Theories Flashcards
(26 cards)
what is the functionalist view on the family
see family as positive for both the individual & society they believe that it is essential for value consensus
what does parsons say about the functions of the family
functions of the family depend on the society —> he believes in the instrumental male role leader and the expressive role leader
what type of family does parsons believe is the best for society and what has happened to it over the years
argues that the nuclear family is best fit for society and that the extended family fits needs for pre-industrial society
also argues that the nuclear family has lost formal functions —> STRUCTURAL DIFFERENTIATION
what does fletcher argue
he agrees with Murdocks 4 functions of the family but believes that it works alongside other institutions
what are the 4 functions that Murdock points out
Economic production
Sexual needs
Education
Reproduction
what do functionalist argue about primary socialisation and what does parsons say about it
it is the first stage and is the most important process as the family teaches the individualist norms & values that apply to that family
Parsons—> describe the family as human personality factory
what do functionalist argue about stabilisation of adult personality within the family
Parsons warm bath theory —> family relieves pressure of everyday life and recharge batteries of individual
what are some criticisms of functionalism
feminists —> negative effects of domestic responsibility = they reject ideas of different gender roles being natural= family benefits men
radical feminist DOBASH & DOBASH argue that D/V is ignored
marxist —> value & norms benefit capitalism
strengths of functionalism
shows how social institutions such as the family and education are connected
institutions have important purpose in our lives
Despite the decline in nuclear family many people still desire to live in the kind of nuclear households first outlined by Parsons—> Chester identified that during a person’s life-cycle most people experiences nuclear family life for a significant period of time.
what is the new right view on the family
see family as a basis of society but believe that the welfare state encourages laziness —> also believe that the nuclear family is be fit for society
what do the new rights believe about the increase in family diversity and what has this resulted in
it has created problems and the nuclear family has faded
this has caused break down of traditional family values, over generous welfare benefits,influence of feminism, secularisation & tolerance of same sex couples
fragmental family is no longer performing its functions—> inadequate socialisation, lone mothers are married to the state & nanny state is created
what does MURRAY say about the underclass
children inadequately socialised —> likely to be involved in criminal behaviour + cohabiting families are unstable
what is DENNIS & ERDOS without fathers studies state
number of children born outside marriage are raised by single mothers placing children at a disadvantage—> they have poorer health & lower education attainment than children with 2 parents
what is DENNIS & ERDOS main concern
is the the effect on boys grow up without expectation & adulthood that there’s responsibilities for wife & children —> family deteriorating
what are some criticisms of the New Right
they are sexist—> women may choose to work & families cannot survive on male wage
if welfare benefits are cut out its is children this will suffer
thy fail to acknowledge that the nuclear family can also inadequately socialise children
what are some strengths of the new right theory
Recognises the negative impact that long-term dependence on benefits can have within communities and families.
Offer practical policy solutions to try to tackle the issue of welfare dependency
e.g. welfare to work programmes
what is the marxist view on the family
family is negative for the individual as it exploits them and is used as a means of benefitting the capitalist society
how do marxist see institutions
as moulding & shaping individuals —> believe we’re born in positions in society
& those shapes determine who we are
what are the 3 main functions that the marxist identify
- inheritance of property—> Engels
- ideological functions —> Zaretsky
- family as a unit of consumption
what does Engels argue
what does Zaresky argue
Zaresky
Althusser
what are some criticisms of marxism
