Theories Of The Family - Done Flashcards
What are the 4 different perspectives of the family
Functionalist
Marxist
Feminist
Personal life
What is the Functionalist perspective on the fam
Society is a system that relies on different parts, the fam is a sub system which performs 4 main functions for society according to Murdock - stable satisfaction of the sex drive, reproduction of the next gen, socialisation, meeting economic needs.
How is Murdock criticised
He is criticised as some sociologists believe other fam structures other that the nuc could do the fams functions just as well
What is parsons functionalist view
Functional fit theory, he identifies two family types - nuc (fits the needs of modern society) and extended (traditional pre industrial), the nuc fam is more geographically mobile than the extended fam as it is easier to move two generations for work rather than 1.
What is the Marxist perspective of the family
Marxists see the fam as functioning to support capitalism, they see numerous different functions such as inheritance of property, ideological functions, and a unit of consumption.
What is the Marxist view of ideological functions?
 The family socialises children into a set of ideology that capitalism creates, The family creates the idea that there is inequality in society and that there will always be a person in charge of you, prepares them for working life which people have to accept orders from the bosses.
What is the Marxist view of a unit of consumption?
 The family plays a major role in generating profits for capitalists the urge families to  get all of the new gadgets. They use pester power to get children to make their parents spend more.  children who don’t have the newest clothes or gadgets get mocked by their peers.
How are Marxist criticised?
They ignore the other family structures in society
Feminists argue that Marxist put too much emphasis on class and underestimate the importance of gender
Functionalists same answers ignore the benefits of family provides for its members
Liberal feminist view of the family
Sex discrimination act 1975 has helped women become more equal, we are moving to a more equal society -They take a march of progress of the fam as more men are doing domestic labour, socialisation of children is more equal, however they are criticise for failing to see the underlying causes of women’s oppression 
A Marxist view of feminism
 Men are not to blame, but capitalism is. They reproduce the labour force. Women absorb anger. Fran Ansley says women are takers of shit for their husbands. Women are reserve army of cheap labour. to overcome this, we need to overthrow capitalism.
What is a radical feminist view of the family?
Radical feminists believe that men are the enemy, and the family and marriage are the key institutions in patriarchal society, women believe to overcome oppression family need to be punished. This can happen for separatism which is living independently for men they also argue for political lesbianism as being heterosexual is sleeping with the enemy however, they criticised as they fail to recognise accomplishments women have made
Different feminist of you on the family
Difference, feminists argue that each woman experiences the family differently free sample, white women, neglect, black women experience of racial oppression, and that their families are source of support and resistance against racism, however, there criticised as many women to experience the same experiences
