Families and Households:Theories of the Family:
SOCIOLOGY Year 12: Paper 2
Functionalist Theory of the Family
Key features of Functionalist theory
1 Structural individuals less important than social structure.
2 Consensus Functionalists believe society is based on value consensus.
Society socialises it’s members into a set of shared norms and values.
3 Cooperation This aids cooperation so we are able to meet the needs of society and achieve a set of shared goals.
4 The organic analogy: a) Functionalists claim society is a system made up of sub-systems that are dependent on one another. Eg the family, the
PARSONS economy and education. Like a human body.
b) The organs of the body perform functions for the wellbeing of of the body as a whole.
c) Similarly, society’s subsystems will perform functions for the good of society as a whole.
d) egThe family is an important sub-system- a basic building block of society.
George Peter Murdock
1 Key idea The family provides four essential functions to meet the needs of society and its members.
The nuclear family meets these four needs and so it is universal – found in all human societies without exception.
2 Function 1 Stable satisfaction of the sex drive- prevents social disruption as a result of promiscuity.
3 Function 2 Reproduction of the next generation-without which society could not continue!
4 Function 3 Socialisation of the young- the teaching of shared norms and values
5 Function 4 Economic function- meeting economic needs such as food and shelter.
Evaluation of Murdock
1 Weakness Many of the functions could be easily performed by other institutions or non-nuclear structures
2 Weakness Marxists and feminists reject Murdock’s ‘rose-tinted’ view – they claim functionalism neglects conflict/exploitation in the family
3 Weakness Feminists argue the family serves the needs of men and oppresses women
4 Weakness Marxists argue it meets the needs of capitalism, not those of family members or society as a whole
Part of the Families and Households unit –see other theories lessons.
Families and Households:Theories of the Family:
SOCIOLOGY Year 12: Paper 2
Functionalist Theory of the Family
Parsons: functional fit theory EVALUATION of Parsons
1 Key idea The functions performed by the family will depend on the type of society in which it is found. 1 Was the a) Young and Wilmott (73) Pre-
The functions the family performs will affect it’s shape /structure. Nuclear family-married extended industrial family was nuclear
heterosexual couple with their own biological children. Extended family eg three generations family not extended-parents and
living in the same household. dominant in children worked together in
pre-industrial cottage industries.
2 Key idea There are 2 types of society; society? b) Laslett (72) 1564-1821 –English
households mostly nuclear.
Pre-industrial –(pre late 18th C) : Extended family the best fit.
Low life expectancy and late
Modern industrial –(late 18th C) : Nuclear family the best fit childbearing resulted in a
shortage of extended families.
3 Needs of A geographically mobile workforce:
industrial In pre-industrial society people lived in the same place all of their lives and worked on the same 2 Did the family a) Parsons said that the nuclear
society (1) farm. become family was created alongside
In modern industrial society people need to travel for work. It is easier for the nuclear family to nuclear in early industrialisation.
move from place to place than an extended family. industrial b) Young and Wilmott – the
society? hardship of industrial life led to
4 Needs of A socially mobile workforce: the Mum-centred working class
industrial a) In an extended family in pre-industrial times, adult sons lived in their father’s house-their father extended family –female kin
society (2) had a higher status as this was ascribed. relied on one another for
b) Modern industrial society relies on a skilled workforce to cope with changes in technology. financial, practical and
The best people need to fill the most important jobs-status is achieved. emotional support.
EG.the son of a labourer may become a doctor through their efforts and ability. c) Exchange theory- Anderson
The best solution is the nuclear family- sons leave home once married.This encourages social (80) Mid-19th C Preston-
mobility. families did not cut ties with
The mobile nuclear family is “structurally isolated” from the extended kin. There are no binding extended kin. The benefits of
obligations to them as there would have been in pre-Industrial society. maintaining contact outweighed
The nuclear family is better equipped to meet the needs of modern Industrial society. the costs eg the absence of a
5 Loss of 1) Pre-Industrial Family welfare state, poverty, sickness
Functions A unit of production –worked together on the farm vs support with children and
A unit of consumption- fed and clothed it’s members rent.
