Theories of the family

Question 1

New Right theory of the family

Answer 1

Division of labour is biologically determined (breadwinner and homemaker)
Families should be self reliant and not reliant on state welfare (family breakdowns, lone parent families and dependency culture)

Question 2

Personal life perspective theory of the family

Answer 2

smart: Relationships give individuals a sense of indentity and belonging. Nuclear family is the dominant type of family but ignores increased diversity of family today

Question 3

Radical feminist theory of the family

Answer 3

Men benefit from women’s unpaid labour and sex and dominate them through violence
Patriarchy needs to be overturned, and the only way to do this is through separatism (WLW relationships)

Question 4

Difference feminists theory of the family

Answer 4

Not all women share the same experience of oppression, ethnicity, class and age all play a part

Question 5

Liberal feminist theory of the family

Answer 5

MOP view, gender inequality is gradually being overcome through policy change.
The new man is becoming widespread

Question 6

Marxist feminist theory of the family

Answer 6

Capitalism is the main form of women’s oppression and performs functions for capitalism:
1 reproducing the labour force
2 absorbing mens anger
3 a reserve army of cheap labour

Question 7

Engels (marxist) theory of the family

Answer 7

Family exists so men can pass their private property onto biological offspring (hopefully a son)

Question 8

Zaretsky (marxist) theory of the family

Answer 8

Cult of private life: we can only gain fulfilment from family life which distracts attention from exploitation

Question 9

Poulantzas (marxist) theory of the family

Answer 9

Nuclear families are brainwashed into thinking capitalism is fair which teaches younger gens how to conform with capitalism

Question 10

Durkheim(functionalist) theory of the family

Answer 10

The organic analogy: society is made up of organs that help it function, the family being a vital part

Question 11

Murdock (functionalist) theory of the family

Answer 11

Nuclear family performs 4 functions:
1- socialisation of the young
2- satisfaction of economic needs
3- reproduction of the next gen
4- stable satisfaction of the sex drive

Question 12

Parsons (functionalist) theory of the family

Answer 12

Functional fit:
The functions that the family perform depend on the type of society in which they are found:
Pre-industrial society - extended family - had the function of production and consumption
Modern society - nuclear family - have the function of social and geographical mobility
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The nuclear family has two irreducible functions:
Primary socialisation of the young - equipping the next generation with basic skills and society’s values.
Stabilisation of adult personalities - enabling adults to relax so they can return to the workplace and perform their roles effectively.