Sociological Perspectives on Family

A set of flashcards covering various sociological perspectives on family, including functionalism, Marxism, feminism, and postmodernism.

Functionalist View

Views the family as a vital institution that benefits individuals and society by maintaining social order and stability.

Four Essential Functions of Family

Murdock identified reproduction, socialisation, economic support, and regulation of sexual behaviour as the four key functions of family.

Parsons' Two Main Functions

Parsons argues that in modern society, the family has two main functions: primary socialisation of children and stabilisation of adult personalities.

Marxist Critique of Family

Marxists argue that the family serves capitalism's interests, maintaining class inequality and legitimising exploitation.

Engels' View on Nuclear Family

Engels believed the monogamous nuclear family developed to ensure the inheritance of private property, which supports class inequality.

Zaretsky's Argument

Zaretsky claims the family provides emotional support for workers, helping them cope with capitalism's alienation but also reinforcing exploitation.

Feminist Perspective on Family

Feminists focus on gender inequality in families, arguing that they are patriarchal institutions benefiting men more than women.

Liberal Feminists

Liberal feminists acknowledge progress through legal and social changes but argue that more reforms are needed for gender equality.

Marxist Feminists

Marxist feminists see women as doubly exploited by capitalism and patriarchy, performing unpaid labor and absorbing male frustrations.

Radical Feminists

Radical feminists argue for the abolition of traditional family structures to achieve true equality, as patriarchy is deeply entrenched.

Difference Feminists

Difference feminists highlight that women's experiences in families vary based on class, race, and sexuality.

New Right Perspective

New Right thinkers emphasize the traditional nuclear family as crucial for a stable society and blame social issues on family structures.

Murray's Claims

Murray argues that children raised without both parents, especially without a father, are more likely to face social disadvantages.

Postmodern View of Family

Postmodern sociologists argue there is no single 'normal' family, as society has become more diverse and fluid.

Giddens' “Pure Relationships”

Giddens describes relationships based on emotional satisfaction rather than duty, suggesting a shift in how familial relationships form.

Negotiated Families

Beck describes families as ‘negotiated’ structures in which roles are chosen and adapted through discussion.

Stacey's Family Diversity

Stacey argues that family diversity reflects individual freedom, including arrangements like same-sex families and cohabitation.

What does fletcher say about the family

He said they perform two peripheral functions like socialization and care

What does horwitz say about the family

He says the family teaches behavior through love and emotional closeness

what is the welfare state

Its the system of government that supports the unemployed,sick and poor

what does murray say about single parent families

He says that single parent families and benefit create the dependent culture and weaken society

What dies dennis and erdos say sbout fatherless boys

He said that boys raised without fathers , are more likely to underachieve or turn to crime

What does david cameron say about the family

He praised marriage as the bedrock of a strong society

What do new right thinkers generally promote

The traditional family and minimal government and preference