family key terms/concepts

Question 1

functionalism

stable satisfaction of the sex drive - Parsons

Answer 1

• the idea that the nuclear family provides a stable way to relieve sexual needs/frustration

Question 2

functionalism

the nuclear family - Murdock

Answer 2

• a family structure including a father a mother and their children

Question 3

functionalism

primary socialisation

Answer 3

• the first stages of learning the norms and values of a society

Question 4

functionalism

stabilisation of adult personalities - Parsons

Answer 4

• idea that the family provides emotional support and security to adults, helping them cope with the stresses of adult life

Question 5

functionalism

parsons functional fit theory

Answer 5

• the family adapts as society changes
• the families role and structure change to match what society needs

Question 6

functionalism

instrumental role - parsons

Answer 6

• the provider or breadwinner role

Question 7

functionalism

expressive role - parsons

Answer 7

• the role involving emotional care and nurturing of family members

Question 8

functionalism

social solidarity - Durkheim and Parsons

Answer 8

• Durkheim coined social solidarity and parsons applied it to the family
• sense of community and belonging through the family socialising individuals into the wider culture

Question 9

functionalism

warm bath theory - parsons

Answer 9

• idea that the family soothes the man when he comes back from work, like a warm bath would

Question 10

functionalism

symmetrical family - young and willmott

Answer 10

• a family in which both husband and wife are employed and share domestic labour eg housework and childcare

Question 11

marxism

family as a unit of consumption - Zaretsky

Answer 11

• the family buys goods and services
• advertising targets children so they use pester power

Question 12

marxism

pester power

Answer 12

• childrens ability to influence their parents financial decisions by ‘pestering’ them

Question 13

marxism

safe haven/safety valve - Zaretsky

Answer 13

• the family acts as an escape for men who are exploited by the capitalist system as family life is more fulfilling
• however, the family cant adiquately meet emotional and psychological needs due to womens isolated and alienated position in society

Question 14

marxism

reproduction of labour power - Engels

Answer 14

• the family reproduces labour power by producing workers who are socialised into capitalist norms and values

Question 15

marxism

the cereal packet image of the family - Leach

Answer 15

• said the nuclear family is ‘the cereal packet image of the family’ as nuclear family typically appears on items like cereal boxes

Question 16

marxism

false needs

Answer 16

• the family has false needs, as they are convinced they need to buy capitalist products
• the purchasing of these products by the family supports and produces profit for capitalism

Question 17

feminism

Oakley - dual burden

Answer 17

• women taking on both paid work and domestic work
• a double shift of paid work and housework/caring for their children

Question 18

feminism

Duncombe and Marsden - triple shift

Answer 18

• builds on the idea of the dual burden
• women have three types of work: paid work, house work and emotional work

Question 19

postmodernism

Giddens - confluent love

Answer 19

• love which only lasts as long as it benefits the lover

Question 20

postmodernism

Giddens - pure relationship/love

Answer 20

• partners only stay together for as long as the relationship meets their needs and brings fulfilment

Question 21

postmodernism

Giddens - plastic sexuality

Answer 21

• the idea of sex being free from its association with childbirth
• sex being seen as leisure/pleasurable activity rather than just for reproduction

Question 22

post modernism

beck - risk society

Answer 22

• modern society is more focused on risks and how to control, predict and reduce risks

Question 23

post modernism

how does Beck’s concept of risk society link to family?

Answer 23

• less people are getting married due to increased ‘risk conciousness’
• individuals see how nearly half of marriages end in divorce and are less willing to take the risk of getting married

Question 24

postmodernism

Bauman - liquid modernity

Answer 24

• family is more fluid and less predictable

Question 25

# post modernism Palmer - toxic childhood

Answer 25

- concept that childhood is becoming increasingly worse for children in western countries

Question 26

# post modernism rise of the superdad - linked generally to post modern thinkers

Answer 26

- idea that modern dads are becoming more involved in family life and areas that may be seen as the woman's domain rather than just being a breadwinner

Question 27

# new right Murray - the underclass

Answer 27

- individuals who are dependent on the welfare state, lack work ethic and lass these values onto their children

Question 28

# new right Murray - cycle of dependency

Answer 28

- concept that the welfare state has encouraged individuals to rely on benefits rather than work - this view is then passed onto their children, creating a cycle of dependency