Self-sufficient- provided health and welfare –met most individual and social needs. 3 Is the a) Partial support- Young and
2) Modern Industrial Family extended Wilmott- From 1900 the
Family changes it’s structure and loses it’s functions. family no nuclear family was the
Not a unit of production-work in factories longer dominant family type. Due to
Becomes a unit of consumption only. important in higher living standards, married
Loses functions to schools and the health service. modern women working , the welfare
6 Result of 1) The primary socialisation of children- teach basic skills and values to enable cooperation with society? state and better housing.
the loss of others and to begin the process of integration. b) BUT the extended family
functions: 2) The stabilisation of adult personalities: the family is a place where adults can relax and release continues to exist (more on
2 tensions, enabling them to return to work feeling refreshed –functional for the efficiency of the this later…)
irreducible economy.
functions
Families and Households:Theories of the Family:
SOCIOLOGY Year 12: Paper 2
Marxist Theory of the Family
Key features of Marxist theory
Marxist view of the Family
1 Structural individuals less important than social structure.
1 Key The functions of the family are performed for the benefit of the
2 Conflict They believe that society is based on conflict between two social class idea capitalist system.
groups –Proletariat and the Bourgeoisie-created by capitalism
2 Key This contrasts with the Functionalist view.
3 Role of Marxists see every institution in society as helping to maintain class idea They believe the family benefits both society and the individual.
institutions inequality and capitalism- they transmit ruling class ideology
Eg Media, family, education, religion and the state
The family serves the needs of capitalism: Inheritance of Property:
1 Inheritance a) The means of production = eg tools, machinery, raw materials, factories, land.
of Property: b) The mode of production = who owns and controls the means of production.
c) The mode of production is the key factor that determines the shape of all social institutions.
d) In modern societies the capitalist class owns and controls the means of production.
e) As the mode of production evolves, so will the family.
MARX:PRIMITIVE COMMUNISM
a) Primitive communism- an early classless society.
b) There was no concept of private property.
c) Everyone owned the means of production communally.
ENGELS:
a) At this stage there was no family but a “promiscuous horde” or tribe- no restrictions on sexual relationships.
Private Property
a) As the forces of production developed society’s wealth increased.
b) The concept of private property also developed.
c) A class of men emerged- they secured control of the means of production.
d) This created the patriarchal monogamous family.
ENGELS
a) Monogamy was essential because of the inheritance of private property. Men had to be certain of the paternity of their children to ensure that
their legitimate heirs inherited from them.
b) The rise of the monogamous nuclear family represented a “world historical defeat of the female sex.”
c) It brought woman’s sexuality under male control- turning her into “ a mere instrument for the production of children.”
d) Women will only achieve liberation from patriarchal control when capitalism and the private ownership of the means of production are
overthrown.
e) There will be no private property and so no need for the patriarchal family passing private property down through the generations.
Part of the Families unit – see other theories lessons
Families and Households:Theories of the Family:
SOCIOLOGY Year 12: Paper 2
Marxist Theory of the Family
The family serves the needs of capitalism:
2 Ideological functions Ideology- a set of ideas or beliefs that justifies inequality and maintains the capitalist system by persuading people that this is fair,
natural and unchangeable.
The family does this by socialising children into the idea that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable.
Parental power over children presents the idea that there will always be someone in charge-usually a man.
This prepares them for working life- to accept orders from their capitalist employers.
ZARETSKY (1976)
The family offers a haven from the harsh and exploitative world of capitalism outside.
Workers can be themselves and have a private life.
This is an illusion though…
The family can’t meet it’s members’ needs.
It is based on the domestic servitude of women.
3 Unit of consumption a) Capitalism exploits the labour of the workers, making a profit by selling products of their labour for more than it pays them to
produce these commodities.
b) The family plays a role in generating profit for capitalists.
c) It is an important market for the sale of consumer goods.
d) Advertisers encourage families to buy the latest products to “Keep up with the Joneses.”
e) The media target children- they use pester power to persuade parents to buy things.
f) Children who lack the latest clothes or must have gadgets are mocked and stigmatised by their peers.
4 In summary The family serves the needs of capitalism in 3 ways ;
a) Inheritance of property
b) Ideological functions
c) A unit of consumption
These functions may benefit capitalism but they DO NOT benefit the members of a family.
CRITICISM of the MARXIST PERSPECTIVE of the FAMILY
1 Weakness They assume the nuclear family is the dominant type in a capitalist society- it ignores the structural diversity amongst families today in the UK.
