Sociology Families and Households

Murdock (1949)

Argue that the family is universal in a nuclear family with a heterosexual couple and dependent children.

There is a clear division of labour between husband and wife - the husband is the breadwinner who earns for the family and the wife is the housewife who does domestic labour and childcare.

He argue that there are 4 essential functions that the family performs.

Reproductive function

Essential for the survival of society and without reproduction, it would cease to exist

Sexual function

This creates a powerful emotional bond between husband and wife which encourage fidelity and commitment to family life. It contributes to stability within the family as it sets out the moral rules.

Economic function

provide economic things which are vital for sustaining children lives for example, shelter, food and protection.

Parents take responsibility for their welfare by bringing home an income,

.

Educational function

this is done through primary socialization which is necessary to fit into society. This is by learning norms and values. Culture can be passed from generation to generation.

Criticisms of Murdock

• the definition of family is a 'product of time' and is ethnocentric (based on view on Western families).

• Interprevists argue that he is value-laden where he fails to acknowledge that families are the 'product of culture'.

• also very dated and fails to take account of moderns social processes.

• largely correct that the family are the fundamental building blocks of society and most sees it as the most important aspect.

Parsons (1955) 'Irreducible Functions' theory

Argue that in the past, the family was a 'multi-functional' unit where it was the 'jack of all trades'. Now, there are only two 'irreducible functions that the family performs: the primary socialization of children and the stablisation of adult personalities.

Parsons (1955) 'Functional-Fit' theory

He also argue the type of society will depend on the structure of the family. He argue that the nuclear family is 'functionally-fit' in modern industrial society and the extended family is 'functionally-fit' in the pre-industrial traditional society. There are two reasons behind this.

Geographical mobile workforce

In the past, people stayed in the same places but in modern society, as businesses and jobs move so does the family. This means that the nuclear family is much easier as it is more small and compact.

Social mobile workforce

Modern society is now achieved because of rapid technological changes. This means a son can have a higher status than his father which results in tension and conflict. The adult son would move out and start his own nuclear family.

Criticisms of Parsons

• accused of idealizing the family.

• Fails to explore possible differences between different social classes and ethnic minority groups.

• His beliefs are 'basic and irreducible' which prevents him from examining alternatives.

• He sees socialisation as a one-way process.

• sees it as a distinct institution which is separated from aspects of social life.

The New Right perspective of the Family

They argue that the growth of family diversity are the main causes of family diversity and holds the view that there is only one 'correct type' of family - the nuclear family. They believe that the introduction of the welfare state have led to a dependency culture.

Criticisms of the New Right

• Exaggerates the decline of the nuclear family.

• Feminists argue that gender roles are socially constructed and argues against the argument of divorce being bad.

• Most single parents are not welfare scroungers and that it is difficult to work.

• Chester argue that most children are in a nuclear family arrangement.

Marxist perspective on the Family

They argue that society are contributing towards capitalism and maintaining class inequality. This includes the family

Inheritance of property

Engels argue that in the primitive communison, there was no private property and there was no restrictions on sexual relationship which was called a promiscuous horde. As the capitalist system developed, father needed their legitimate heirs to pass down their wealth and their private property which have created the monogamous nuclear family.

Ideological functions

Argue that the family performs key ideological functions for capitalism.

• Does this by socializing children telling them that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable

• Zaretsky (1976) argue that the family performs ideological functions by providing an apparent from the harsh and exploitative world of capitalism.

• Focused on how the family helped the capitalist economy where the proletariat having power and control.

Unit of consumption

Plays a major role into generating profit from bourgeoisie as it is an important market for goods sales.

• Urges families to consume the latest products.

• The media targets children

• Must be mocked and stigmatized by peers for not having the latest product.

Benefits capitalism and profit not for society.

Marxist Feminists

• sees the family as a major obstacle for female emancipation.

• argue that the family is patriarchal and the motion of equality is a myth.

• argue that domestic labour serves the capitalist and exploitative society.

