Families scholars

Parsons - Functional fit theory, The type of family that fits a socieities structure and the functions it performs change as society changes. He suggested that the nuclear family formed as an adaption to industrialisation. Functions of extended family needs to be replaced as nuclear families becane socially and geographically mobile. Nuclear family is a better fit for modern society as people move for work and are rewarded for their efforts with promotions, leading up to movement in the class system.

Sex role theory - roles in the family were divided based upon characteristics and gendered socialisation. Instrumental role taken on by male - economic support through going to work and provides discipline. Expressive role taken on by women - emotional support and nurturing role taken on by mums.

Primary socialisation - Families taught children social norms and values. However he arhues that it specifically taught children the norms and values associated with their family. While other institutions taught children the universal norms of wider society.

Warm bath theory - families helped to prevent adults from behaving in disruptive or dysfunctional ways instead of encouraging them to conform to social normsm especially at times of stress. The family provides emotional support to its members. Adults are also able to indulge in childish tendancies through playing with their children. The actions stablise adult personalities and provide a sense of fufilement. The idea that when a man came home from a hard day of work he could relax into the family like a warm bath and it would refresh him for the next days work.

Engles - The nuclear monogamous famil emerged due to capitalism. The nuclear family exists to aid capitalism as it is easier to pass on property and land when a relationship is monogamous and the father and children are easy to determine.

Murdock - He conducted a survey of 250 societies and determained that there are four universal functions of the nuclear family. 1. Sexual - he believed that stable satisfaction of the sex drive within monogamous heterosexual relationships would prevent jealousy. 2. Reproductive - he argues that reproduction is necissary for ensuring the survival of society. 3. education - family is the primary agent of socialisation. 4. economic - parents teach children gender roles. He argued that these gender roles are an important part of the economic functions of the family.

Murray - The traditional nuclear family structure is under threat. He believes the decline of nuclear families leads to increased levels of single parenthood and teenage pregnancies. He argues that this creates an ‘underclass’

McKeown - The main factor for the mortality rates decline was improved nutrition. He stated this was due to the social and economic improvement that bought down the death rate rather than health innovations.

Tranter - He disputed McKeown arguing that around ¾ of the fall in death rate between 1850-1970 could be put down to the elimnation of preventable diseases.

Beck and Giddens - Idividuations thesis, The rise of individualism has been key. Anyone can choose their own life course now, it is not dictated by rigid class, gender structures. People are free to establish the type of relationship or family unit that works best for them. Giddens further stated - if an individual feels their needs are not being met in a relationship or family unit they will stop or leave that relationship rather than staying in an empty shell type relationship. We also see relationships as part of a self discovery journey. Beck further stated - we are living in a risk consciencous society. We are aware of the risks and benefits and calculate accordingly. ie the risks of marriage is divorce. We end up in negotiated families, the couple negotiate on what would work for them.

Vanessa May - Criticised Beck and Giddens, this only applies to white middle class people, many couples from different ethnic and social groups do not have the same level of choice or freedom. They may be constrained due to economic or cultural factors.

Carol Smart - We should replace the word family with personal life. Sociologists also are seeing a new trend of people not feeling obligated to maintain a relationship with family members now - friends and peers are the new family type and main support network.

The Rapoports - They argue family diversity is the new norm in society. There are different types of diversity. Family diversity represenys greater freedom of choice and the widespread acceptance of different cultures and ways of life.

Pitcher - In western europe today childhood is distinctly seperate from adulthood. With children specifically protected and regulated and having a seperate set of rights and responsibilities from the adult population.

Philippe Aries - In the middle ages in portraits children appeared as ‘mini adults’ which proves that childhood is socially constructed due to the fact in the middle ages it was not socially constructed.

Linda Pollock - She strongly criticised Aries and in particular his methodology. She argud that just because children appeared to take adult roles in artwork it does not mean that there was no concept of childhood. She also argues that it did not mean that the parents did not care for their children or see them as requiring special care and nurturing.

Sue Palmer - Childhood has become toxic in contemporary society. For example children are becoming obese because they dont play outside, they are being exploited by advertisers into many false needs, they spend too much time on screens rather than spending time with peers. Their early years are becoming more school rather than play with targets and testing. This contunues through the rest of education leading to high levels of anxiety.

Frank Furedi - He argues that childhood today is affected by paranoid parenting. He argues that the media and policy makers put the blame for all manners of social problems down to parents. Different types of parenting can affect childhood.

Donezelot - Argues that the state uses social policy that are built on changes in ideas about childhood development and child health to control families. He argues that its used as a form of survaillance.

Melanie Philips - New right sociologist argues that children today are too privileged, protected and furnished with rights and are now sufficiently controlled by parents. She argues that liberal ideas about childrens rights coupled with the influence of the media and peer groups means that children today lack disicpline and are sometimes ‘feral’ and deeply embedded in youth and gang culture

Postman - He argues that childhood is disappearing. He suggests that children today are growing up very quickly. He believes the media sexualises children and presents children as having the same intrests and problems as adults.