Sociology theories of the family

Functionalist views of the family

They share a consensus theory to emphasise sharing of norms and values

Parsons family belief

The at man plays instrument leader and that woman plays expressive leader

Parsons( why is family important)

Performs socialisation of children and family ensures that children’s learn norms and values through family

Another function of the family parsons

Stabilisation of adult personality family provides a sense of belonging and purpose in life

Warm bath theory parsons

Where married couples are able to find relief against problems in society which helps strengthen their bonds

Criticism of functionallist views

Theory is very positive and ignore domestic violence - dobash and dobash

Marxists argue that values and norms transmitted by family in primary socialisation supports capitalism

Strengths of functionalism

Shows how social institutions such as the family and education are connected

New right theory of the family

Believe in the golden age, base statistics on those who cause problems for society like single parents and believe welfare state they are too dependent on it

Believe of new right of the family

That children need a male and female role model for effective socialisation

Argue that single parent families cost too much

Causes for increase in family diversity

Increased sexual permissiveness

Secularisation

Breakdown of traditional family values

Greater tolerance of gay lesbian couples

Consequences of new families new right

Fragmenting families fail to provide adequate socialisation. Lone mothers married to the state(state taking in on too much responsibility nanny state)

Charles Murray new right belief

Britain was developing an underclass and believed illegitimacy created culture of inadequate children’s,

Dennis and erdos new right belief

Without fathers effects boys as they lack paternal figure and don’t have responsibilities of a true man

Criticism of new right

Many nuclear families still fail to socialise children right

If welfare benefits cuts its children that suffer

Feminist say new right is sexist and women too can take of man roles

Strengths of new right

Recognise negative effect long term dependcay can have

Marxist views of family

Sees institutions as moulding and shaping individual for capitalism

Marxist inheritance of property(engles)

Engels says private property is primitive communism. And nuclear family based on monogamy on,y developed with emergence of privet property and capitalism

Ideological functions Marxist( zaretsky)

Idoelogy is a set of beliefs that are biased and one sided to serve and support society

Zaretsky belief of family

Family acts as comfort zone for workers against hardships of oppressive workplace . Alienation(wc men powerless at work)

Family as unit of consumption Marxist

Families are usually targeted by capitalism as children’s have pester power

Criticism of Marxist

Assume that all families in capitalist society is nuckerpar family

On,y look at negative sides

Functionalist say people like living in faimilies

Strengths of Marxism

Explains idologicak role of fa,I lies

Marxism helps explain how families first developed

Feminist views(liberal) sharpe and Wilkinson

See changes in law that’s benefiting women, there’s been a march of progress

Gender quake (Wilkinson) change in views wanting to be educated

• votes for women

• Sexual discrimination

• Legislation for w

• Equal pay

Strength of liberal feminist

• make us aware of importance of gender socialisation

Critisism of liberal feminists

Evidence from dv show it’s still majority women suffering

Marxist feminist Bernstein view

Through unpaid labour women perform free tasks

Marxist feminists ansley

Women absorb anger as women are the takers if shit, due to men feeling unworthy at work

Marxist feminists (army of reserved labour)

Women more likely to work part time jobs to do more cheap labour at home for free

Strengths of Marxist feminist

Explain gender roles within family

Explain how family benefits capitalist society and ruling class

Criticism of Marxist feminism

Focus on negative parts of family

Nuclear family of working husband and economically dependent wife

See institutions as contollking

Radical feminist view

Female oppression is due to me patriarchy and it in,y benefits men.

Dobash and dobash radical feminist

Women should organise themselves to live independently

Domestic violence’s extends from women to the children

Purdue radical feminist

Women should do a baby strike and stop having children

Strengths of radical feminist

Have highlighted extent of male domination within family and patriarchal in society

Criticism of radical feminist

Largely based on nuclear family and ignore family diversity

Postmodernism views of the family 3

Individualism means that people choose to act on the basis of what is good for them

Gender equality means male dominance has been challenged

Rapports types of diversity (CLOGS)

Cultural diversity- diffences between different ethnic families

Life stage- depends on age and place at life cycle

Organisational diversity- variations in family structure( division of labour)

Generational diversity- ideas accepted or not accepted in diff generations

So Ali class diversity- different way between diff family social class

Modern and post modern views of th3 family

Work- industrial and digital

Family type- nuclear and no set family type

Culture and indetity- pick and mix society

Ulrich beck postmodernist view

That people choose family and choose relationships

Beck and beck gernshiem postmodernism view

Chaos of love(more choice breaking family)

Pure relationship of confluent love( intimate relationship at start)

Strengths of postmodernism

Explains family diversity

Emphasises how emotions are important in family

Critisim of postmodernism

Laungyage used may be complicated

Over looks how important marriage maybe to some peole