• the obstacle to gender equality in employment as they are a reserve army of labour.

• argue that husband pays for production to upkeep the future labour.

• ANSLEY (1972) argue that emotional support acts as safety value. The frustration is absorbed by the wife increasing domestic violence.

• COOPER (1972) argue the family is an ideological conditioning device.

• FEELEY (1972) argue the structure of family relationship socializes children to be accepted in a class based society.

Criticisms of Marxist Feminists

• MORGAN argue that nuclear family are now becoming less common.

• Ignores fact that women have made progress.

• Exaggerate harm caused to women and neglects effects of non-family relationships.

• Tends to portray as passive victims of capitalism and exploitation.

Liberal Feminists

• Focuses on patriarchy and sees men as the problem of gender inequality.

• However, there have been improvements politically/legally and socially.

*this includes voting rights, legislations on sex discrimination and equality at work.

• They are not completely happy with the changes and believes that gentle persuasion convinces men.

• Sees no need for political and social revoluntary chances.

• Takes a march of progress view.

Criticisms of Liberal Feminists

• There is evidence outlining that changes does have effects.

• Argue that there are different experiences showing that men are still not involved in childcare.

• Still earns around 70% of men's earning and those working shorter/part-time are likely to be housewives.

Radical feminists

• emphasizes way that the family is a patriarchal institution

• argue that men dominate women via violence and threat and believes that women must live independently building an alternative society.

• Criticises the liberal feminists for not being proactive and argues that LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS are the solutions out of the patriarchal society.

• DELPHY AND LEONARD (1992) believe that women provide unpaid services being a sexual partner.

*reinforces women to not resist husbands but is difficult.

CRITICISMS:

• Provides unrepresentative sample

• Provides comprehensive analysis.

• Makes sweeping statements

• GREER (2000) argue that the family opposes women in the roles of wives, mothers and daughter.

CRITICISMS:

• She is VERY PROACTIVE

• Makes sweeping statements

• Offers little in way of practical policy proposals.

Difference feminists

• argue that not all women shares the same experience and so cannot generalize.

• It can be based on their ethnicity e.g. a white feminist might neglect a black feminist's experiences.

• BARRETT AND MCINTOSH (1982) believes that the family is anti-social where it promotes selfishness and private interest.

• NICHOLSON (1997) believes that there is a powerful ideology giving support to the positive image of the family.

Criticisms of Difference Feminists.

• Avoids mistakes made by making sweeping generalization on the effects on women.

• Sensitive to experiences.

• Loses sight of inequalities between men and women.

Postmodern perspectives

They believe that we are now live in a postmodern society which makes life less predictable

There are no longer any generalisation as technology has dissolved barriers of time and space. They also argue that it is more fragmented with a broad diversity of subcultures.

GIDDENS developed the idea of 'romantic love' and how in the past, people got married for economic circumstances in order to be stable. However, in the 18th century the idea of romantic love (which was started by the aristocracy) came.

○ Over time, plastic sexuality came and so women no longer preserve their virginity for the 'one' and so have sexual intercourse with more than one partner before marriage. Confluent love have also replaced romantic love.

○ Becks follows a similar argument to GIDDENS that changes are shaped by modernity but it can cause potential conflict.

○ This is called individualism where people had less choice but had offered security and stability.

○ STACEY believes that society have created a 'postmodern society' where individuals no longer think there is one dominant type of family.

They argue that same sec families plays a big part in postmodern family development as it discourages tolerance. This makes children more hostile and open-minded.

Criticism of the postmodern perspective

GIDDENS:

• Explains the increasing divorce rates and diversity

• He might underestimate degree.

• Women have made sense of personal choice.

• The continuing popularity of marriage is seen as a quest.

BECKS:

• Love is craved and is hard to find.

• Believes there is a contradiction leading to the normal chaos of love.

• A little over-pessimistic.

STACEY:

• Acknowledges that it does not create instability.