitimate heirs
-no more promiscuous horde

Question 8

According to Marxists, what are the ideological functions of the family?

Answer 8

-Normalises the idea of heirarchy and patriarchy in children
-Zaretsky; safe haven, which is all illusion, leads to DV as men release frustrations

Question 9

According to Marxists, how is the family a unit of consumption?

Answer 9

-Advertisment urging families to get latest products (keeping up with the Joneses)
- Media targets Children= pester power
-Stigmatisation of children for not having latest gadgets

Question 10

How can the Marxist perspective of the family be criticised?

Answer 10

-Assumes nuclear family is dominant
-Underemphasises importance of gender inequalities
-Ignore positive side of family

Question 11

What is the liberal feminist view of the family?

Answer 11

March of progress view;
-legislation is changing attitudes, benefiting womens positions in family e.g domestic labour becoming more equal
-Further reforms are still needed in legislation and socialisation

Question 12

How can the liberal feminist view be criticised?

Answer 12

-too optimistic; womens inequality deep rooted in family
-Overlooks role of structres e.g capitalism/patriarchy
-Ignores intersectionality in womens experience

Question 13

What is the Marxist feminist view on the fanily?

Answer 13

Capitalism causes womens oppression, not men

Question 14

According to Marxist feminists, what functions do womens oppression serve for the family?

Answer 14

-Reproduce the labour force, socialising next gen of conformist workers
-Absorb male anger that should be directed at capitalism (Ansley)
-Reserve army of cheap labour

Question 15

How can the Marxist feminsit view be criticised?

Answer 15

-Outdated views of family, dual earner families exist
- doesnt address intersectionality, only class

Question 16

What is the radical feminist view of the family?

Answer 16

-Men, the family and marriage are the source of womens oppression
-Advocate seperatism
-Argue for political lesbianism to avoid oppression

Question 17

How can the radical feminist view of the family be criticised

Answer 17

-Ignores progress
-Neglects mens oppression (expected to be primary breadwinner/ have less emotion)
-Ignores some women enjoy the family

Question 18

What is the difference feminism view of the family?

Answer 18

-Womens experiences in the family cannot be generalised e.g black feminists see the family positively, as support against racism

Question 19

How can the difference feminist view be criticised?

Answer 19

-Some women do share the same experience e.g DV, sexual assault, low pay

Question 20

According to PLP, what are the weaknesses of func,marx and feminist theories of the family?

Answer 20

-Ignores diversity of familes (SPH,step-families etc)
-Structural theorists that ignore the idea we have choice in building our family relationships

Question 21

What is the PLP view of family?

Answer 21

We build our own families through fictive kin, chosen families and pets (Tipper)
-We should focus on the meanings indivduals give to relationships

Question 22

What did Nordvisq and Smart look at?

Answer 22

Donor concieved children and what is considered family in those instances
-do donor siblings count as family
In lesbian couples who is considered the real mother

Question 23

How can the PLP be criticised?

Answer 23

-Accused of taking too broad a view, ignoring what is special about blood relationships/marriage
-Neglects inequality within families such as patriarchy/capitalismn