Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Created by: Kathryn
- Created on: 19-04-13 22:35
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What are the main themes of the Functionalist Perspective?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Family = positive for society and all its members from one generation to next.
- Family = Universal institution
- Males + Females ----> deifferent roles in the family
- Isolated nuclear family = Suitable for Industrila society - small and mobile
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What did Murdock's study (1949) involve and conclude?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Study on 250 different societies
- Argued Family = universal as it's the best way of adjusting to Societys basic needs
- Family performs 4 basic Function:
1) Sexual
2) Reproductive
3) Educational
4) Economic
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What did Parsons (1959) study involve and conclude?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Based on modern societies
- The family performs 2 basic and irreducible functions:
1) Primary socialisation of children
2) Stabalisation of adult personalities
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What are the possible criticisms of the functionalist perspective?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Concentrates on harmony and ignores conflicts within the family ( Marxist)
- Conservative view which defends the status quo - the way things are - doesn not allow for any change (Marxist)
- Family = Not universal (New world Black Family, Kibbutz etc)
- It's becoming a minority in many societies
- Family fulfills needs of society rather than the needs of its members (Marxist)
- The functionalist view of women's role within a family justifies oppression (feminists)
-The nuclear Family produces problems and misery as well as harmony e.g domestic violence (Feminists, Radical Psychiatrists)
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What are the main themes of the Marxist Perspective?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Unlike functionalism, Marxism emphasises conflict and inequalities - in paticular the dominance of the economy
- Family = determined by economic system - modern society - capitalism
- Early communal society -----> Family not needed - only became necessary with accumalation of wealth and the need to defend it (Engels)
- Workers socialised by the family into discipline and the 'correct' attitudes of of obedience and conformity
- Family acts as a safety valve -a release from alienation and oppression at work thus allowing oppression to continue
- Family acts as an ideological state apparatus - defending status quo, patriarchy and power ----> role of women = absorb husbands frustrations and maintain the worker
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What are the possible criticisms of the Marxist Perspective?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Presumes a nuclear family unit - dosen't take into account other households
- Too based on modern society - variations worldwide
- Too biased and negative - from an ideological position that condems the family as an agency of capitalist values
- The family serves the interests of men and patriarchy as well as capitalism (feminists)
- Too deterministic ----> assumes dominance of economy
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What are the main themes of feminist approaches?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Feminists see other views as too 'malestream' (Abbott and Wallace)
- Family life = very different for women and is a source of male control
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What do Marxist Feminists say?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Belive women are oppressed by BOTH Capitalism AND patriarchy
- Argue wives produce and socialise new workers thus producing more profit for economy
- Women don't only provide unpaid role but also provide a 'reserve army of labour'
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What do Liberal Feminists say?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Claim power relations and division of labour within a marriage have become more equal ----> because of changes in women's work patterns(law and changing values)
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What do radical feminists say?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Oppression of women result of male dominance through biology and physical strength. View the nuclear family as based and supporting male power (Firestone)
- Socialisation of women into mother/housewife = oppression
- Historically & in other cultures women = more independent -men and industrialisation that put them in the home
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What are the criticisms of the feminist perspective?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Focus on negative aspects of family life
- Feminists assume families have a male haed who dominates the rest
- New right claim feminists undermine traditional family values
- In recent years, women gained more choices. Family life now more diverse.
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What are the main ideas of the postmodern perspective?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
- Stresses the pluralism, diversity and fragmentation of modern life.
- Isn't one dominant, most common or correct type of family.
- Can be nor form of 'normal' family - Nuclear family = fragmeted
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What do feminists think about the postmodern view of the family?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
Force of liberation
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What do Functionalists think about the postmodern perspective on the family?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
Source of chaos
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What did Giddens suggest about the postmodernist ideas?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
More reflexive approach to modern life
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
What are possible criticisms of the post modern approach?
Sociology Theoretical perspectives on the family
Some see approach as an 'intellectual cul-de-sac'
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