Evaluating functionalist views

• Conflict theorists (e.g. Marxists and feminists)


  Criticise functionalists for painting too rosy a picture of family life
• Families


  Do not serve the interests of everyone in society, just powerful groups (e.g. feminists argue families serve the interests of men)
• Fran Ansley (a Marxist-feminist): 'Women are "the takers of shit", absorbing men's frustrations and protecting the ruling class'
• The theories are outdated: contemporary families are more diverse with different gender roles