Topic 3 - The Functionalist Perspective of the Family

Question 1

what does Murdock argue about the basic functions of the family?

Answer 1

• Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
• Reproduction of the next generation-without this society cant continue
• Socialisation of the young
• Meeting the economic needs- eg: food and shelter

Question 2

Parsons sees industrial society as having two needs

Answer 2

A GEOGRAPHICALLY MOBILE WORKFORCE-It is easier for the nuclear family to move, as of modern society
AND A SOCIALLY MOBILE WORKFORCE -Nuclear Family is best for this . in the extended family , fathers see their sons grow up and achieve a higher ascribed status

Question 3

parsons loss of functions

Answer 3

**when society industrialises the family loses its functions
the nuclear family performs two functions : the primary socialisation of the children- teaching them societies values
the stabilisation of adult personalities -the family is a place where adults can release tensions

Question 4

proletariat

Answer 4

usually working class

Question 5

bourgeoise

Answer 5

usually upper class

Question 6

liberal feminists

Answer 6

campaign for equal rights and against sex discrimination

women’s oppression is becoming overcome

Question 7

Marxist feminists

Answer 7

main cause of womens oppression is capitalist society

eg: women reproduce the labour workforce, women absorb anger,

Question 8

radical feminism

Answer 8

society is ruled by patriarchy, the division is between men and women
men are the enemy
the family and marriage are the key institutions - men benefit from womens domestic labour and their sexual services
THEY BELIEVE IN SEPARATISM- WOMEN LIVING THEIR LIFE INDEPENDANTLY OF MEN

Question 9

Difference feminism

Answer 9

mc, wc, heterosexual and lesbian black and white women live their have different experiences of family life

Question 10

inheritance of property

Answer 10

in modern society, capitalist class control:societys productive forces

Question 11

What did marx call the earliest classless society?

Answer 11

primitive communism, in this society there was no private property

Question 12

units of consumptions

Answer 12

advertisers use fsmilies to buy the latest products eg: they used to have consumer goods etc and hire purchase to buy products on credit
the media targets children , who persuade their parents to spend more
children have must haves Eg: peer pressure/ fitting in with the crowd