Notes include:
Functionalist Theory inc. evaluation
Marxist Theory inc. evaluation
Feminist Theory (liberal, marxist & radical( inc evaluation
New Right Theory inc. evaluation
Reasons for family change alongside explanations of why it has caused more family diversity.
Post-modernist Theory in...
,Theories of the
family:
Functionalism
Functionalism is where sociologists believes that certain functions should be partaken to ensure a stable society.
Key terms: Consensus- Society works because all agree with the set of norms and values.
Organic analogy- Functionalists view the society works like the human body e.g. the heart- family
Social solidarity- Binds people together
Socialisation- We learn to belong to a culture from birth. Taught rules by others.
Functionalist view:
• Nuclear family- universal
• Assigned roles: male- breadwinner, female- socialisation
• Emphasises social consensus and solidarity
,Functionalist: G P Murdock
(1949)
Nuclear family- most stable
Uses organic analogy- heart=family
Four crucial functions to ensure a stable society and family.
Meets the need of consensus and order
Crucial functions
Reproduction of the next generation
Society requires new members to ensure survival.
Children- symbolic to a couple’s emotional commitment to one another. Stabilises marital relationship + family life.
Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
Ensures order in wider society.
Marital sex encourages fidelity + commits the individual to family life.
Socialisation of the young
Culture is reproduced and passed down through generations.
Children learn how to fit into society, learn norms + values, obey laws. All taught by parental role-models
Women mainly partake.
Meeting it’s economic members needs
Paid work benefits economic system. Parents economically support children, encourage them to take place later as workers.
Children- physically + economically dependant on parents.
, Criticism Of Murdock
Supports
Nuclear family- still dominant (2015- 12.4 million nuclear families, most popular)
Most people in most societies are born into a nuclear family, then marry and have children.
New right- Sees nuclear families as conventional + natural.
Criticises
“rose tinted view”- Murdock sees families as harmonious but underestimates dysfunctionalities of family life e.g. domestic abu
behaviour of spouses. Feminists- disagree with Murdock as family life isn’t always stable.
Historically invalid- Now more alternative family types which are stable. Legalisation of gay marriage in 2014. Allows more dive
Ethnocentric- sees nuclear families as more superior to other family types. Alternative family types dismissed as “inferior”.
Feminists- Murdock’ implies that the women’s main role is the nurturing of children. Now, more duel-career (symmetrical fami
less of a role due to grandparents +nurseries.
Failed to keep up with modern trends: feminisation of the workplace, increased life expectancy, changes in fertility rates.
Many women are low having less children.
Sex before/outside of marriage is more acceptable.
Marxists- Meets the needs of capitalism, not those of family members or society as a whole.
Post modernists- More alternative relationships. Still stable. Give individuals more freedom.
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