Topic 3 - Theories of the Family

Question 1

What do functionalist see family as ?

Answer 1

• Just as organs work together to keep the body healthy, social institutions work together to keep society stable.
• The family is seen as a key organ in this system.

Question 2

What are the 4 functions of the family according to Murdock ?

Answer 2

• Stable Satisfaction of the Sex Drive: With the same long-term partner, which prevents social disruption from promiscuity.
• Reproduction of the Next Generation: Ensures the continuity of society.
• Socialisation of the Young: Instils shared norms and values needed for cooperation and stability.
• Meeting Economic Needs: Provides food, shelter, and support for its members.

Question 3

Criticisms of Murdock

Answer 3

• critics argue that these functions:
• Can be fulfilled by other institutions (e.g. schools, welfare state).
• Can be fulfilled by alternative family structures (e.g. extended families, single-parent families, same-sex families).
• The nuclear family serves the interests of men, not all its members equally

Question 4

What is Parsons functional fit theory ?

Answer 4

• The structure and functions of the family depend on the type of society in which it exists. The family “fits” the needs of society
• Extended family: Three generations living under one roof (typical of pre-industrial society).
• Nuclear family: Parents and dependent children only (dominant in modern industrial society)
• Pre-industrial society: Extended family fits better.
• Industrial society: Nuclear family fits better due to changes in economic structure and work needs
• The nuclear family fits the needs of the industrial society because it is geographically mobile as Industry requires people to move for jobs. Nuclear families are smaller and easier to relocate.
• And is socially mobile status is now achieved through individual effort, not inherited. Nuclear families help avoid status conflict between generations (e.g., son achieving higher status than father

Question 5

What is the result of Parsons functional fit theory ?

Answer 5

• The nuclear family becomes “structurally isolated” – it no longer depends heavily on extended kin.
• The family now performs just two “irreducible functions”:
• Primary socialisation of children.
• Stabilisation of adult personalities (providing emotional support and a place to relax).

Question 6

What is the first function of the family according to marxist ?

Answer 6

• Inheritance of Property
• With the emergence of capitalism, came Private property where men needed to pass it down to their legitimate heirs.
• This led to the rise of the patriarchal monogamous nuclear family to control women’s sexuality and ensure inheritance.
• This marked a “world historical defeat of the female sex” as women became subordinated to men and reduced to child-bearers

Question 7

What is the second function of the family according to marxist ?

Answer 7

• Ideological Functions
• The family socialises children into accepting capitalist ideology:
• They learn to accept hierarchy and inequality as natural (e.g., parental authority mirrors boss-worker power dynamics).
• This prepares them for a life of obedience and exploitation in the workplace.
• Zaretsky argues that the family offers a false sense of escape from capitalism – a private space where workers can “be themselves”.
• But this is an illusion: the family cannot meet real emotional needs. As the family is not truly separate from capitalism as it depends on money
• It also reinforces women’s oppression through domestic labour and emotional support for male workers.

Question 8

What is the third function of the family according to marxist ?

Answer 8

• Marxists argue that the family doesn’t just support capitalism by raising obedient workers, it also supports it by spending money
• The family helps capitalism make profit as they are pressured by adverts to buy the latest things (new phones, clothes, gadgets).
• This is called “keeping up with the Joneses” – feeling the need to match what others have, even if you don’t need it.
• Kids are specifically targeted by media and ads. They nag (“pester”) their parents to buy stuff.
• Parents often give in — meaning more spending = more profit for companies.
• Children who don’t have the latest toys, trainers, or tech are often bullied or excluded.
• This forces parents to keep buying to help their children fit in socially.

Question 9

Critics of marxist

Answer 9

• Too focused on nuclear families:
  There are many other types of families today (single parents, same-sex families, extended families), and Marxists don’t really consider those.
• Functionalists think Marxists are too negative.
  They believe families actually do help their members by providing love, support, and stability.

Question 10

Liberal Feminist view on Family

Answer 10

• Campaigning for equal rights, e.g. equal pay, anti-discrimination laws.
• Example: Sex Discrimination Act (1975) helped ban unequal treatment at work.
• Think gender roles are gradually becoming more equal.
• Believe change is happening through laws and changing attitudes.
  Point to progress like: Men doing more housework.
  Parents raising sons and daughters more equally.
• However criticised for being too optimistic and ignore deeper strucutral issues

Question 11

Marxist feminist view on the family

Answer 11

• Women are oppressed, but capitalism (not just men) is to blame.
• capitalism benefits from women’s oppression:
• Reproducing the workforce:
  Women raise the next generation of workers for free.
• They also take care of current workers (e.g. husbands) at home.
• Absorbing anger: Men who are frustrated at work take it out on their wives
• Fran Ansley says “Wives are the takers of shit” — they absorb men’s anger caused by work stress.
• Reserve army of labour: Women can be hired when needed (e.g. in wars or economic booms) and then pushed back into the home. This keeps wages low and benefits capitalism.

Question 12

Radical Feminist view on the family

Answer 12

• Radical feminists believe the main source of women’s oppression is patriarchy
• Men are the enemy – they are the root cause of women’s oppression.
• Family and marriage are key tools of patriarchy:
• Men benefit from: Unpaid housework women do,
  Sexual services women provide, Power and control in relationships
• They maintain dominance through violence or the threat of violence.
• Their proposals:
  Separatism – women should live independently from men
• Germaine Greer (2000) suggests creating all-female households (“matrilocal” homes) as an alternative to traditional families.
• Radical feminists ignore the progress that’s already been made: Easier divorce and More job opportunities

Question 13

Difference Feminists view on family

Answer 13

• argue that women’s experiences are not all the same – they vary depending on: Sexuality (e.g. lesbian vs. heterosexual women) Race (e.g. black vs. white women) and Social class (e.g. working-class vs. middle-class women)
• Argue Most feminists overgeneralise – they assume all women live in nuclear families and face the same kinds of oppression.
• Not all women experience the family in the same way.
• Black feminists argue that the black family can be a positive thing, offering: Support, A sense of identity and
  Resistance to racism

Question 14

What is Personal life perspective on family ?

Answer 14

• Focus: How individuals experience family life and give it meaning.
• Looks at what family means to the individual, not just what function it performs for society.
• Family isn’t just about blood or marriage. People can see friends, pets, or ex-partners as family.
• What you feel counts as family is more important than official definitions.