Sociology: theories of the family

Created by

Rob

Cards (108)

what is a household?
a person living alone or a group of people living together
whatt is the nuclear family?
a monogomous marriage between a man and a woman plus their child(ren) all in the same residence.
What do functionalists believe society is based on?
value consensus
What is value consensus?
a set of shared norms and values into which society socialises its members
What does value consensus enable? 
to co-operate harmoniously, meet society's needs and achieve shared goals
What is organic analogy?
organs in body rely on each other to run smoothly, like society relies on each social institution to keep society running smoothly and thrive.
How does the NF fit into the organic analogy?
The family is a unit of consumption. Family works with education, religion, politics to ensure smooth running of coiety and his key functions to carry out to ensure society is stable. Socialise next generation into norms and values.
What does Murdock argue the four functions that the family performs for society?
stable satisfaction of the sex drive
reproduction of the next generation of workers
socialisation of the young
meeting its members' economic needs
What does Murdock argue about the nuclear family? 
its universal, in all societies
Evaluation of Murdock: The NF?
the nuclear family is no longer universal. Mormans
Evaluation of Murdock: feminists?
nf is patriarchal (liberal) domestic abuse (radical) child abuse
Evaluation of Murdock: Marxists?
functionalists aren't harmonious and only meet the needs of capitalism
What is Parsons functional fit theory? 
Argues the functions the family performs depend on the society in which its found.
What are the two types of family parsons identifies?
the extended family
the nuclear family
What is the extended family according to Parsons? 
The NF with the addition of grandparents (vertical) or aunties and uncles (horizontal)
What is the nuclear family according to Parsons?
a two generation family of a man, woman and their dependent children
What are the two types of society that Parsons identifies?
The modern industrial society
The traditional pre industrial society
What family type fits into the needs of the modern industrial society according to Parsons?
nuclear family
What family type fits into the needs of the traditional pre industrial society according to Parsons?
extended family
What is the dominant family type in britain according to Parsons?
nuclear family
What is the traditional pre industrial society according to Parsons? 
people lived in the same village all their lives, the family was a multi functional unit and was self sufficient.
What is the modern industrial society according to Parsons?
industrialisation and urbanisation meant people moved around for work, society is meritocratic.
What are the essential needs the modern industrial society which the NF can meet?
a geographically mobile workforce
a socially mobile workforce
What is a geographically mobile workforce according to Parsons? 
we now need to move around for work and the nuclear family is more compact and better suited for this due to its size.
What is a socially mobile workforce according to Parsons?
we no longer have obligations to our kin and so we are able to work hard and achieve, we don't need to help at harvest or at times of crisis or follow in the footsteps of our parents.
What happens to the family when a society changes according to Parsons? (pre industrial society)
This society was a multi functional unit, it was a unit of production and consumption, fed and clothed its members. According to Parsons when society industrialises not only does the family change from extended to NF it loses functions.
What functions does Nuclear family perform in a modern society according to Parsons?
The primary socialisation of children
The stabilisation of adult personalities
What is the primary socialisation of children according to Parsons?
teaches children the basic norms and values of society. The child internalises societies culture and this ensures value consensus is maintained.
What is the stabilisation of adult personalities according to Parsons?
family provides stability and emotional security, a safe haven way from the stresses of everyday life. The family works like a warm bath easing the worries of the world
What is the female role in the NF according to Parsons?
expressive role (homemaker)
What is the male role in the NF according to Parsons?
instrumental role (breadwinner)
What does Parsons suggest about these roles?
they are biological and natural
How do Willmott and young criticise Parsons?
The pre industrial family was nuclear not extended as Parsons claims. The extended family not gone, it performs functions like financial help, childcare + emotional support. They are just as important but geographically dispersed
How does Willmott and Young criticise Parsons instrumental and expressive roles?
they aren't biologically suited to the male and female as they are socially constructed
How does Willmott and Young criticise Parsons divide in gender role in the family?
the family has changed and it has become symmetrical where the man and women are sharing roles equally
How does Oakley criticise Parsons?
She believes gender roles aren't biological and are socially constructed. Suggests the family maintain gender inequality and socialisation. Boys and girls socialised into certain gender roles.
What four ways do the family socialise children according to Oakley that criticises Parsons?
manipulation
different activities
verbal appellations
canalisation
What is 'manipulation' according to Oakley?
behaviour associated with the opposite sex is punished
What are 'different activities' according to Oakley?
boys and girls are encouraged to take part in different tasks
What are 'verbal appellations' according to Oakley?
girls are encouraged to be passive and called a 'good girl' if done as they are told