A-Level Sociology - Families & Households - Theories on the Family

Flashcards for AQA A-Level Sociology Paper 2

Parsons

Functionalist sociologist who discusses two functions of the family. 1) Primary Socialisation. 2) The Stabilisation of Adult Personalities

Murdock

Functionalist sociologist who discusses four functions of the family. 1) Reproductive Function 2) Economic Function 3) Sexual Function 4) Educational Function

Instrumental Role

The view that the male typically takes on the role of the provider in the family, fulfilling responsibilities related to financial support and decision-making. The idea that the man in the family should adopt this role is supported by Functionalists

Expressive Role

The view that the female typically takes on the role of nurturing and emotional support within the family, focusing on maintaining family harmony and providing care. The idea that the woman in the family should adopt this role is supported by Functionalists

Functional Fit Theory

Discussed by the Functionalist, Parsons, this argues that the family structure is shaped by the needs of society, adapting according to its changing demands and functions. Parsons notes how in the pre-industrial era the most functional type of family was the Extended family. However because industrialised society needed a Geographically mobile, and a Socially mobile workforce, the Nuclear family became the most functional type of family in society.

Zaretsky

A Marxist who argues that the family serves to reproduce labour power and perpetuates capitalist ideology, fostering both emotional support and societal stability.

Marxist Views on the Role of the Family

The Family can be seen as benefitting capitalist society in many ways:

1) Through the inheritance of property - the bourgeoisie can ensure wealth is passed from generation to generation and is therefore inaccessible to the proletariat.

2) Through being a unit of consumption - the proletariat supports capitalist production by consuming goods, thus driving profits for capitalists.

3) By socializing children into accepting capitalist ideology, promoting values such as competition and individualism.

Engels

A Marxist who specifically addresses the idea of how the family benefits capitalism through inheritance of property. He argues that the nuclear family structure was essential in ensuring that wealth remained consolidated within the bourgeoisie, preserving their economic dominance across generations. He also believed that the family plays a role in the oppression of women, as their subordination is reinforced through marriage and domestic roles within the family structure.

Ansley

A Marxist Feminist who argues that women serve as "takers of shit" by absorbing the frustration and anger of their husbands, thus supporting the capitalist system by providing emotional support.

Liberal Feminist view on the family

A Sociological perspective that takes the view that the patriarchal nuclear family still exists, however they believe that through changing laws and challenging attitudes, significant progress in women’s liberation has been made.

Marxist Feminist view on the family

A Sociological perspective that takes the view that the patriarchal nuclear family exists, because it is rooted in capitalist society. If capitalist society was challenged and replaced with communism then this would liberate women from patriarchal oppression.

Radical Feminist view on the family

A Sociological perspective that takes the view that the patriarchal nuclear family exists and is universal. All men benefit from the patriarchal nuclear family and it is the primary source of women's oppression. They argue for the dismantling of family structures to achieve true gender equality.

Difference Feminist view on the family

A Sociological perspective that argues that women have different experiences based on their race, class, and sexuality, leading to varied forms of oppression. This perspective emphasises the intersectionality of gender with other identities in understanding women's roles within the family.

Warm-Bath Theory

A term used to describe Parsons’ Functionalist view of the family. It argues that the family should be a relaxing experience that helps support it’s members (particularly a husband after a hard day at work). It is linked to the stabilisation of adult personalities.

Personal Life Perspective view on the Family

An approach in sociology that is linked with Interactionist ideas. It argues from the viewpoint that individuals define their own family relationships, emphasising the importance of personal experiences and meanings rather than traditional definitions of family.

Nordqvist & Smart

Sociologists and key figure from the Personal Life Perspective who emphasise the subjective meanings individuals attach to their relationships and family structures. Their research focused on families with donor-conceived children and the differing relationships that these children had with biological and social parents.

Dual Burden

A term that is used by Feminists who discuss how women today have to manage both paid work and unpaid domestic duties, leading to a double shift in their responsibilities.

Gender Role Socialisation

An issue discussed by Feminists who argue that the family is a key agent of socialisation that ensures that boys are taught masculine traits, whereas girls are taught feminine ones. Ann Oakley argues that there are differing features of this including Canalisation, Manipulation, Verbal Appellations and Differentiated Activities.