Theories/sociological perspectives

Question 1

How do functionalists see society?

Answer 1

as based on value consensus- a shared set of norms and values- shared culture enables members of society to co-operate harmoniously to meet society’s needs and achieve their common goals

Question 2

What is the organic analogy and the functions of the family via functionalists?

Answer 2

• society as a biological organism- body is a system made up of different parts (cells, organs etc) that function together to meet society’s needs and maintain it- society is a system made up of different but interdependent parts or sub-systems, such as institutions like the education system, economy, religion, state etc- function of any part is the contribution it makes to maintaining the social system, as a whole
• they believe family plays a vital role in social systems as a whole as well as meeting needs of other sub-systems
• they take a positive view of the family- seeing it as performing a beneficial function both for wider society and all its individual members

Question 3

What is the issue with the above?

Answer 3

functionalists assume the family is harmonious and ignore conflict and exploitation like child abuse etc

Question 4

What are Murdock’s 4 functions of the family ?

Answer 4

• in 1949 he argued the nuclear family performs 4 essential functions for society and member:
• stable satisfaction of the sex drive with the same marital partner- this prevents the social disruption that would be caused by a sexual ‘free for all’
  -Reproduction of next gen- without which society could not exist- workers needed
• socialisation of the young- into society’s norms and values enables new members to integrate into society
• satisfaction of members econ needs- e.g. providing food and shelter. In pre-industrial societies, the family is a unit of production, but in modern societies it has become a unit of consumption only- beneficial as reduces reliance on others in society and stimulates independence
• these 4 functions performed- means the nuclear family helps maintain social stability- for Murdock ‘sheer practicability’ of the nuclear family as a way of meeting needs explain why it is universal

Question 5

Is the nuclear family a universal institution as Murdock suggests?

Answer 5

• The Nayar: of south-west India, before 19thc. there was no nuclear family- women could have many sexual relations and biological father of children was therefore uncertain- the mother’s brother was responsible instead of looking after mother and children
• The Kibbutz: early kibbutzim- childrearing was separated as much as possible from the relationship, with kids kept apart from natural parents brought up in children’s houses- role of natural parent= limited, and only allowed to see children short periods each day- children seen as children of kibbutz responsible for community as a whole
• lone parent family- inc common in western societies, usually female headed
• Gay/lesbian families- more common- most with children tend to be Lesbian couples- also cases of gay men having kids via surrogate mother- known case of this -Sir Elton John- Civil partnership act 2004 have legal recognition to the relationship of same sex couples who enter a civil partnership, involving similar arrangements and legal marriage

Question 6

What is Parsons functionalist fit theory?

Answer 6

• argues the kind of range of functions that the family performs depend on the type of society in which it is found- this also determines the kind of structure family has which Parson identifies as wither- the three-generational extended family, found in pre-industrial society or the two-generational nuclear family, found in modern industrial society
• extended-family was multi-functional- it was a unit both of production and of consumption, e.g. all members worked the land together, and it often performed welfare, military, religious or other functions

Nuclear family fits 2 key needs of modern industrial society:

-need for geographical mobility: contemporary society has a specialised division of labour, with a wide range of different occupations with different incomes and lifestyles- this means that the labour force needs to be geog mobile- move around nation to areas where skills are required improving education or gaining promotion -> often means leaving relatives behind weakening traditional extended family
- social mobility rate (in contemporary society): means ppl can move up or down the social scales compared to family born into- higher ascribed status then father for example. Family may find themselves in different jobs, with different education, income, lifestyle and opportunities and attitudes

• parson distinguishes between the male instrumental/breadwinning role and female expressive/nurturing role- sees it due to biological based as are better suited to expressive role

Question 7

What are Parsons 2 irreducible or essential functions?

Answer 7

• primary socialisation of the young, equipping the next gen with basic skills and society’s value- he argued families taught social norms and values but specifically taught children- beneficial as instils basic discipline and controls human behaviour
• stabilisation of the adult personality - enabling adults to relax and release tensions so can return to workplace and perform roles efficiently- he provides a relaxing env- warm bath theory for male workers after work- beneficial to wider society as reduces stress and bad decisions due to stress

Question 8

Other than geographic and social mobility, what are the other ways in which there is thought to have been a decline in extended family with the isolated nuclear family fitting contemporary society?