2 Weakness Marxists emphasise class inequalities in a capitalist system- Feminists feel this ignores the importance of gender inequalities .
The family serves the interests of men, not capitalism
3 Weakness Marxists take a conflict view of the family and suggest that the nuclear family does not work in the interests of the individual-
Functionalists take a consensus view and argue that the Marxist approach ignores the benefits a nuclear family provides for it’s members. Eg
children, emotional security
Part of the Families unit – see other theories lessons
Families and Households:Theories of the Family:
SOCIOLOGY Year 12: Paper 2
Feminist Theory of the Family (Pt1)
Key features of Feminist theory Liberal Feminism: Success and Reasons for Change
1 Structural individuals less important than social
1 Success: Over the past 50 years traditional definitions of femininity and masculinity have been challenged;
structure.
SOMERVILLE a) Women have more choice about marriage
2 Conflict- Feminists are similar to Marxists in taking (2000) b) Women may choose to work
Similarity with a critical/conflict view of the family. c) Women have more rights to divorce
Marxism However,they believe the source of d) There is greater equality within marriage
conflict is patriarchy not capitalism.
2 Economic a) Recession and globalisation has created changes to the economy.
3 Different to They are different to Functionalists who reasons b) The decline of traditional industries and the rise of the service sector has created more
Functionalism take a consensus view of the family. WILKINSON opportunities for women to be in the labour market- the feminisation of the workforce.
c) Women are now more likely to be financially independent of men.
4 Social General feminist views of the family
construct suggest that gender inequality is a social
construct- it is not natural or inevitable. 3 Social reasons a) A genderquake has taken place.
WILKINSON b) Women now have a radically different view on education, career, family life and childcare
5 Issues They focus on issues such as the domestic compared to their grandparents.
division of labour and domestic abuse. c) More girls will go to university and seek economic independence from men.
4 Legal reasons Changes in the economy and social attitudes have led to political changes that challenge patriarchal
Liberal Feminism OAKLEY values and attitudes at home and in work.
Equality Act 2010
1 March of They hold similar views to “march of progress” Discrimination against all women is illegal.
progress theorists such as Wilmott and Young This strengthened women’s position;
(Functionalists). 1) Own wage
2) Better say in decision-making
2 Gradual However, they are different in the way they do 3) Fair distribution of domestic and childcare tasks
change not think full equality has been achieved. They Other policy changes;
think there has been gradual progress. 1. Maternity rights
2. Pensions
3 Campaign campaign against sex discrimination and for
3. Benefit more from divorce reforms
equal rights and opportunities for women eg
4. Reproductive rights eg contraception and abortion (1962;67)
Equal pay.
5 Internal However as mentioned earlier….
4 OAKLEY a) gender inequality in the family is a
Criticism of They do not feel that the degree of change has gone far enough.
product of discrimination by individuals
change There is still a way to go.Eg Domestic abuse.
and those who run institutions rather than
BUT hope that consciousness-raising over time will convince men to eliminate patriarchy.
being embedded in the social structure-
All will benefit more with gender equality.
comes from ignorance, prejudice and a
mistaken view of the biogenetic
differences between men and women. Evaluation of Liberal Feminist theory of the Family
b) the source of gender inequality and
discrimination as gender role socialisation 1 Strengths It has been useful in explaining the improved position of women in education, family and work.
c) patriarchal ideology “persuades” girls to
adopt traditional roles and restricts
opportunities in the top jobs. 2 Weakness It does not reflect the experiences of all women-only from a white middle class view.
5 BRADLEY It is the acceptable face of Feminism –does not
3 Weakness Critical of gender role socialisation claims.
go too far in criticising capitalism and men.
Corsaro (2011) Research on gendered play assumes but does not prove gendered play with evidence.
Eg.There is no evidence to suggest that girls who play with dolls go on to become
Part of the Family theory unit –see other organisers mothers/housewives.
Families and Households:Theories of the Family:
SOCIOLOGY Year 12: Paper 2
Feminist Theory of the Family (Pt3)
Difference Feminism
1 Key idea They are critical of other feminisms because they see women as a single group.
2 Key idea Women are not a single unified group who are exploited equally.
3 Key idea Women have a variety of experiences of patriarchy and different goals and
interests.
