(75) Sociology: Sociological theories of the family summary

Overview of Family Theories

• Six key theories to address in the study of family:

  • Functionalism

  • Marxism

  • Feminism

  • New Right

  • Social Action Approaches (Interactionism)

  • Postmodernism

Functionalism

• Functionalism is a structural theory; it is macro and consensus-oriented.

• Key Roles of Family:

  • Prepares children for society through socialization, teaching them norms and values.

  • Considered a functional prerequisite necessary for the survival of society alongside the economy.

• Key Thinkers:

  • Murdoch (1949): Conducted research across 250 societies, identifying four key functions:

    • Sexual Regulation: Adult sexual gratification and regulation.

    • Reproduction: The family reproduces the next generation.

    • Socialization: Families socialize children into societal values.

    • Economic Support: Providing for children economically.

  • Parsons (1955): Suggested two essential functions:

    • Primary Socialization of children.

    • Stabilization of Adult Personalities: The family serves as emotional support (warm bath theory).

  • Young et al. (1970s): Acknowledged changing family structures, promoting symmetrical families and joint conjugal roles.

The New Right

• Evolved from Functionalism with a political orientation, supporting traditional family structures.

• Sees traditional nuclear families as optimal for child-rearing.

• Key Thinkers:

  • Murray: Criticized single-parent families; linked them to welfare dependency and moral decay.

  • Dennis: Argued that single-parent families lead to juvenile delinquency due to lack of male role models.

Marxism

• Critiques capitalism, asserting that the family perpetuates class inequalities.

• Key Roles of Family:

  • Raises children who become future workers and consumers in capitalist society.

  • Functions as an ideological state apparatus, passing down ruling class values.

• Key Thinkers:

  • Engels: Focused on property inheritance, maintaining wealth within the upper class.

  • Zaretsky: Suggested the family serves as a buffer zone, relieving men's work stress, and discusses 'pester power' of children influencing consumption.

Feminism

• Explores the oppression of women within patriarchal families, emphasizing gender inequality.

• Various branches exist:

  • Oakley: Critiqued the dual burden on women, managing both paid work and home responsibilities.

  • Radical Feminism (Dobash & Dobash): Highlighted domestic violence and marriage as legitimizing violence against women.

  • Marxist Feminism (Ansley): Discussed women as "takers of frustration," bearing the brunt of men's anger stemming from work-related stress.

Social Action Approach (Interactionism)

• Emphasizes individual experiences of family life.

• Focuses on unique definitions of family beyond traditional structures.

• Key Thinkers:

  • Packett and Clark: Parenting seen as a trial-and-error process.

  • Morgan: Family practices constitute the feeling of belonging.

  • Weeks and Smart: Definition of family includes fictive relatives, emphasizing personal choice in family formation.

Postmodernism

• Recognizes the diversity and fragmentation of family structures in contemporary society.

• Highlights the shift toward pure relationships, characterized by personal fulfillment rather than obligation.

• Key Thinkers:

  • Beck: Suggested that diversity creates risk and uncertainty regarding family roles.

  • Stacey: Discussed how divorce contributes to extended family networks, highlighting ongoing relationships despite separation.