Answer 8

• growth in meritocracy in contemporary societies- now its ‘what you know’ over ‘who you know’ - extended kin therefore has less to offer this may be challenged via the upper class
• need to avoid possibility of econ and status differences in an extended family unit causing conflict and family instability- different occupations and lifestyles of extended family members may be conflict and instability within family via disputes over where to live after job opportunities arrive - links to geog mobility
• need to protect family stability by strengthening bonds between married and cohabiting couples- strong bond to develop with the couple- free time is spent by both partners doing jobs around home, TV and so on- family becomes a self-contained and more intimate unit

Question 9

How may social policies reinforce functions of family?

Answer 9

• plans and actions of state agencies such as health, social services, aimed directly at families through laws governing marriage, divorce, abortion, adoption, child protection- laws could change norms or reinforce existing values- why older ppl have different values to younger
• gay marriage

Question 10

How can functions of the family impact upon childhood experiences?

Answer 10

• functions such as socialisation affects childhood experiences as values likely to stick to them for life- if socialised different to other children- like class- bullying or stigmatisation could entail

Question 11

How does globalisation impact the functions of the family?

Answer 11

• may change norms and values of society e.g. same sex couples could decrease importance of reproduction function for next gen in global scale

Question 12

Criticism/evaluations of the functionalist perspective?

Answer 12

• Downplay functionalist: both Murdock and Parsons paint a very rosy picture of family life, presenting it as harmonious and integrated institution- however downplay conflict in family especially darker side such a domestic violence and child abuse-> children become emotionally disturbed
• out of date- Parson’s instrumental/expressive roles- may not be a case today- as women may be breadwinners- roles played by both partners at various times
• radical psychiatrists like Laing claimed to reveal reality behind normal family life was damaging and can cause schizophrenia- ‘mad’ ppl come from mad families

Question 13

What is the Marxist view and its perspective of the family

Answer 13

• Marxists see capitalist society as based on an unequal conflict between 2 classes:
  -capitalist class/Bourgeoisie- who own means of production
  
  • working class/Proletariat- own only their labour- forced to sell to capitalists in return for wages- exploitation- see all societies institutions as helping maintain class inequality/capitalism

Question 14

What is the Marxist function of the family via Inheritance of property?

Answer 14

• as capitalism developed wealth began to inc , along with inc wealth came the development of private property as a class of men who emerged who were able to secure control of the means of production- this change eventually brought about patriarchal monogamous nuclear family
• Engels view is that monogamy became essential bc of inheritance of private property- men had to be certain of paternity of children in order to ensure that their legitimate heirs from them- monogamous nuclear family brought women’s sexuality under male control as economic security her husband had offered.

Question 15

Evaluations of Engels’ theory

Answer 15

• based on unreliable historical evidence
• however his views convincing enough for 1917 Russian revolution- attempts to break away privatised family - govt also made things like divorce and abortion easier however under Stalin some of these had changed

Question 16

What is the Marxist function of the family via ideological function?

Answer 16

• set of ideas or beliefs that justify inequality and maintain capitalist system by persuading ppl to accept it as fair, natural or unchangeable- family= responsible for socialising children into accepting hierarchy - firstly accept parental power then able to accept orders from capitalist
• Althusser suggested family is one of the ISA’s as well as education and mass media- through socialisation into this ideology in the family, the ruling class tries to maintain false class consciousness by winning hearts and minds of w/c
• Zaretsky argues that there is a ‘cult of private life’- the belief that we can only gain fulfilment from family life- and this distracts attention from exploitation

Question 17

What is the Marxist function of the family via unit of consumption?

Answer 17

capitalism needs consumers to buy its products- family is an important market for consumer goods and therefore enables capitalists to make profits
- advertisers urge families to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ by consuming all latest products
- children use pester power to persuade parents to pay more
- children may be mocked if not have latest items
- benefits capitalism but not the family members

Question 18

Criticisms of the Marxist view?

