Topic 3 - Theories of the Family

Murdock (1949) - functionalism

The nuclear family was functionally important as it performs four functions to meet the needs of society and its members:

1. Stable satisfaction of the sex drive

2. Reproduction of the next generation

3. Socialisation of the young

4. Meeting its members’ economic needs

Parsons (1955) - functionalism (2)

Functional Fit Theory

The family depends on the society in which its found, which will also influence its structure

Industrialisation brought with it a shift from the extended family to the nuclear family

Parsons (1955) - functionalism (3)

The extended family in pre-industrial society functioned to:

1. Meet basic needs of extended kin (i.e. food)

2. Educate children in family’s specialised skills

3. Responsibility for health of children (no NHS)

4. Responsibility for welfare of the disabled and elderly

The nuclear family in industrial society functions to:

1. Primary socialisation of children

2. Stabilisation of adult personalities

Young and Willmott (1993) - functionalism

Criticism of Parsons

The extended family was not dominant as most families had children and adults working together, so the nuclear family was actually dominant

Anderson (1980) - functionalism

Criticism of Parsons

The family did not become nuclear in industrial society as the working class extended family was popular and had many benefits

Young and Willmott (1973) - functionalism

Criticism of Parsons

The extended family is somewhat important in modern society because it means that families aren’t reliant on support and living standards got better

Engels (1884) - marxism

Function 1 - Inheritance of Private Properties

As production developed, wealth increased and private property became more important; the patriarchal nuclear family was important so that men could be certain of who they were passing their wealth onto

Zaretsky (1976) - marxism

Function 2 - Ideological Function

The family cannot compensate for the frustrations of work

He rejects the idea that the family offers the illusion of a haven/cushioning effect from the frustrations of the exploitation in the capitalist workplace

Beechy (1977) - marxist feminism

Women reproduce the labour force through domestic labour, as they socialise the next generation and maintain the current one

Women are a reserve army of cheap labour, as they can be ‘let go’ from their job much easier than men can, consequently leaving them to go back to domestic labour

Ansley (1972) - marxist feminism

Women absorb anger as they are ‘takers of shit’ because men are dominant, which links to domestic violence

Delphy and Leonard (1992) - radical feminism

Maintaining Patriarchy

The family role and marriage are key institutions to maintain patriarchy, their view is:

1. The family is an institution which allows men to dominate women

2. Women are expected to give up their name upon marriage, suggesting ownership

3. Socialisation into traditional gender norms

Smart (2014) - postmodernism

Personal Life Perspective

There are a range of other personal or intimate relationships that are important to people even though they may not be conventionally defined as family, such as pets, best friends or dead relatives