Theories of the Family

Question 1

Summary

Answer 1

Functionalist (Murdock and Parsons)
Marxist (Marx and Engels)
Feminist (Liberal, Radical, Marxist and Difference
Personal Life

Question 2

Murdock

Answer 2

Four Functions: Stabilisation of sex drive, primary socialisation, economic needs and reproduction.
Recognises other institutions could perform these roles but the sheer practicality of the nuclear family is why it takes place in every society without fail.

Question 3

Parsons

Answer 3

Nuclear family was shifted to during industrialisation of Britain for two reasons
1. Geographically mobile workforce
2. Socially mobile workforce
During industrialisation lost functions (unit of production)
Two irreducible functions: stabilisation of adult personalities and primary socialisation

Question 4

Marxist

Answer 4

1. Inheritance of property
   - Marx: primitive communism. Engels: Promiscuous horde
   - Private property: Monogamy became essential for men to be sure of the paternity of their children
   - Women’s sexuality became a mere instrument for production of children.
2. Ideological functions
   - Socialises children into idea of hierarchy being inevitable through authority within household.
   - Zaretsky: family is ‘haven’ from capitalism.
3. Unit of consumption
   - Keep up with the Joneses and keep up with consumption
   - pester power

Question 5

Liberal Feminist

Answer 5

• Family gradually improving

Question 6

Marxist feminist

Answer 6

• Capitalism benefits from oppression in family
• Women reproduce labour force
• Absorb anger (Ansley)
• Reserve army of cheap labour

Question 7

Radical feminist

Answer 7

• Men are the enemy: source of women’s exploitation
• Family and marriage are key institutions in patriarchal society.
• Solution is political lesbianism. No more sleeping with the enemy.
• Greer argues for creation of all female households as an alternative to heterosexual family.

Somerville: This is unlikely

Question 8

Difference feminism

Answer 8

don’t generalise