theories of the family

Radical feminists views on the nuclear family

Reinforces a power imbalance where men hold authority over women which socialises children into these same harmful gender roles

Womens economic dependence on men traps them into abusive & unsatisfying relationships

Family is a common site for DV (housewives guide 30/40’s)

Radical feminists goals

Abolish the family through separatism & forming matrifocal households (Mosuo tribe)/ political lesbianism

Evaluations of radical feminism

Unlikely the family will be abolished

Lesbianism cannot be forced

Fail to recognise womens position has improved

Marxist feminists views & sociologist

Ansely ‘women are takers of shit’

Women absorb the anger that would otherwise be directed at capitalism - servicing the current workforce by keeping them emotionally stable to continue working

Unpaid labour done by housewives reproduces the labour power of the next generation at no cost

Marxist feminist solution

Symmetrical family

Reduce the exploitation of women though both genders having equal roles in and out of the home

Evaluations of marxist feminism

Women can choose to work & they do

Women can & do take control of their relationships (2/3 of divorces are initiated by women)

Liberal feminist critique & sociologist

Sharpe

Men are beginning to do some more housework

Women have more opportunities (equal pay act 1970 & sex discrimination act 1975)

Intersectional feminist critique

By regarding the family as purely negative white feminists ignore that it can be a source of support & resistance against racism in wider society (safe haven)

What are 3 marxist theories

ISA - Althusser

Cushioning affect - Zaretsky

Consumerism - Marcuse

How is the family an ISA

Socialises children into ruling class beliefs & values so they accept their lower position in society as normal & unchangeable

The hierarchy seen in most families teaches children that there always be someone in authority who they must obey - mirroring a capitalist workplace

What is the cushioning affect

The family is an escape from oppression & exploitation at work where they can be valued as individuals & have some control

- softens the impact of capitalism & justifies the working class position as natural

What is consumerism

Capitalists created the family to build demand for goods

• adverts target children who persuade their parents to sped more (family packaged goods)

Evaluations of marxism

Wide variety of family structures

Focus on class - ignores other inequities

Ignores benefits given by gov

What are 3 functionalist theories

4 functions - Murdock

Functional fit - Parsons

Specialist functions - parsons

What are the 4 functions

1.reproduction of the next generation

2.meeting its members economic needs

3.satisfy sex drive

4.socialisation of young (teaching norms and values)

Critique of Murdock

The dark side of the family - central location for oppression and violence (mainly towards women and children)

2 women are killed by a partner or ex every week

What is the functional fit theory

Family types change in response to society & the functions depend on which kind of society its found in

What are the specialised functions

1.Primary socialisation - teaching basic skills & values so children can be integrated into society

2.stabilisation of adult personalities - family is a place to relax & release tension (warm bath theory)

Critique of Parsons

Willmott & Young

. The dominant pre-industrial family was nuclear due to a short life expectancy

. Studies show the extended family continues to exist because it performs important functions especially with both parents working (support with children)

The sociology of personal life perspectives

Value individualism

Believe we are in constant search to design our own lives (including family structure)

Types of family structures beyond blood ties

Fictive kin

Pets as family

Relationships with the dead

Chosen families

Donor-conceived, adopted, IVF children

What are fictive kin

Friends and individuals you classify as family

How can pets be seen as family

Pet owners commonly believe their pets adopt their personalities, treat them like humans, show equal amounts of love as they would children and buy them gifts and goodies like children

Examples of relationships with the dead

Rainbow babies - dolls are sometimes used to provide comfort during time of grief

Tarot cards - to communicate with dead relatives

Imagining the spirit has moved into something else & continues to shape the individuals identity and actions

What are chosen families

Made up of people who share a connection, similar experiences, and maybe fall into the same sub-culture

Common amongst LGBT community due to their treatment from their blood families & wider society

Evaluations of the personal life perspective

Strength - helps us understand how people construct and define their relationships

Weakness - ignore what is special and unique about blood and marriage ties