4 Black difference Stress the importance of ethnic differences between women.
feminists- Some women face greater forms of oppression in certain ethnic minority
groups.
This means that ,for some women, discrimination and prejudice may be more
important than patriarchy.
Eg Bell Hooks
5 Class differences- Middle class women may have more cultural capital and may be more
economically independent than working class women.
They may be in a better position to combat patriarchal controls.
6 Family diversity- Women may be lone parents
Calhoun (2003) or
women in same sex relationships …and so don’t face the same patriarchal
controls as other women.
Evaluating Difference Feminism
1 Weakness However other feminists say…
This neglects the fact that women still share many experiences too.
They are still more at risk of domestic violence, low pay and sexual assault.
Part of the Family theory unit –see other organisers
Families and Households:Theories of the Family:
SOCIOLOGY Year 12: Paper 2
Feminist Theory of the Family (Pt2)
Marxist Feminism Radical Feminism
1 Key Marxist feminists argue that the main cause of women’s 1 Key idea all societies are founded on patriarchy.
idea oppression in the family is capitalism.
Women’s oppression serves several functions for capitalism.
2 Key idea this existed well before capitalism.
2 Wome They do this via unpaid labour and socialising the next generation
n of workers whilst maintaining and servicing the current one. 3 Key idea reject the Functionalist claim that the family is a cooperative unit-it only
reprod Benston (1972) benefits men.
uce the The nuclear family produces and rears the workforce at little cost
labour to the state.
4 Men are the enemy: a) Male violence against women takes many forms eg. FGM, acid
force: The housework role contributes to the effectiveness of male
Redfern and Aune (2013) throwing , forced marriage, marital rape, honour crime and
labour.
psychological bullying.
ONS (2014)
b) It is the result of a patriarchal set of ideas transmitted between
Laundry and ironing at home was worth £97.2 billion in 2012.
generations that women are second-class citizens
Unpaid childcare was worth £343 billion in 2010.
Women are exploited by the ruling class because they are not
being paid for their domestic labour- it is not reflected in their 5 The family and marriage are Women provide unpaid labour –they are exploited by men.
husband’s wage. key institutions in a Men exploit their wives despite genuinely loving them. The roleof wife is to
patriarchal society flatter her husband and provide emotional support for him-this is rarely
3 Wome ANSLEY (1972) Delphy and Leonard (92) given in return
n Capitalism strips men of dignity, power and control at work.
absorc This alienation and crisis of masculinity is absorbed by women in
anger the family- they are “takers of shit.”
This can result in domestic violence as men exert their control 6 The solution: 1) Choose separatism-women must live independently of men.
and authority at hom Or
2) Political lesbianism- become lesbians as heterosexual relationships
4 Wome Women can be taken on when extra workers are needed and let involve sleeping with the enemy.(get rid of men "from your beds and
n are a go when no longer needed. your heads“)
reserv They will then return to their primary role as unpaid domestic Or-
e army labour. They see the oppression of women in the family as linked 3) Greer (2000) argues in favour of all-female households or matrifocal
of to the exploitation of the working class. families.
cheap They believe the family must be abolished alongside a socialist Or
labour revolution. 4) Firestone- use reproductive technologies eg IVF to exclude men from
families. This way women will not be dependent upon men for childrearing.
Evaluating Marxist Feminism Evaluating Radical Feminism
1 Comparis Unlike Functionalists they suggest that gender roles in the 1 Weakness Somerville (2000)
on with family are not natural but created to suit capitalism. a) They are outdated ideas-fail to consider social and economic changes that have
other However, like Marxists they see the family as a prop for improved the situation of young women.
approach capitalism-it only benefits capitalism and men. b) They have access to more rights on marriage, divorce and childbearing.
es c) Separatism would not work because of attraction.
d) But accepts that full equality has not been achieved.
2 Weaknes it ignores the positive experiences that some women have
s from being a wife and mother in a nuclear family. 2 Weakness It ignores the positive and rewarding aspects of family life that many women enjoy.
3 Weakness Many men are loving and treat their partners with respect.
3 Weaknes It is also outdated- very few families will fit the traditional Also, women do find motherhood rewarding.
s nuclear family structure today- it ignores diversity and dual-
career families. 4 Weakness It ignores the diversity in families today- they are not all nuclear and not all nuclear
families are the same either.
