Topic 3- theories of the family

• What do functionalists say about the organic analogy?

  The human body is made up of different parts that function together to meet its needs and maintain it. Functionalists believe society does the same, in which it is made of individual parts (e.g. the education system, the government, religion etc) that work together to maintain the social system as a whole
• What does Murdock say about theories of the family?

  The nuclear family performs four essential functions:

  • socialisation of the young
  • satisfaction of the members economic needs
  • reproduction of the next generation
  • stable satisfaction of sex drive
• What does Parsons say about the functional fit?

  The functional fit relies on which type of society it was found:

  • pre industreal society- extended family- had the function of production and consumption
  • modern society- nuclear family- have the function of social and geographical mobility
• What does Parsons say about the functional fit?

  The nuclear family has two irreducible functions:

  • primary socialisation of the young- equipping the next generation with basic skills and society's values
  • stabilisation of adult personalities- enabling adults to relax so they can return to the workplace and perform their roles effectively
• What does Engles (a marxist) say about theories of the family?

  The family exists so men can pass their private property onto their biological offspring, notably a son
• What does Zaretzky say about theories of the family?

  There is an ideological function of the family called the cult of private life- this is the belief we can only gain fulfilment of family life, which distracts attention from exploitation
• What does Poulantaz say about theories of the family?

  Nuclear families are brainwashed into thinking capitalism is fair, which teaches lower generations how to conform and cooperate with the capitalist system
• What do Liberal Feminists say about theories of the family?

  Liberal Feminists take the march of progress view in suggesting gender inequality is being gradually overcome through reform and policy change, which changes peoples attitudes towards socialisation and challenges stereotypes. For example, the new man is becoming more widespread
• What do Marxist Feminists say about theories of the family?

  Capitalism is the main form of womens oppression in the family and this performs several functions for capitalism:

  • reproducing the labour force- women socialise the next generation of workers
  • absorbing mens anger- wives soak up their husbands frustration from being exploited at work
  • a reserve army of cheap labour- when not needed, women workers can return to their domestic role
• What do Radical Feminists say about theories of the family?

  The family and marriage are key institutions in a patriarchal society, meaning that men benefit from womens unpaid domestic labour and sexual services, as well as dominate them through violence or the threat of it. Radical feminists also believe the patriarchal system needs to be overturned, and the only way to achieve this is through separatism, meaning women need to organise themselves to live independently to men
• What do Difference Feminists say about theories of the family?

  Not all women share the same experience of oppression; women of different ethnicities, class age etc may have different experiences of the family
• What do the New Right say about theories of the family?

  A biologically based division of labour- the division of labour between a male breadwinner and a female homemaker is natural and biologically determined

  Families should be self reliant- reliance on state welfare leads to a dependency culture and undermines traditional gender roles. It produces a family breakdown and an increase of lone parent families, which results in social problems due to poor socialisation
• What does Smart say with the personal life perspective?

  Looks at relationships that individuals see as significant and gives a sense of identity, belonging and relatedness (pets, friends etc.). Interactionists believe that structural approaches assume that the traditional nuclear family is the dominant type of family. This ignores the increased diversity of families today