Theories of the family

Question 1

Functionalist overall

Answer 1

• socialise children into norms and value
• create social solidarity and value consensus
• organic analogy

Question 2

Functionalist: Parsons

Answer 2

1. ) primary socialise children into norms and values

2. ) stabalisation of human personalities

Question 3

Functionalist: Murdock

Answer 3

study of 250 societies and found 4 universal functions

1. sexual
2. reproductive
3. educational
4. economic

Question 4

Functionalist: FFT

Answer 4

pre industrial: large, extended family. lived on farms

industrial: had to become geographically mobile so became more nuclear, factories

Question 5

Functionalist: warm bath theory

Answer 5

women: support the man emotionally, look after him after work.
men: provide discipline and income for the family, relaxed and soothed when at home

Question 6

Functionalist: AO3

Answer 6

strengths: vc–> sc
nuclear fam provides stable upbringing
study of 250- reliable

weaknesses: sexual diviosn of labour
dark side of family
fft, not always nuclear
benefits the bourgeoisie

Question 7

Marxist: inheritance of property, Zareky

Answer 7

• monogamy needed for right child
• gives to son, patriarchal
• ensures wealth stays within the family

reproduces capitalism and class inequalities

Question 8

Marxist: ideological functions, engles

Answer 8

socialises into being submissive and the idea of hierarchy

e.g obeying your parents and older siblings

Question 9

Marxist: unit of consumption

Answer 9

putting your earnings and contributing back into the economy, e.g spending money back at your place of work. cycle, maintains capitalism. media targets children ‘pester power’
must keep up with material goods

Question 10

Marxist: SS and EB

Answer 10

SS: values, beliefs and attitudes. institutions controlled by the superstructure 
EB: means of production, ruling class gain power through capitalism.