Theories of the family

Liberal Feminism

take a march of progress view in suggesting gender inequality is gradually being overcome through reform and policy change, which changes people's attitudes towards socialisation and challenges stereotypes. For example, the new man is becoming more widespread.

radical feminism

The family and marriage are the key institutions in a patriarchal society, meaning that men benefit from the women's unpaid domestic labour and sexual services, as well as dominate them through violence or the threat of it. Radical feminists also believe the patriarchal system needs to be overturned, and the only way to achieve this is through separatism, meaning women need to organise themselves to live independently to men

Marxist feminism

Capitalism is the main form of women's oppression in the family and this performs several functions for capitalism - Reproducing the labour force - women socialise the next generation of workers .Absorbing men's anger - wives soak up their husband's frustration from being exploited at work. A reserve army of cheap labour - when not needed, women workers can return to their domestic role.

different feminists

not all women will share the experience of oppression; women of different ethnicities, class, age- different experiences of the family.

critics on feminism

ignores role men plays in home, ignores oppressed role of women in socialist societies

• Liberal feminism : accept the system but want to ensure woman have equal rights, want to ensure women have equal rights with men within the present system, achieve these changes through change in law ( sex discrimination act)

• Black feminism : just a branch

• Post modern feminism : just a branch

critics on marxists

• Argued that the perspective could be seen to be dated- industrial revolution (1800) -not just time, changing position of women

• Idea ignores other reasons for getting married and family types

• Many women now work and have independent incomes

• Less likely to marry for economic security

• Functionalists are that it ignore the real benefits of the family such as intimacy and mutual support

• Overly negative about the family, ignore positive things that family can bring

critics on right view

• The new right group of all single parents together and critize them without acknowledging nuclear families that do not socialise their children properly

• Feminist say that the new right hold sexist views of women

• If welfare benefits were cut for single parents it is the children who would unfairly suffer

critics on functionalists pt 1

Optimistic and idealistic view of the family, based largely based on the American middle class family.

• Does not explore any other alternatives of the family

critics on functionalists pt 2

Geographical mobile workforce - traditionally people used to spend their whole lives in the same village whereas now they always travel for jobs.

Parsons argue that it is easier for the compact two generation nuclear family to move than the three generation extended family as better fitted to the need that modern industry has.

Socially mobile workforce - requires skilled and technically competent workforce. Individuals status is achieved by own efforts and ability not ascribed by social and family background

• Parsons argue that nuclear family is better equipped to meet the needs of industrial society. In extended families adult sons live at home in their fathers house where the father has a higher ascribed status. However at work the son may have a higher achieved status than his father= tension

What is the concept of 'new right' in family sociology?

A biologically-based division of labour - the division of labour between a male breadwinner and a female homemaker is natural and biologically determined.

What is the 'new right' perspective on family self-reliance?

Families should be self-reliant - reliance on state welfare leads to a dependency culture and undermines traditional gender roles. It produces a family breakdown and an increase of lone-parent families, which results in social problems due to poor socialisation.

What are the traditional gender roles supported by the 'new right'?

They believe that the male should be the breadwinner and woman the homemakers, against cohabitation and divorce, in favor of marriage.

Who discussed the emergence of the underclass in America and the UK?

Charles Murray (1989) wrote about the emergence of the underclass in America and said that it was increasing in the UK.

What is the Marxist view on the nuclear family?

Marxists see the nuclear family as a tool for teaching submission to the capitalist class.

According to Engels, why does the family exist?

Engels believed the family exists for men to pass their private property onto their biological offspring, especially sons.

What is the 'cult of private life' according to Zaretzky?

Zaretzky describes the 'cult of private life' as the belief that fulfillment can only be found in family life, diverting attention from exploitation.

How does Poulantzas view the role of nuclear families in capitalism?

Poulantzas suggests that nuclear families are indoctrinated to believe in the fairness of capitalism, leading future generations to conform and cooperate with the capitalist system.

What is the main idea behind functionalists' view of society?

Functionalists see society as a human body made up of independent parts that meet needs and maintain it.

What are the 4 essential functions of the nuclear family according to Murdock?

1. Stable satisfaction of the sex drive

2. Reproduction of the next generation

3. Satisfaction of members' economic needs

4. Socialization of the young

What additional functions of the family did Parsons identify?

Parsons argued that the functions of the family depend on the society it is in. He highlighted primary socialization, internalization of society's culture, and structuring of the personality.

What is the concept of stabilisation of adult personalities according to Parsons?

Parsons emphasized that marriage provides emotional security for the couple, counteracting the stresses of everyday life to keep personalities stable.