Topic 1: Sociological Theory & Family

• Functionalism

  A sociological theory that sees society as a system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain stability and order
• 4 Functions of family: MURDOCK

  • Sexual
  • Reproduction
  • Socialisation
  • Economic
• Sexual


  Expressing sexuality in a socially approved context
• Reproduction


  Family providing some stability for the reproduction & rearing of children
• Socialisation


  Important unit of primary socialisation where children learn socially acceptable behaviour and the culture of their society, helping build shared ideas & beliefs
• Economic


  Family provides food & shelter for family members
• Ideal Family type (MURDOCK)

  Nuclear family, best suited to meeting all its members needs & found universally
• CRITICISMS OF FUNCTIONALISTS: A03

  • These functions can be performed just as well as other institutions or family types
  • Not all nuclear families can meet economic needs (e.g. government provide support through welfare/benefits)
  • Feminists view traditional nuclear family as patriarchal, with women disadvantaged
• Functional Fit Theory: PARSONS

  The particular structure & functions of a given type of family will 'fit' the needs of the society it is in. The functions it will perform depends on the kind of society it is found in.
• Changes to family due to INDUSTRIALISATION

  1. Pre-industrial society -> extended family

  2. Emerging industrial society -> nuclear family
• Modern industrial society

  Needs a geographically mobile workforce to move to different parts of the country/world for jobs, which the nuclear family is better fitted for
• Socially mobile workforce


  Move up in status / class Status achieved by individuals in industrial by own efforts and abilities, not ascribed by social & family background
• Pre-industrial multi-functional unit


  1. Unit of production, members worked together more self-sufficient

  2. Eq. family ceases to be unit of production, work moves to factories

  3. Family becomes only unit of consumption, functions replaced by institutions
• 2 FUNCTIONS OF FAMILY PARSONS

  • Primary socialisation of children, equip with basic skills & society's values, cooperate with others, integrate them into society
  • Stabilisation of adult personalities, family place of relaxation, release tensions, enabling to return to Workforce refreshed & ready to meet demands
• Pre-industrial nuclear family


  Not extended, parents & children working together
• From about 1900, the nuclear family emerged


  Extended family less important as social changes
• Changes: higher living standards, married women working, welfare state, better housing
• Family - key for primary socialisation
• Care of elderly, 4 in 40% 1980s are caring for their parents
• Family provides essential institution, provides love, support, emotional well-being
• Marxism

  Capitalist system, unequal conflict between 2 social classes: Bourgeoisie (the ruling class) and Proletariat (work in means of production)
• The family is a tool of capitalism

  • Inheritance of property/wealth, Passing on private property to heirs, Monogamy became essential due to this
  • Ideological function, socialising children into idea that hierarchy & inequality are inevitable, Parental power over children accustoms them to idea that there always has to be someone in charge, prepares them for work life to accept orders from their capitalist employers, Helps maintain false class consciousness
• Family as unit of consumption


  Plays major role in generating profits for capitalists, important market for sale of consumer goods, Advertisers keep up with the Joneses consuming all latest products, Media targets children 'Pester Power' to persuade parents to spend more
• Criticisms of Marxism:

  
  

  Ignores positive functions of family life, fail to recognise family diversity, focus too much on class inequality and ignore gender inequality
• Feminism


  Patriarchy, system of society or government where men hold the power and women are largely excluded
• Examples of women's exploitation & oppression


  • Long inflexible working hours, Expectations in domestic labour
• Liberal Feminist View

  Families slowly becoming more equal through changes in law, Believe we are moving towards greater equality, Full equality depends on further legal reforms and changes in attitudes
• Criticisms of Liberal Feminism: fail to challenge underlying causes of women's oppression, believe that changes in law and people's attitudes are enough to bring about change
• Radical Feminist View

  • The family and marriage are key institutions in patriarchal society, Men benefit from women's unpaid domestic labour and from their sexual services, Dominate women through domestic and sexual violence or the threat of it
• Criticisms of Radical Feminism: fail to recognise that women's position has improved considerably
• Intersectional Feminist View


  Focus on experience of women in nuclear family, not all families are nuclear, Not all women have same experience of family life, e.g. Black woman finds her family as a refuge from societal racism rather than a place of oppression/negativity
• Criticisms of Intersectional Feminism: Neglects fact that many women do share some experiences of family regardless of ethnicity or social class, e.g. risk of domestic violence and low pay