Theories Of The Family Flashcards
Functionalist view is
Consensus perspective
Marxism view is
Class conflict perspective
Feminism is
Gender conflict perspective
Functionalist - four functions family performs
Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
Reproduction of the next generation
Socialisation of the young
Meeting members economic needs
Murdock
Functional fit theory
Parsons
Functions depend on which society they live in
Parsons 2 kinds of family structure
Nuclear
Extended
Parsons 2 types of basic types of society
Modern industrial society - nuclear
Traditional pre industrial society - extended
Geographically mobile workforce is
People move to where jobs are
Easier for nuclear
Better fitted to Modern society
Primary socialisation of children is
Equipping with basic skills and society’s values
Begin to integrate them into society
The stabilisation of adult personalities is where
The family is a place where adults can relax
Return to workplace refreshed
Marxists see society as
Capitalist society with 2 classes
Capitalist
Working
To Marxists the functions of the family are performed to
Benefit the capitalist system
What does ideology mean
Set of ideas or beliefs that justify inequality
3 ways Marxists see family as serving capitalism
Inheriting private property
Ideological functions
Source of profits
Feminist view on family
Oppresses women
Liberal feminist view on family
Campaign against sex discrimination and for equal rights
Argue Gradual progress
Marxist feminist view on family
Capitalism is main reason for women’s oppression
3 things Marxist feminist see that women’s oppression creates for capitalism
Women reproduce labour force
Women absorb anger that would be at capitalism
Women are reserve army of cheap labour
Radical feminist view on family
Rule by men
Men are enemy
Difference feminists argue that
We cannot generalise women’s experiences
All have different experiences
Personal life perspective say other theories suffer from 2 weaknesses
Assume the traditional nuclear family is dominant family type
They are all structural theories - everyone has some choice in creating family relationships
Personal life perspective info
Bottom up
Start from point of view of individuals concerned to understand the family
Personal life perspective 5 points
Relationships with friends Fictive kin (fake auntie) Gay and lesbian chosen family Relationships with dead relatives (memories) Relationships with pets
