Topic 3- Theories of the family

What sociologists argue for functionalist theories of the family?

Murdock (1949)

Parsons (1955)

What does Murdock argue?

The family has 4 essential functions to meet the needs of society and its members

What are the 4 functions of the family (Murdock)?

Stable satisfaction of the sex drive

Reproduction of the next generation

Socialisation of the young

Meeting its members’ economic needs

What are examples of the 4 functions?

Having sex with one partner

Having children

Share societies norms and values

Food and shelter

What are the criticisms of Murdock (1949)?

Functionalists neglect conflict and exploitation

Marxists say that family meets the needs of capitalism, not each other’s

What is the ‘Functional fit’ theory?

The functions that the family perform will depend on the kind of society in which its found

What does Parson’s mean by a loss of functions?

When society industrialises, it changes from extended to nuclear and loses its functions. Family changes from a unit of production into a unit of consumption only.

What are the 2 functions of modern society (Parsons)?

Primary socialisation of children

Stabilisation of adult personalities (family is a place where adults can release tension )

What are some criticisms of Parsons’s work?

Outdated

Abuse is very high- is family really a place for stabiliation?

What are the sociologists that argue for the marxist perspective of the family?

Engels

Poulantzas

Zaretsky

What does Engel argue?

Inheritance of property → patriarchal monogomous nuclear families wanted to birth sons so they could inherit family wealth and pass it on. Only with the overthrow of capitalism and private ownership is when women will be free from inequality.

What is a criticism of Engel?

Many families are passing down their wealth to their daughters

Marxists assume the nuclear family is dominant

What does Poulantzas argue?

Ideological functions → Family performs ideological functions for capitalism. The family socialises children into the idea that inequality and the hierarchy is inevitable

What are examples of ideological functions?

Parental power over children → teaches them someone will always be in charge, prepares them for capitalist employers

What is a criticism of Poulantzas?

Functionalists argue that Marxists ignore the very real benefits that family have

What does Zaretsky (1976) argue?

Family is a unit of consumption → Family plays a major role in generating profits for capitalists

What are examples of families being a unit of consumption?

Media targets children and use ‘pester power’ to persuade parents to spend more

What is an evaluation of Zaretsky’s theory?

Some families are anti-capitalist and socialise their children to be critical of the ruling class

What is the liberal feminist view on society?

Changing attitudes, still inequality but getting better

Proven by the 1975 sex discrimination act

What is the liberal feminist view on the family?

Similar to ‘March of progress view’ like Young+Willmot

Men are doing more domestic labour, parents socialise sons and daughters equally

What are criticisms of of the liberal feminist view?

Other feminists disagree as LF fail to see the underlying cause for women’s oppression and don’t believe changes in laws will prevent inequality

What is the marxist feminist view on society?

The main cause of women’s oppression is not men but capitalism

What is the marxist feminist view on the family?

Women absorb anger→ Fran Ansley (1972) say wives are ‘takers of shit’

Women are a reserve army of cheap labour

What is the radical feminist view on society?

Men are the enemy

Family are key institutions

What is the radical feminist view on the family?

political lesbianism- heterosexual relationships will always be oppressive, women x women saves them from oppression

What does Germaine Greer (2000) argue?

argues for the creation of ‘matrilocal’ households as an alternative to traditional families.

Who criticises radical feminism?

Jenny Sommerville (2000)

What are criticisms of radical feminism?

argues that radicals fail to see improvement

heterosexual attraction makes political lesbianism unlikely

What is difference feminism?

Argues that lesbians, heterosexual, white, black and middle class women have different experiences

What is evidence for difference feminism?

White feminists neglect black womens’ experiences of racial oppression.

Black women see family as support

What sociologists argue for the personal life perspective of the family?

Nordqvist

Smart

Vanessa May (2011)

What are the 2 key concepts Nordqvist and Smart argue for?

Beyond ties of blood and marriage

Donor-received children

What does beyond ties of blood marriage mean?

PLP→ range of other personal or intimate relationships that are important despite not being conventionally defined as family. Individuals that give a sense of belonging, identity and relatedness.

What are examples of beyond ties of blood and marriage?

Relationship with friends

Relationships with pets

Relationships with dead relatives

What is an evaluation of ties beyond blood and marriage?

PLP recognises that blood relations are not always positive as some people may be stuck in abusive households/relationships

What do Nordqvist and Smart say about donor conceived children?

Erin, a mother, defines a mum as someone who puts their time and effort in to raise someone, and not the genetic side of it all

What are some difficulties with donor conceived children for lesbian couples?

Problems with inequality between the parents as the donor parent might be treated as the ‘real’ mother.

What is an evaluation for donor conceived children?

Accused of too broad a view and ignores what is special about relationships based on blood ties and marriage.

What sociologist also believes in the personal life perspective?

Vanessa May (2011) -beyond ties of blood and marriage