Topic 3:Theories Of Family Flashcards
Different perspectives in theories of the family
What are the different perspectives in theories of the family (4)
Functionalism - structural theory
Marxism - conflict and structural theory (class)
Feminism - conflict and structural theory (gender)
The personal life perspective - structural
The functionalist perspective on society:
What is the functionalist view on society?
Society is based on a value consensus (a set of shared norms and values) into which society socialises its members.
Society is like a body that has different functions but needs to work together to function well.
Functionalist perspective on the family:
How do functionalists view the family (use sociologist) (RESE)
Murdock (1949) - the family performs four essential functions to meet the needs of society
Reproductive: Ensures population growth.
Educational: Imparts societal values and norms.
Sexual: Maintains stable, controlled relationships.
Economic: Shares resources, ensures financial stability.
Criticisms of Murdock:
How do feminists criticise Murdock?
Feminists see the family as serving the needs of men and oppressing women e.g Men - bread winner and women - homemaker.
These roles are not biologically constructed but socially constructed.
Criticisms of Murdock:
How do Marxists criticise Murdock?
Marxists argue that it meets the needs of capitalism e.g In the family there is a hierarchy.
Because of this, children learn to be subservient and this means that when they work under the capitalist system they are less likely to revolt as they are used to being told what to do.
Functional fit theory
What is the functional fit theory (use sociologist)
Parsons (1955) - The structure and functions of families will fit the needs of the society (functional fit)..
Functional fit theory:
What are the two types of society (use sociologist) (TPI and MI)
Parsons - there are two types of society e.g. traditional pre-industrial and modern industrial.
Parsons argued that the nuclear family suits industrial society’s needs, becoming dominant during that period, while the extended family was more suited to pre-industrial society, dominating then. Family adapted to society’s changing needs.
Key word:
What does geographically mobile mean?
The ability to move from one place to another, like relocating for a job or opportunity.
Functional fit theory:
How is having a geographically mobile workforce a need of industrial society (use sociologist)
Parsons - the nuclear family suits industrial society’s need for mobility, as it’s easier to move (due to smaller family sizes). This suits the need of geographical flexibility.
Key word:
What does socially mobile mean?
The ability to move up or down in social status, such as improving your job or education level.
Functional fit theory:
How is having a socially mobile workforce needed for an industrial society (use sociologist)
Parsons argues that industrial society requires a skilled workforce and social mobility and the nuclear family provides this.
The nuclear family is small and distanced for extended relatives meaning that people can pursue opportunities without obligations unlike traditional extended.
Loss of functions
How does the family change when it loses some of its functions (use sociologist)
Parsons argues that due to industrialisation the family specialises in two functions e.g. primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities.
PS - teaches children societal values and skills.
SAP - offering adults a space to relax and recharge, helping them return to work refreshed and supporting the economy.
The Marxist perspective on the family
What is the Marxist view of society?
Marxist’s see capitalist society as based on conflict between two social classes e.g. M/C and W/C.
Marxists see all society’s institutions helping to maintain class inequality and capitalism.
The Marxist view of the family
What is the Marxist view of the family?
Marxists believe that the function that the family performs purely benefits the capitalist system.
Key word:
What is the mode of production?
Those who own and controls, tools, land and labour.
The Marxist view of the family
How does the family function ‘inheritance of property’ benefit capitalism
Marxists - social institutions work through the mode of production.
The M/C own and control means of production and therefore uses the family to exploit this power through ideology and biology.
The Marxist view of the family
How does the family function ‘private property’ benefit capitalism (use sociologist)
Engels argues monogamy - ensures private property to be passed to legitimate heirs, leading to the patriarchal nuclear family.
Marxists - no capitalism - no private property - no patriarchal nuclear family.
The Marxist view of the family:
How does the ‘ideological function’ of the family benefit capitalism (use sociologist)
Marxists - the family serves an ideological function for capitalism by spreading beliefs that justify inequality.
e.g. It socialises children into accepting hierarchy and inequality - prepares them for work.
Zaretsky (1976) - The family appears as a safe space for workers, but this is an illusion; it doesn’t fully meet members’ needs, and women are often treated as subservient.
The Marxist view of the family:
How does the family function ‘a unit of consumption’ benefit capitalism
Capitalism profits by exploiting workers and selling products for more than they cost. The family supports this by consuming goods, with children using “pester power” to influence spending.
This encourages consumption, but benefits capitalism rather than the family members.
Feminist perspective on society
What is the feminist view on society?
Feminists argue that society oppresses women.
Gender inequality is socially constructed and it is not natural for women to be subservient to men. They should be equal.
Liberal feminist perspective on the family
What is the liberal feminist view on the family? (use laws)
Liberal feminists campaign against sex discrimination and promote equal rights for women.
They believe progress is being made through changing attitudes and legal reforms, like the Sex Discrimination Act (1975). However, more needs to be done to ensure full equality.
Criticisms of Liberal feminists view on the family:
What are the criticisms of the liberal feminist view of the family?
Marxist and Radical feminists believe that true equality can only be achieved by challenging current social structures not just through legal changes.
Marxist feminist perspective on the family
What is the Marxist - feminist view on the family (use sociologist)
Marxist feminists argue that women’s oppression in the family is caused by capitalism.
Ansley (1972) claims that women absorb their husbands’ anger from workplace alienation, explaining male domestic violence, and are seen as a reserve army of cheap labour.
Capitalism needs to be abolished to achieve equality for women.
Radical feminists perspective on the family
What is the radical feminist view on the family? use sociologist)
Radical feminists argue that patriarchy causes women’s oppression and exploitation.
They view the family and marriage as key patriarchal institutions, where men benefit from women’s unpaid domestic labor and sexual exploitation.
Greer (2000) advocates for “political lesbianism,” believing heterosexual relationships are oppressive.
Criticisms of Radical feminists view on the family:
What are the criticisms of radical feminism? (use sociologist)
Liberal feminists e.g. Somerville
(2000), radical feminists fail to recognise how far women’s rights have come e.g. - access to divorce, job opportunities and control over their own fertility.
Difference feminists perspective on the family
What are Black/difference feminist’s view on the family?
Black feminists argue that women’s experiences of the family cannot be generalized, as they vary based on factors like race. White feminists overlook the unique experiences of other women
e.g. Black women have a positive view of the family - support against racism however, Pakistani feminists argue that the family is still incredibly patriarchal.
Criticisms of Difference feminists:
What is a criticism of Black/difference feminists?
Other feminists argue that difference feminism neglects the fact that all women share many of the same experiences e.g. they all face a risk of domestic violence and sexual assault and low pay.
The personal life perspective on the family:
What is the person life view on the family?
Focuses on individuals’ meanings in families criticises other theories for ignoring family diversity.
The sociology of the personal life perspective:
How does looking beyond blood and marriage help to show people’s relationships (use sociologist)
Tipper (2011) found that children often viewed pets as part of the family. This emphasises that family is not always conventional but still has but by the personal significance.
The sociology of the personal life perspective:
How does donor conceived children help to show relationships between people (use sociologist)
Nordgvist and Smart found that some parents prioritize social bonds over genetics however some face challenges around equality and identity within family roles e.g. some feel like ‘not a real parent’
