families

murdock on families

nuclear family

4 functions of family

4 functions of family

sexual

reproductive

educational

economic

ao3 of murdock

doesn’t consider social institutions

ignores conflict in the family

benefits capitalism

parsons functional fit theory

nuclear/extended family

traditional pre-industrial/modern industrial society

structural differentiation

structural differentiation

different structures have taken over many of the functions of the extended family

parsons sees modern industrial society as having 2 essential needs

geographically mobile workforce

socially mobile workforce

parsons 2 functions of nuclear family

primary socialisation

stabilisation of adult personalities

primary socialisation ao1

teaches children norms and values associated with their family

other institutions teach universal norms

primary socialisation ao2

boys and girls learn gender roles

primary socialisation ao3

fem- maintains patriarchy

mx- socialises into capitalistic values

stabilisation of adult personalities ao1

families also helped to prevent adults from behaving in disruptive ways instead encouraging them to follow social norms

warm bath theory

stabilisation of adult personalities ao3

fem- takers of shit

mx- allows for man to go back to work tomorrow to make money for rich

young and willmott 3 family structure changes

pre-industrial

early industrial

modern symmetrical

young and willmott ao3

fem- families being symmetrical is a myth

symmetrical family is not dominant

althusser

family is part of the ISA- perpetuates the ruling class ideology and provides social control

mx functions of family

inheritance of property

ideological functions

unit of consumption

cushioning effect

inheritance of property- engels

primitive communism

family developed as a tool to protect private property and maintain class inequality

ideological functions

socialisation- teaches obedience and reinforces capitalist values

reproduction of labour power- providing future workers and unpaid domestic labour

unit of consumption- zaretsky

buys and consumes goods, targeted by marketing

keeping up with the joneses

rich remain rich through this consumption

cushioning effect- zaretsky

emotional refuge, prevents rebellion, illusion of separation, supporting capitalism

oakley

family is a work place for women

women complete the majority of housework whilst performing other roles

men are the ones that gain from this

fem on symmetrical family

it is a myth as women still perform dual burden and triple shift

domestic violence still occurs

marxist feminists

women are exploited in the family to preserve and perpetuate capitalism

produces labour power where women are the takers of shit as they are doing unpaid work

radical feminism

patriarchy is embedded in every structure

greer- men exercise their patriarchal power and control women

lesbianism/separatism

walby 6 structures

liberal feminists

support equal rights for women

sommerville- policies have bettered womens position

gradual reform