theories of the family Flashcards
(7 cards)
functionalist views
Murdock-
argued the nuclear family fulfils 4 vital funtions:
sex drive satisfaction
reproduction of the next generation
members’ economic needs are met
socialistaion of the young
Parsons- fuctional fit theory
the family performs the necessary needs depending on the society
eg, the shift of pre-industrial society to industrial was met by the change of need from the extended family to the nuclear family. the nuclear family is best as both a geographically mobile and socially mobile workforce is needed
the nuclear family has lost its functions and now has two essential function:
-primary socialization of children
family produces children with shared norms and values which is vital for value consensus
-stabilization of adult personalities
female role = expressive role
male role = instrumental role
warm bath theory- a way that adults are stabilized is through the family which soaks off the daily stresses like a warm bath
evaluation:
[Murdock] the family serves the needs of men and oppresses women
[Parsons] young and Willmott the earl; industrial period gave rise to a “mum-centered” w/c extended family
marxists views
-family solely benefits the bourgeoisie, economy and capitalism
-only when capitalism is overthrown will women be liberated from the patriarchy
-the classless society will remove the need of a patriarchal nuclear family as there will be no need to transmit private property through generations (inheritance)
- the family performs ideological functions, based on the ideas that justify inequality in the capitalist system –> done through primary socialization
- women ensure workers are cared for and healthy which increase worker productivity at no extra cost
the family is a unit of consumerism and materialism and so maintains capitalism
Zaretsky:
the working man feel in control in his family which relieves his frustration about being low status –> helps oppression and exploitation as workers
evaluation:
Somerville –> Zaretsky exaggerates the refuge family life provides and the extent of family life being separate from work life
ignores family diversity and positive aspects of family life
liberal feminists
optimistic view which is focused on the increased equality
family is sexist as it supports mainstream culture when socializing children
Somerville –> feminists can often ignore the progress made by women (greater choice and freedom). women can get fulfilment from their children and can do without men but that wont work due to heterosexual attraction and the need for adult companionship
evaluation:
no empirical evidence
no suggestions for further change
radical feminists
marriage is a prison for women and men will resort to violence if they aren’t obeyed
supportive of family diversity and divorce
housework is exploitation of women
Delphy and Leonard:
the family is an economic system where men reap all benefits
women’s duties –> housework, care for the sick, childcare, provide for their husbands emotional and sexual well being
men make little contributions
evaluation:
assumes that the man is always the head of the household
no empirical evidence to power division
marxists feminists
- the main cause of oppression for women is capitalism which also allows upper class to exploit the lower ones
- woen birth the next generation of workers
Ansley: men take out their frustration on the women rather than on the capitalist system which is a way the family stabilises adult personalities (Parson’s idea)
evaluation:
ignores family diversity
portrays women as passive as passive victims as if they cant fight back
difference feminists
- womens experiences vary significantly based on class, race and sexuality
- feminist theory is mainly based on white, western, m/c, heterosexual women’s experiences which creates a false universality
the problem of essentialism:
essentialism is the idea all women share the same ‘essence’ meaning all women are essentially the same and share the same experiences
difference feminists argue that all other feminists are essentialist and they dont reflect the diversity of women’s experiences- exluding women and their problems
personal life perspective
- a perspective which emphasises the meaning of individual family members and how they shape actions and relationships
- social relationships overrule the importance of genetic ones in the family
wider family relationships:
- inclues relationships with friends, pets, chosen family (gay and lesbian), dead relatives (they live on in mamories and can shape actions)
- focuses on the meaning relationships can hold, even if they arent considered family
connectedness thesis:
- people make choices within the ‘web of connectedness’ which are embedded due to existing relationships and interpersonal histories
- this challenges the idea of a pure relationship, eg, separated parents often remain linked by their children
impact of class and gender:
- gender norms women recieve custody of children after divorce, limiting oppourtunities when forming new relationships
- women are generally powerless compared to men (difference in pay which dictates freedom and choice) which makes them more likely to be be trapped in abusive relationships
evaluation:
[individualisation thesis] exaggerates choice in family relationships as structural factors (social class and gender norms), traditional norms still can affect it
too broad of a view –> ignores whats special about blood and marital relationships
acknowledges that personal relationships arent always postive and so allows the expression of family rather than a ready-made definition
