Theories of the Family

Created by: frankie.s
Created on: 09-01-19 10:27

Functionalists

Society is based on a value of consensus – set of shared norms and values which enables society to meet needs and achieve shared goals.

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Functionalists: Murdock 1949 - family perform 4 functions

Stable satisfaction if the sex drive Reproduction of the next generation Socialisation of the young Meeting its members’ economic needs

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Functionalists: Parsons 1955 believes the functions of family depend on the kind of society in which it’s found.

He distinguishes between 2 types of family structure: Nuclear family – parents and children Extended family – 3 generations under 1 roof

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Marxists

Marxist sociologists see capitalist society as an unequal conflict between 2 social classes: Capitalist class – ow the means of production Working class – labour the capitalist exploit for profit.

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Feminists Liberal

Concerned with campaigning against sex discrimination and for equal rights and opportunities for women.

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Feminists - Marxist

Argue the main cause for women’s oppression in the family is not men, but capitalism.

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Feminists - Radical

Argue that all societies have been founded on patriarchy – ruled by men.

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Feminists - Difference

Feminist approaches tend to assume that most women live in conventional nuclear families and share a similar experience of family life.

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Personal Life Perspective : Personal life perspective argues that Functionalists, Marxists and Feminists suffer from 2 weaknesses:

Assume the traditional nuclear family is the dominant type of family and assume that families and their members are passive puppets manipulated by the structure of society to perform certain functions.

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Personal Life Perspective

However, the personal life perspective can be accused of taking too broad a view. Critics argue that by including a wide range of different kinds of personal relationships that are based on blood or marriage.

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Card 2

Front

Stable satisfaction if the sex drive Reproduction of the next generation Socialisation of the young Meeting its members’ economic needs

Back

Functionalists: Murdock 1949 - family perform 4 functions

Card 3

Front

He distinguishes between 2 types of family structure: Nuclear family – parents and children Extended family – 3 generations under 1 roof

Back

Card 4

Front

Back

Card 5

Front

Concerned with campaigning against sex discrimination and for equal rights and opportunities for women.

Back

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Theories of the Family