Answer 18

• Marxists tend to assume nuclear family is dominant in capitalist society- ignores wide variety of family structures found in society today
• feminists argue that the Marxist emphasis on class and capitalism underestimates the importance of gender inequalities within family- which are more fundamental than class inequalities
• functionalists claim marxists ignore benefits of that family provides for its members

Question 19

What is the feminist viewpoint for the family?

Answer 19

• a sociological perspective and political movement that focuses on women’s
  oppression and struggle to end it
• although the claimed 4 types of feminism have different views and ideas on how women oppression should be ended- they do have some things in common
• family may benefit some members, particularly adult males more than others
• believe in existence of violence, abuse and exploitation within the family- family also is patriarchal
• feminists, especially radical, attack the notion that there is a growing symmetrical family

Question 20

What is the liberal feminist view for the family?

Answer 20

• gender inequality is gradually being overcome through legal reforms and policy changes, challenging stereotypes and changing ppls attitudes and socialisation- this a march of progress view
• campaign against sex discrim and equal rights/opportunities
• oppression can be overcome via the changing attitudes by changing socialisation like mindsets and discouraging gender stereotypes
• today women have more power in family decisions whilst domestic chores are shared more equally
• Somerville believe women are still disadvantaged in the family

Question 21

What is the New Rights theory of the family?

Answer 21

• supports traditional values and institutions - similar to functionalist
• nuclear family and kinship network as performing important and beneficial functions in securing social stability - emotional security for children
• see traditional heterosexual nuclear family with 2 natural parents and trad division of gender roles with men as instrumental and women expressive nurturing roles
• see traditional family under threat from social changes like rising divorce rate, more stepfamilies, lone parent families, gay marriage and welfare state policies that support relationships outside the conventional nuclear family- argue changes undermine social stability and point to lack of respect rising and anti-social behaviour, educational achievement and alcohol/drug abuse, crime etc

Question 22

What further do New Rights claim as well as most famous NR writer Murray?

Answer 22

• He argues the welfare state has undermined personal responsibility and self-help, and the importance of support from families- are particular critical about welfare support for lone parent families as argue this encourages single women to have children they could not otherwise afford, knowing can get benefits from welfare
• dependency culture and a workshy underclass avoiding so can live off benefits
• NR argue for a return of trad family values and govt policies to reverse decline of the trad family unit - might include measures to reduce divorce and births outside marriages and welfare state reduction.
• social justice report found a child brought up in a one-parent family headed by lone more more likely to grow up poor, experience behavioural issues, perform less well in school as well as leave earlier, need further medical care and more sexually active and pregnant

Question 23

What is the critiques of the New right family?

Answer 23

• Mooney-> parental conflict is more important for child’s breakdown of wellbeing than separation to negative child consequences
• Ford and Millar-> NR suggest poverty of single mothers is ‘choosing’ this lifestyle- not the case
• they rarely consider single parenthood may be preferable to the domestic violence that is inflicted by some husbands on wives and kids

Question 24

What is Chester Neo-conventional family a evaluation for NR?

Answer 24

• does recognise family diversity however unlike NR doesn’t regard changes as significant
• main change he recognises is a more from traditional to neo nuclear family
  -ppl are not choosing not to live in nuclear
• neo-conventional family is more symmetrical and women work outside home and are also important wage earners
• Chester says that lone parenting is often a phase in life cycle

Question 25

What is postmodernism view on family: Rappaports 5 types of family diversity?

Answer 25

• diversity is of central importance in understanding family life today- Believed we have moved away from traditional nuclear family to range of different types. Families in Britain have adapted o a pluralistic society. Family diversity reflects greater freedom of choice and widespread acceptance of different cultures. Unlike NR, they see diversity as positive to ppls needs- Identify 5 types family diversity in B today
  1. Organisational diversity- difference ways family roles = organised
  2. Cultural diversity- different cultural, religious an ethnic groups have differing family structures
  3. Social Class diversity- income differences between households of different social class
  4. Life stage diversity- family structures differ according to stage reached in life cycle
  5. Generational diversity- older and younger generations have different attitudes and experiences

Question 26

What is postmodernist view on family: Cheal?

