theories of the family

What is the Functionalist perspective on the family?

Functionalism is a consensus theory which argues society is based on shared norms and values (value consensus). Functionalists see society like a biological organism where institutions such as the family, education and religion work together to maintain stability.

Why do Functionalists see the family as important?

Functionalists argue the family is a key social institution because it performs essential functions for individuals and society, helping maintain social order and ensure society continues.

What is Murdock's (1949) view of the family?

George Peter Murdock argued the nuclear family is universal because it performs four essential functions: stable satisfaction of the sex drive, reproduction, primary socialisation and economic support.

How did Murdock research the family?

Murdock studied 250 societies and concluded that the nuclear family exists universally because it fulfils essential functions.

How does the family provide stable satisfaction of the sex drive according to Murdock?

The family regulates sexual relationships through monogamy, preventing social disorder caused by unrestricted sexual competition.

How does the family perform the function of reproduction according to Murdock?

The family produces the next generation, allowing society to continue.

How does the family perform primary socialisation according to Murdock?

The family teaches children society's norms and values, creating value consensus.

How does the family provide economic support according to Murdock?

The family provides members with food, shelter and financial support.

Evaluate Murdock's theory of the universal functions of the family.

Critics argue Murdock exaggerates the importance of the nuclear family because other institutions can perform these functions. Schools can socialise children, welfare states can provide economic support and relationships outside the family can provide emotional support.

How do feminists criticise Murdock?

Feminists argue Murdock presents a romanticised view of the family and ignores inequality. They argue women perform unpaid domestic labour while men benefit from women's work.

How do Marxists criticise Murdock?

Marxists argue Murdock ignores class inequality and fails to recognise that the family may benefit capitalism rather than society as a whole.

What is Parsons' (1955) Functional Fit Theory?

Parsons argues the family changes depending on the type of society. He argues the nuclear family fits industrial society, while extended families suited pre-industrial society.

How does Parsons compare pre-industrial and industrial families?

Pre-industrial societies were dominated by extended families with multiple generations living together, whereas industrial societies require smaller nuclear families because of increased mobility.

Why does Parsons argue nuclear families fit industrial society?

Parsons argues industrial societies require geographical and social mobility, which nuclear families support because they are smaller and less tied to traditional expectations.

How does the nuclear family support geographical mobility according to Parsons?

A nuclear family is easier to move for employment because a couple can relocate more easily than an extended family containing grandparents, parents and children.

How does the nuclear family support social mobility according to Parsons?

The nuclear family allows children to achieve status through their own ability and education rather than being restricted by family expectations or inherited positions.

What functions did Parsons argue the pre-industrial family performed?

The pre-industrial family was a unit of production, education, welfare and healthcare.

What two functions does the modern family specialise in according to Parsons?

The modern family specialises in primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities.

How does the family perform primary socialisation according to Parsons?

The family teaches children language, norms, values and social expectations, preparing them to participate in society.

What is Parsons' stabilisation of adult personalities function?

Parsons argues the family provides adults with emotional support, relaxation and a place to release workplace tensions, helping workers return to employment more effectively.

How does Peter Laslett (1972) criticise Parsons?

Laslett studied English households from 1564–1821 and found most households were nuclear before industrialisation, suggesting Parsons was wrong that extended families dominated pre-industrial society.

How do Young and Willmott criticise Parsons' view of industrialisation?

Young and Willmott argue industrialisation did not immediately create nuclear families because many working-class families remained extended.

What is the mum-centred extended family?

Young and Willmott argue some working-class families maintained extended family relationships centred around women, especially mothers, daughters and female relatives.

What support did mum-centred extended families provide?

They provided childcare, emotional support and financial assistance.

How does Anderson (1980) criticise Parsons?

Anderson studied Preston and argued extended families survived because the benefits outweighed the costs, including childcare, financial assistance and help during illness.

What is the Marxist perspective on the family?

Marxism is a conflict theory arguing society is divided between the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, and the proletariat, who sell their labour. Marxists argue the family supports capitalism.

How does Engels explain the origin of the family?

Engels argues the family developed because of private property. Men created monogamous marriage and patriarchal families to ensure their biological children inherited wealth.

What does Engels mean by "the world historical defeat of the female sex"?

Engels argues women became controlled by men when private property developed because inheritance systems created patriarchal families.

How does the family perform an ideological function according to Marxists?

The family teaches ideas that support capitalism, including that hierarchy is normal, authority should be obeyed and inequality is inevitable.

How does the family prepare children for capitalism according to Marxists?

Marxists argue children learn obedience to parents, which prepares them to accept authority from employers in the workplace.

What does Zaretsky (1976) argue about the family?

Zaretsky argues capitalism creates the illusion that the family is a private escape from work, but the family still supports capitalism through unpaid labour and exploitation.

