Theories on the Family

• Structural theories


  Theories that focus on the overall structure and functioning of society
• Functionalism


  • Consensus theory that focuses on the positive and harmonious aspects of society
  • Sees society as a system where everyone has an equal opportunity (meritocracy)
  • Emphasizes value consensus - the agreement on important values and beliefs
• Feminism


  • Conflict theory that focuses on gender inequality and male dominance over women
  • Views the family as a patriarchal institution that oppresses women
• Marxism


  • Conflict theory that focuses on class inequality between the rich (bourgeoisie) and the poor (proletariat)
  • Argues that the rich exploit the labour of the poor to maintain their power and wealth
• Functionalist view of the family


  The family plays vital functions in integrating people into society's values and norms, socializing children, and providing economic support
• Murdock's four functions of the family


  • Reproduction
  • Satisfaction of sex drive
  • Socialization of children
  • Economic function
• Parsons' two irreducible functions of the family


  • Primary socialization of children
  • Stabilization of adult personalities
• Criticisms of the functionalist view include: it is outdated, it ignores the negative aspects of family life, and it does not account for family diversity
• Feminist view of the family


  • The family is a patriarchal institution that allows men to exercise dominance and control over women
  • Women suffer a 'dual burden' of domestic work and paid work
  • The unequal distribution of work and benefits in the family oppresses women
• Criticisms of the feminist view include: it may not accurately reflect the progress towards greater equality in families, and there are diverse feminist perspectives on the family
• Marxist view of the family

  The family is a unit of consumption that helps maintain capitalism by keeping the rich rich and the poor poor
• Engels argued that the family emerged to pass on private property to children, which reinforces class inequality
• Marxists see the family as an institution that supports the capitalist system by encouraging consumption and the passing on of wealth
• Marxism


  Marxists view that institutions like the family, media, school etc. play a role in keeping the rich rich and the poor poor
• Family


  Described as a unit of consumption, constantly putting money back into the capitalist system to support the rich
• Inheritance


  The passing down of money, assets, property etc. from one generation to the next, which helps maintain the class structure
• False class consciousness


  The family creates an illusion of a safe haven where workers have control, when in reality they do not have control at work
• Criticisms of the Marxist view focus on how not all families support capitalism, and the positive aspects of families
• New Right


  A political perspective similar to functionalism, arguing that only the nuclear family is functional for society
• Charles Murray


  New Right theorist who argues that the decline of nuclear families will lead to a breakdown in society
• Criticisms of the New Right view include that many non-nuclear family types are functional, and the welfare state exists for a reason
• Sociological theories on family diversity


  • Functionalism - sees family diversity as functional
  • Feminism - supports family diversity as it offers alternatives to patriarchal structures
  • Marxism - doesn't say much about family diversity
  • New Right - sees family diversity as dysfunctional and leading to societal breakdown