Sociological Approaches - Family

Functionalism

The (nuclear) family is positive for society - it performs many functions for society as a whole

Functionalism

The family has children which keeps the human race going

Functionalism

The family carries out primary socialisation - it teaches children norms and values

Functionalism

The family provides economic support for its members - it provides food and shelter

New Right

The family is negative for society if it is not a nuclear family

New Right

Children from nuclear families:

New Right

Single parents and same sex couples are bad for

society

Marxism

The family is negative for society and is based on a conflict between the classes

Marxism

The family helps to maintain class differences in society as the rich can afford to give their children a better start in life than the poor

Marxism

The family socialises the working class to accept that it is fair that the classes are unequal

Feminism

The family is negative for society and is bad for women

Feminism

Girls and boys learn their different gender roles within the family through socialisation

Feminism

Girls copy their mothers (doing housework) whilst boys copy their fathers (doing DIY)

Feminism

The family is male dominated and patriarchal, it benefits men more than it does women

Marxism

The family socialises the working class to accept that it is fair that the classes are unequal

Marxism

The family socialises the working class to accept that it is fair that the classes are unequal