How does Zaretsky explain the family as an illusion?

The family appears to be a place of love and refuge, but women perform unpaid domestic labour and capitalism continues to benefit.

How does the family act as a unit of consumption according to Marxists?

Marxists argue families maintain capitalism by purchasing goods. Companies target families through advertising and children influence spending through "pester power".

Evaluate Marxist explanations of the family.

Marxism explains how families can support capitalism but feminists argue Marxists focus too much on class and ignore gender inequality. Functionalists argue Marxists ignore genuine emotional benefits of families.

How do Marxists ignore family diversity according to critics?

Marxists often assume the nuclear family is dominant, ignoring lone parents, same-sex families and chosen families.

What is the Feminist perspective on the family?

Feminists argue the family is a source of gender inequality and patriarchy, although different feminist approaches disagree about the causes and solutions.

What is Liberal Feminism's view of the family?

Liberal feminists argue equality is gradually improving through legal reforms, changing attitudes and equal opportunities.

What examples of legal reforms do Liberal Feminists use?

They use examples such as the Equal Pay Act (1970) and Sex Discrimination Act (1975) to show progress towards equality.

Evaluate Liberal Feminism.

Liberal feminists are criticised by other feminists for being too optimistic and ignoring deeper structures that create inequality.

What is Marxist Feminism's explanation of women's oppression?

Marxist feminists argue capitalism causes women's oppression because women reproduce labour power and provide unpaid domestic labour.

How do women reproduce labour power according to Marxist Feminists?

Women give birth to future workers and socialise children so they are prepared for capitalist society.

How do women provide unpaid domestic labour according to Marxist Feminists?

Women maintain the workforce by cooking, cleaning and caring for workers without payment.

What does Fran Ansley (1972) argue about women's role in capitalism?

Ansley describes wives as "takers of shit" because women absorb men's frustration caused by capitalist exploitation.

What is Radical Feminism's view of the family?

Radical feminists argue patriarchy is the main cause of women's oppression and the family is the main institution maintaining male dominance.

What solutions do Radical Feminists suggest?

They argue traditional family structures should be abolished and support alternatives such as separatism.

What does Germaine Greer (2000) argue?

Greer supports alternative female-centred households as a way to escape patriarchal family structures.

How does Somerville (2000) criticise Radical Feminism?

Somerville argues radical feminists underestimate improvements such as divorce rights, employment opportunities and reproductive freedom.

What is Difference Feminism?

Difference feminists argue women do not all experience family life in the same way because experiences vary by class, ethnicity and sexuality.

How do Black Feminists challenge traditional feminist views?

Black feminists argue families can provide support, protection from racism and a positive source of identity.

What is the Personal Life Perspective?

The Personal Life Perspective rejects structural theories and argues sociologists should study how individuals define family and the meanings relationships have.

How does the Personal Life Perspective criticise Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism?

It argues these theories treat people as passive and ignore individual meanings and choices.

What are fictive kin relationships?

Fictive kin are relationships where friends are treated as relatives, such as calling a parent's close friend "auntie".

What are chosen families?

Chosen families are networks of supportive relationships, often important among LGBTQ+ communities, including friends and former partners.

What did Becky Tipper find about pets and family?

Tipper found children often see pets as family members.

What did Nordqvist and Smart (2014) find about donor-conceived families?

They found family is not simply based on genetics. Parents argued being a parent depends on love, care and time invested.

Evaluate the Personal Life Perspective.

Its strength is recognising family diversity and explaining modern relationships. However, critics argue it is too broad because if everything meaningful counts as family, the distinctive features of family relationships may be lost.

How can Functionalism be used in an essay on whether the family benefits society?

Functionalists such as Murdock and Parsons argue the family benefits society through socialisation, stability and support. Critics argue Marxists and feminists show the family can reproduce inequality.

How can Marxism be used against the view that the family benefits society?

Marxists such as Zaretsky argue the family benefits capitalism by creating workers, maintaining ideology and encouraging consumption.

How can Feminism be used in an essay on whether the family is patriarchal?

Radical and Marxist feminists argue the family reinforces male dominance through patriarchy and women's unpaid labour.

How can Liberal Feminism challenge the view that the family is patriarchal?

Liberal feminists argue families are becoming more equal due to legal changes, changing attitudes and increased opportunities for women.

How can the Personal Life Perspective evaluate structural theories?

It argues structural theories ignore individual meanings and fail to recognise diverse family forms and relationships.

What are the strengths of Functionalist explanations of the family?

Functionalism explains how families create social stability, socialise children and support individuals.

What are the weaknesses of Functionalist explanations of the family?

Functionalism ignores inequality, patriarchy and family diversity, presenting the family as more harmonious than it may be.