functions of the family

• murdock - functionalist


  four essential functions to meet needs of the family

  Reproduction

  Economic

  Socialisation

  Sexual
• parsons - functionalist


  functional fit theory

  
  

  pre industrial = extended family

  post = nuclear

  modern society needed social and geographical mobility

  families used to be a unit of consumption and production but now just consumption - structural differentiation

  irreducible functions - primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personality
• laslett - functionalist


  families almost always nuclear

  late childbearing and short life expectancy means grandparents die when grandkids are born
• willmott and young - functionalist


  rise of ''mum centered" working class extended family
• engeles


  past society was in primitive communism

  promiscuous hordes- no restrictions on sex
• althuser - marxist


  family socialises children into norms and values
• zaretsky - marxist


  family performs ideological function

  "haven" from harsh and exploitative world of capitalism

  illusion, family can't meet needs of its members
• marxist theory of family

  ideological functions

  inheritance of private property

  unit of consumption
• types of feminism


  liberal - MOP, make more laws

  radical - men = enemy, political lesbianism

  post modern - not all men

  marxist - absorb anger, reproduce labour force, reserve army of cheap labour

  difference - different experiences
• greer


  radical

  matrifocal households
• somerville


  liberal

  RF fail to recognise women's position has improved

  separatism unlikely to work

  need more family friendly policies
• butler


  post modern feminist
• tipper - personal life perspective


  even relationships with pets

  fictive kin
• Nordquist and Smart - PLP


  what counts as family now?
• murray and marsland - new right


  welfare state undermined personal responsibility, self help, importance of support from families