Topic 3 - Theories of the family Flashcards
What do functionalists believe society is based on?
a value consensus - a set of shared norms and values into which society socialises its members
What were Murdock’s 4 essential functions of the family?
1) Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
2) Reproduction of the next generation
3) Socialisation of the young
4) Meeting its members economic needs
How have Marxists and feminists criticised Murdock?
for having a ‘rose-tinted’ harmonious consensus view that ignores conflict and exploitation
what do feminists argue that family serves the need of?
the needs of men and oppressing women
What do Marxists argue the family serves?
the needs of capitalism
What is Parsons ‘functional fit’ theory?
the functions that the family performs depends on the kind of society it is found in
What type of family fits the needs of pre-industrial society?
extended family
What type of family fits the needs of modern industrial society?
nuclear family
What two essential needs does industrial society have?
a geographically mobile workforce and a socially mobile workforce
What functions did families lose after industrialisation?
family is no longer a unit of production and it loses functions to other institutions like schools and health services
What are Parsons two ‘irreducible functions’?
The primary socialisation of children
The stabilisation of adult personalities - warm bath theory
What do Marxists believe society is based on?
capitalist society is based on unequal conflict between the capitalist class and the working class
What functions does the family have that Marxists believe fulfil the need of capitalism?
1) Inheritance of property
2) Ideological functions
3) A unit of consumption
In Engel’s view, why did monogamy become essential?
because of inheritance of private property, men had to be sure of the paternity of their child
In Engels’ view, how did the rise of the monogamous nuclear family represent the world historical defeat of the female sex?
it brought women’s sexuality under male control
How does the family perform the key ideological functions of capitalism?
by socialising children into the idea that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable
What does Zaretsky say the family offers?
offers workers a ‘haven’ from the exploitative, harsh world of capitalism
yet this is an illusion as it is based on the domestic servitude of women
How is the family a ‘unit of consumption’?
- media target children who use ‘pester power’ on their parents
- advertisers urge families to ‘keep up with the Joneses’
- children who lack the latest clothes and must have gadgets are mocked by peers
Why is the Marxist perspective criticised?
they tend to assume the nuclear family is dominant in capitalist society and ignores the variety of family structure
How do feminists criticise the Marxist perspective?
The Marxists emphasise on class and capitalism underestimates that importance of gender inequality within the family
How do functionalists criticise the Marxist perspective?
Marxists ignore the very real benefits that the family provides for its members
What do Liberal feminists believe about the family?
That although full gender equality has not been achieved, there has been gradual progress
What’s an example of progress they have found?
Men are now doing more domestic labour and parents now socialise their sons and daughters more equally
Why are Liberal feminists criticised by other feminists?
for failing the challenge the underlying causes of women’s oppression and for believing legal changes will be enough to bring equality
