perspectives on the family Flashcards
what do functionalists believe
society is based on value consensus
different parts of society work together to create harmonious society- organic analogy parsons
what are the functional prerequisites of the family
socialises the young norms of society
family fits with other social institutions
4 essential functions of the family functionalists
sexual- prevents sexual free for all
reproductive-next generation
socialisation-shared norms and values
economic-food shelter and clothing
murdock 1949
reflects Durkheim’s views family performs 4 essential functions
what does murdock accept
other institutions could perform the functions of the family but nuclear family is practical
criticise- not all families
parsons functional fit theory 1955
the structure and functions of a family will reflect the needs of the society in which it is found.
how did the family change after the industrial revolution
structure changed-extended to nuclear
lost many functions- performed elsewhere
what does the family need to be according to parsons
geographically mobile workforce
socially mobile workforce
what is a socially mobile workforce
children can achieve higher status than parents
what is a geographically mobile workforce
small and easy to move from place to place family
what is the result of functional changes to the family
family functions transfer to other places- education- school
health- hospital
work- factories
family has 2 basic and irreducible functions
primary socialisation
stabilisation of adult personalities
primary socialisation
norms and values in children
stabilisation of adult personalities
emotional security and love
Laslett 1972
1564-1821 households almost always nuclear
criticisms of functional view
issues of class, conflict and violence and exploitation ignored
see family as passive puppets controlled by society
marxists perspective
family serves to preserve the patterns of capitalism
how does the family reproduce unequal relationships
they observe and accept hierarchy-
child+ parent
siblings
men+women
what is meant by families act as a safety valve
work is exploitative and leads to discontent
the family legitimises this discontent
the man returns to work feeling satisfied
this cycle allows capitalism to thrive (reinforces)
zarensky 1976
families act as a safety valve- similar to parsons warm bath theory
how do the family contribute to the reproduction of labour power
produces tomorrows labour force- give them love and keep healthy and fit
so they are happy to work and are productive
the family are the biggest unit of consumption
what does it mean by ‘keeping up with the joneses’
always having the latest products
a false need is created
what is pester power
targeted at children- to nag parents into buying things for them
engles 1884
family had an economic function of keeping wealth bourgeoise origin
how has inheritance impacted the family
caused a rise in monogamous nuclear family- children were their own
female sexuality under male control
evaluation of marxist view
nuclear family is dominant- ignores the wide variety of families
underestimates gender and focuses on class
functionalists argue marxists ignore the benefits of the family
assumes people are puppets of society
what do feminists believe
they see the family as oppresses women and reproduces inequality
how are women socialised within the family
dependant on men- breadwinner, cereal packet family, oakley
new right perspective on the family
conservative approach- they prefer the traditional nuclear family. political perspective rather than social. strong supporters of marriage and critical of family diversity.
what is a ‘culture of dependancy’
Murray believed that people now see it as acceptable to take benefits rather than work
why do the new right criticise LPF
expensive as dependant on benefits
dysfunctional as lack male authority- produces delinquents
lack of moral responsibility
evaluation of new right views
victim blaming
ignores the fact that some cant work- ill
we shouldnt listen to meta narratives- we should regard family as what the members view it as
it ignores the issues in nuclear families-DV
unsympathetic to single mothers- ABESNT FATHERS
what do personal life perspective believe counts as family
relationships with friends
fictive kin
gay and lesbian chosen family
relationships with chosen family
relationships with dead family
pets
personal life perspective
wider views of relationships, all relationships that are significant are counted as family, not just blood or nuclear
evaluation of personal life perspective
often accused of being too broad in their calcification. ignores what is special about blood and marriage
sees intimate relationships as important, sense of belonging. recognises relatedness as not always being positive
what are some examples of social policy
plans and actions, of state agencies, health and social services, schools, welfare system
social policies that impact and are aimed at families
marriages and divorces, abortion, child protection, contraception, adoption
social policies that impact and are not aimed at families
compulsory education, care in the community, taxation policies
russia social policies
post 1917 revolution, changed laws on divorce, equality and abortion to destroy the old tsarist patriarchal ways.
but because of famine ect, the wanted to make the family stronger. divorce tightened and abortion was made illegal- many children was rewarded, hero mother of the soviet union
china social policies
1979 one child policy, discouraged population growth pressure of sterilisation but in 2016 parents could appeal for permission to have 2 children
romania social policies
drive up birth rate in 1980’s- post communism, restrict abortion and contraception. legal age of marriage decreased to 15
nazi germany social policies
1930’s two fold policy to produce a racially pure master race. 3 K’s
evaluation of post modernism and family diversity
o’brien and jones research says that there is less variety in families than stacey claims
post modernism and family diversity
modern society is a ‘cultural supermarket’ people had greater choice and could select their own lifestyle. celebrated greater individualisation and believed it was shown through increased family diversity
what did stacey claim in 1990
claims there will never be just one type of dominant family again
conservative and NR ideology- social policies
policies in this ear reflect general desire of right wing politicians
conservative and NR ideology
family is- building blocks of society, based on heterosexual marriage and nuclear family, 2 parents essential to maintain order and discipline
