Theories of the family

What are functionalists view of family

They believe in organic analogy (society has sub-systems that need each other)

They believe family is an important sub-system

What are the four essential functions the family performs

1. Stable satisfaction of the sex drive

2. Reproduction of the next generation

3. Socialisation of the young

4. Meeting its members economic needs e.g. food

Criticisms of functionalists view of the family

• Some argue that these functions could be carried out by other institutions or non-nuclear family structures

• feminists argue the family serves the needs of men and oppresses women

• Marxists argue the family meets the needs of capitalism

what is parsons functional fit theory

the structure and functions of the family have changed to meet the needs of society as it evolves from pre-industrial to industrial

Nuclear family fits the needs of industrial family, extended family fits the needs of pre-industrial society

What does Parsons believe are the two essential needs for industrial society

1. A geographically mobile workforce - people need to move for work (this is easier for a nuclear family to do)

2. A socially mobile workforce - people can improve their social status through their own hard work (better for nuclear family because in extended families children live at home where fathers have the highest status but there will be tension if the child has a high status job)

What does Parson believe, due to the loss of functions, that the two essential functions of the family are

1. Primary socialisation of children

2. Stabilisation of adult personalities - they become relaxed at home, preparing them for the demands of work the next day

What is Marxists view of the family

They believe all of societies institutions contribute to inequality of the classes, therefore the family functions are performed for the benefit of the capitalist system

What are the functions Marxists believe the family fulfils for capitalism

1. Inheritance of property

2. Ideological functions (socialisation of beliefs e.g. hierarchy is inevitable, power of a parent accustoms them to someone being in charge of them)

3. A unit of consumption (family creates a market)

Criticisms of Marxists perspective

• they assume nuclear families are the dominant structure in society and ignores a wide variety of other family structures

• Feminists argue that Marxists focus too much of class inequalities and underestimates the importance of gender inequality in families

Feminists view on the family

They believe it oppresses women (unequal division of labour, domestic violence etc.)

What is liberal feminists view

Similar to march of progress, society is becoming more equal for women, in families labour is divided more equally etc.

What is Marxists feminists view

Women’s oppression performs several functions for capitalism:

• women reproduce the labour force

• Women absorb anger

• Women are a reserve army of cheap labour

What is radical feminists view

Men are the enemy, family and marriage are the key institutions in patriarchal society. The answer is separatism, women live independently from men

What is difference feminists view

They believe we can not forget that women have different experiences of family (race, class, sexual orientation etc.)

What is ‘personal life’ view on family

Instead of seeing it as a fixed structure they focus on people’s experiences and relationships.

E.g. friends, ‘auntie’, pets etc. more than just genetics

Criticism of personal life perspective

It ignores what is special about blood / marriage