Answer 26

• PM’s starts from view that we no longer live in a modern society with its predictable, orderly structures e.g. Nuclear - society entered a new chaotic PM age
• no longer one single dominant family structure- more fragmented now- more chaotic in lifestyles, personal relationships and family arrangements
• writers argue their advantage: gives individuals greater freedom to plot own life course- choose kind of family that meets needs- but also disadvantages: greater risk of instability, since relationships are more likely to break up

Question 27

What is postmodernist view of family: Stacey?

Answer 27

• associates changes in the family with a movement away from a single dominant family type to greater variety in family relationships- families in western societies are varied, old + new frequently blended together as families impose new ways of living in a rapidly changing world
• Stacey does not see emergence of PM family as another stage in family development life, instead destroyed whole idea that the family progresses via a series of logical stages, No longer sensible discussion what type of family is dominant in contemporary societies as diverse- Stacey believes it will be impossible for societies to go back to having a single standard
• argues that Gay and Lesbian families have also played crucial role in family changes- themselves are extremely diverse but bc of prejudice face they have to consider best way to develop their intimate relationships- forced reflection has made these families more creative and imaginative- made them more likely to include ppl from outside conventional nuclear family in their family circle, including single ppl
• believes child raised in a gay and lesbian family less likely to be homosexual relationships and more likely to try for themselves- basically allowing for more freedom to explore and develop their sexuality

Question 28

What is the postmodernist view of the family: Giddens and individualisation thesis?

Answer 28

• argues that in recent decades the family and marriage have been transformed by greater choice and more equal relationship between men and women- contraception allowed sex and intimacy rather than reproduction become main reason for relationship existence and women have gained independence as a result of feminism- as a result basis of marriage and the family has changed- Giddens argues in the past trad families relationships were together externally
• what holds relationships together today is no longer law, religion, social norms or trad institutions but intimate relationships nowadays based on individual choice and equality. He sees pure relationship as typical of today’s late modern society, in which relationships no longer bound by trad norms- key feature of pure relationship is exists solely to satisfy partners needs.
• he notes however, with more choice personal relationships inevitably become less stable- in turn producing greater family diversity by creating more LPF, OPH and Step families etc
• sees same sex relations as leading more toward new family types and creating more democratic and equal relations

Question 29

What is the postmodernist view of the family: Beck?

Answer 29

• in past- ppls lives defined by fixed roles preventing them from choosing own life course- by contrast individuals in today society have fewer fixed rules- according to Giddens thesis we have become freed from trad rules and structures leaving us with more freedom to choose how we lead our lives
• as individuals gained more personal choice they were freed from restrictions produced by am obligation to live in trad families, but they also lost support and security that come with trad family life
• Beck says nuclear fam seems to offer a sort of refuge in chilly env of our affluent, impersonal, uncertain society, stripped of its traditions and scarred by all kinds of risk- love will become more important than ever and equally impossible
• he argues we now live in a risk society where trad has less influence and ppl have more choice- as a result we are more aware of risks- this is by making choices involved calculating risks and rewards of different options open to us. This contrasts with an earlier time when ppl roles were more fixed by trad and rigid social norms dictated how they should behave

Question 30

What is the personal life perspective on families?

Answer 30

• strongly influenced via interactionalism- argues to understand families we must start from POV of the individuals concerned and the meanings they give to their relations
• this contrasts feminism, marxism and functionalism in their top down structuralist approach as PLP bottom up emphasising meanings that individual family members hols and how these actions and relationships
• takes wider view than just trad family based on blood or marriage ties- e.g. a Women may not be close with sister and unwilling to help in a crisis whereas will for someone they care about even if not related
• by focusing on peoples meanings this perspective draws attention to a range of other personal or intimate relationships important even if not ‘family’ - family is whatever you want it to be
• ## friends are like ‘bros’ and ‘sis’, fictive kin: close friends treated as relatives- a mothers friend may be called ‘auntie’, dead relatives live in ‘memory’, even pet relations are part of the family

Question 31

What are the evaluations to the PLP?

Answer 31

• Nordqvist and Smarts study illustrates value of it compared to top down to help understand how people construct and define own relations as ‘family’ rather than imposing traditional definitions
• however accused of too broad of a view- by this we ignore what’s ‘special’ about blood and marriage based family
• unlike functionalists PLP recognises relatedness is not always positive for example ppl trapped in abusive relationships suffering