Theories of the Family Flashcards
According to Murdock what are the functions of the family?
-Stable satisfaction of Adult Sex drive
-reproduction of Next Generation
-socialisation of the young
-meeting economic needs
Other than the 4 functions, what is Murdocks view of the family?
A building block in society, organic analogy, Nuclear fsmily is the best
Criticisms of Murdocks view
-Non nuclear family structures work
-Rose tinted view that iognores capitalism and womens oppression
What is the functional fit theory?
According to Parsons, the functions of the fsmily depends on the society in which it is in
According to Parsons, why has there been a move towards nuclear families in recent times?
Industrialisation requires a geograohically and socially mobile workforce that ext families cannot provide
What are irreducible functions?
Many funnctions taken over by other institutions
-only primary socialisation and stabilisation remain
What is Engels perspective of the family
Inheritance of property
-monogamous essebtial to ensure legitimate heirs
-no more promiscuous horde
According to Marxists, what are the ideological functions of the family?
-Normalises the idea of heirarchy and patriarchy in children
-Zaretsky; safe haven, which is all illusion, leads to DV as men release frustrations
According to Marxists, how is the family a unit of consumption?
-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
How can the Marxist perspective of the family be criticised?
-Assumes nuclear family is dominant
-Underemphasises importance of gender inequalities
-Ignore positive side of family
What is the liberal feminist view of the family?
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
How can the liberal feminist view be criticised?
-too optimistic; womens inequality deep rooted in family
-Overlooks role of structres e.g capitalism/patriarchy
-Ignores intersectionality in womens experience
What is the Marxist feminist view on the fanily?
Capitalism causes womens oppression, not men
According to Marxist feminists, what functions do womens oppression serve for the family?
-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
How can the Marxist feminsit view be criticised?
-Outdated views of family, dual earner families exist
- doesnt address intersectionality, only class
What is the radical feminist view of the family?
-Men, the family and marriage are the source of womens oppression
-Advocate seperatism
-Argue for political lesbianism to avoid oppression
How can the radical feminist view of the family be criticised
-Ignores progress
-Neglects mens oppression (expected to be primary breadwinner/ have less emotion)
-Ignores some women enjoy the family
What is the difference feminism view of the family?
-Womens experiences in the family cannot be generalised e.g black feminists see the family positively, as support against racism
How can the difference feminist view be criticised?
-Some women do share the same experience e.g DV, sexual assault, low pay
According to PLP, what are the weaknesses of func,marx and feminist theories of the family?
-Ignores diversity of familes (SPH,step-families etc)
-Structural theorists that ignore the idea we have choice in building our family relationships
What is the PLP view of family?
We build our own families through fictive kin, chosen families and pets (Tipper)
-We should focus on the meanings indivduals give to relationships
What did Nordvisq and Smart look at?
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
How can the PLP be criticised?
-Accused of taking too broad a view, ignoring what is special about blood relationships/marriage
-Neglects inequality within families such as patriarchy/capitalismn