functionalist theories of the family

Question 1

What is the functionalist approach to the study of the family?

Answer 1

• functionalism puts forward the theory that our society is based on a value consensus and socialisation
• socialisation is the means of transmitting the norms and values to children, our identity is formed from the effect that our family has on us

Question 2

Murdock (functionalist)

Answer 2

• analysed 250 different types of societies and proposed the concept of the ‘universal functions of the family’ which every family in the world performs
• sexual function: sexual satisfaction achieved between 2 adults in family eg mum and dad, without this there would be a sexual free for all
• reproductive function: the family is responsible for bringing new members into society (eg making children)
• educational function: aka primary socialisation, children taught norms and values of society (usually by the female adult)
• economic function: adults (usually male adult) provides necessities for family members (eg food, shelter and warmth)
• argues that the nuclear family is universal because it is the best family structure to meet these four functions compared to other family types

Question 3

strengths of Murdock’s argument

Answer 3

• well supported with evidence (250 types of societies) = highly representative

Question 4

limitations of Murdock’s argument

Answer 4

• outdated: doesn’t account for new family types and diversity (eg homosexuality)

Question 5

Parsons (functionalist)

Answer 5

• argues that despite the family losing certain functions as we moved into a modern society there are still two basic and irreducible functions that the family will always perform
• the primary socialisation of children: equipping them with the basic skills and society’s values thus enabling them to cooperate with others and integrate into society (eg respect, manners)
• the stabilisation of adult personalities (the warm bath theory): the mother creates a warm, loving and nurturing environment which allows the family adults to relaxed and real ease tensions created in the outside world (creates a friendly society and benefits the economy as people still want to go to work / happy workers)
• family has specific roles: women perform expressive role (caregiver and homemaker), men perform instrumental role (wage earner and breadwinner)
• argues that these rules are best performed by men and women separately as they are both biologically set up to complete these roles

Question 6

limitations of Parson’s argument

Answer 6

FEMINISTS:
- too positive: it ignores the negative aspects of family such as DV
- parsons takes a sexist view, nuclear family places women in a financially dependant position
- outdated, ignores that women now taken on paid work

Question 7

Fletcher (functionalist)

Answer 7

• some sociologists (parsons) argue that the functions of the family have not been reduced or lost
• fletcher claims the traditional functions such as the care and education of children have been supported rather then removed by the state through state schools, hospitals and media
• NHS: family take care of minor illnesses, hospitals provide care for more serious illnesses
• education: teach norms + values, assist with reading and writing, things that families may have less knowledge with (eg speech)
• media: teachers names and values of society that family may not, entertainment, media as a career

Question 8

strengths of Fletcher’s argument

Answer 8

• plenty of supporting evidence for roles being supplemented by other institutions

Question 9

limitations of Fletcher’s argument

Answer 9

• too positive, ignores the potential negative effects these institutions have, or how it has negatively impacted the family (eg parents over relying on media)

Question 10

Engles (marxism)

Answer 10

• role of family is to ensure the capitalist man passes down his property and wealth to legitimate heirs (eg his actual children or family) and ensure the inheritance of private property to reinforce class inequalities in society by keeping a wealth gap between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat
• believed the monogamous nuclear family is the best for capitalist society (man knew their wives only had their children so could be sure that their wealth would be passed down to their own bloodline and ensures it is not shared with the lower classes)
• Believe that the bourgeoisie nuclear family oppressed women because females primary role is to produce children, and they are economically and financially dependent on husbands, women were seeing as glorified prostitute with only a sexual/reproductive function expected of them, they were expected to remain faithful to their husbands

Question 11

strengths of Engles’ argument

Answer 11

• feminists support the argument suggesting that family is patriarchal and oppresses women

Question 12

limitations of Engles’ argument

Answer 12

• outdated, his ideas don’t apply to new family types (dual earner families, same sex families, single parent families)

Question 13

Althusser (marxism)

Answer 13

• argues the family acts as an ideological state apparatus, ensuring that capitalist norms and values are passed on
• for capitalism to survive and continue, the family is needed to teach the future generations the ruling class ideology that capitalism is fair and unchangeable through the process of primary socialisation

Question 14

strengths of Althusser’s argument

Answer 14

• ideas are well supported with examples of ways families reinforced capitalist messages and ideas

Question 15

limitations of Althusser’s argument

Answer 15

• deterministic, not all families teach their children capitalist values, nor do children just passively accept them

Question 16

Zaretsky (marxism)

Answer 16

• argues that the family acts as a unit of consumption by buying the products within the capitalist society
• argues the home life and work life are inseparable as the wages earned at work I spent on useless commodities that people are convinced they need to advertising which creates false needs
• children use their pester power to convince wage earning adults to buy them these useless commodities, which keeps the proletariat in their position and maintains the economy which benefits the bourgeoisie
• argues that through the families love and support they are supposed to be a ‘ safe haven’ from the stress of working in a capitalist economy, however the reality is that the family fails to perform this function for workers

Question 17

strengths of Zaretsly’s argument

Answer 17

• advertisements are clearly targeted towards children and families (TV, social media)

Question 18

limitations of Zaretsly’s argument

Answer 18

• parson’s warm bath theory

Question 19

why do feminists argue we live in a patriarchal world?

Answer 19

• this is where society is dominated / controlled by men
• gender roles: ideas about what each gender should do
• subordination of women: women are seen as below men in someway
• misogyny: hatred, dislike of women, devaluing women in society
• male gaze: sexual objectification of women

Question 20

liberal feminism

Answer 20

• argue, but whilst the position of women has changed over the past 100 years, there is still patriarchy within society which needs to be challenged through:
  1) changing laws and policies within our society, giving women more rights and freedoms
  2) changing social attitudes towards women, adjusting expectations and boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour
• divorce reform act: divorces made legal under any circumstance, women feel more free freedom, less pressured to be married and find the right person
• equal pay act: women and men pay the same rather than men paid more, women feel more power and equal to men, and more respected
• sex discrimination act: prohibited sex discrimination in the workplace and stopped women from feeling unequal to men, women feel safe and protected in the workplace for men

Question 21

Somerville (liberal feminist)

Answer 21

• argues that radical feminists have failed to acknowledge the progress that has been made for women such as greater freedom to take paid work even if they are married or have young children
• this has led to greater equality within marriages
• acknowledges that many men do not take on their full share of responsibilities, but women’s improve social position means that they can show these men ‘the door’
• policies should be devised that encouraged to equal within relationship relationships and help women cope with the practicalities of everyday life (eg policies to help working parents as the hours of many jobs are incompatible with family life)

Question 22

strengths of liberal feminism

Answer 22

• liberal feminism as well supported with evidence that the position of women is improving and that this affects family life (eg joining the workforce)

Question 23

limitations of liberal feminism

Answer 23

• radical feminists would criticise liberal feminists for being too positive, arguing they ignore ongoing issues that aren’t improving

Question 24

Greer (radical feminism)

Answer 24

• argues men benefit much more from marriage than women do
• highlights the vast increase in divorce as being an evidence of unhappiness from wives
• brings up the issue of motherhood suggesting that it can be intrinsically satisfying yet it is de valued as society

Question 25

strengths of Greer’s argument

Answer 25

- supported by data from ONS, 62% of divorces between men and women in 2019 requested by the wife

Question 26

limitations of Greer’s argument

Answer 26

- liberal feminists would argue radical feminist are too negative, ignoring the changes in society that have benefited women