Theories

• 4 functions of the family according to Murdock (f)


  Stable satisfaction of the sex drive

  Reporducting of the nect generation

  Socialisation of the young

  Meeting members econmic needs
• Critisms of Murdock


  Marxists - argue meets needs if capitalism, not family

  Feminists - meets the needs of men while oppressing women
• Parsons (f)


  Family lost functions due to industrialisation
• 2 functions of the family according to Parsons (f)


  Primary socialisation

  Stabilisation of adult personalities
• What is the warm bath theory according to Parsons?


  Family provides stress relief and relaxation

  'Safety valve
• What is the personal life perspective?


  Beyond ties of blood and marriage

  Important relationships that are not 'family' eg pets, friends
• 2 weaknesses of personal life perspective


  Assumes traditional nuclear family is dominant

  Structural theories- assumes members are puppets
• Marxist feminist view


  Family oppresses women
• Who argues kwomen are the takers of shit'

  Fran Ansley
• Difference feminist view


  Women have different experiences depending on ethnicity and class
• Liberal feminist view


  Campaign against sex discrimination
• Radical feminist view


  Men are the enemy
• Who argues that women carry a dual burden of domestic and paid work?


  Ann Oakley
• 2 solutions according to radical feminists


  Political lesbianism - prevents 'sleeping with the enemy'

  Separatism - women live independently
• Engels (m)


  Inheritance of wealth passed down nuclear family
• Althusser (m)


  Role of family is to produce submissive individuals that will benefit capitalist system
• Zaretsky (m)


  Cushioning effect - similar to warm bath theory (f)

  Family generates profit for capitalists by 'keeping up with the joneses' to avoid bullying
• critisms of the marxist perspective

  Assumes nuclear family is dominant

  Feminists - underestimate importance of gender inequalities

  Functionalists - ignore the benefits it provides