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Theories of the Family - Sociology
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A PPT revision resources including theories of the family - Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, Radical Psychiatry, New Right realism and Postmodernism
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Theories of the Family, Overview Functionalism Murdock (1949)
➢ Consensus theory • Studied 250 societies and found some
nuclear family in all → so NF is ‘universa
➢ Characterised by the idea that society requires shared
norms and values to function • Family is the most important institution
continuation of these societies.
➢ Functionalists believe that the family helps to maintain
value consensus in society & results in a harmonious • Named FOUR vital functions of the nuc
{S.E.E.R} :
society if achieved
Sexual Regulation
➢ Family is extremely functional and N.F is a ‘functional fit’ Economic
Educational
for society
Reproductive
➢ Compare society to a biological organism - AKA organic
These are beneficial to the individual as wel
analogy
Murdock believes that the nuclear fami
practical institution for carrying out the
EVALUATION
Individual Society
Althusser {Marxist} criticises the education function arguing
that although the family does perform it, it only benefits Sexual Satisfied sex drive Less sexua
capitalism because we socialise children to accept that
hierarchy and inequality are inevitable.
Economic Being able to buy and C onsume
function in society
Showing that functions aren’t beneficial to the individual
Educational Primary socialisation of Kids have
AND Other institutions can perform these functions EG children → being able to and value
• Sexual function can be satisfied with pornography learn vital skills socialisati
• Economic function can be performed by welfare state order
Reproductive Domestic jobs Future wo
, Functionalism
Consensus View
Parsons (1959)
As society has progressed the family has evolved to meet the
changing needs of society making it a functional fit for society. EVALUATION:
Family has lost its wider functions due to: Radical Psychiatrist Laing: Criticises the pr
socialisation aspect arguing that the darker
family is being ignored
➢ Geographical Mobility {moving around}
& There are power inequalities/relations which
➢ Structural Differentiation {new institutions take over the roles of terrorisation of children, showing that social
the extended family – such as the welfare state} always positive
Marxist Zaretsky: disagrees with Warm Ba
but has retained TWO basic and irreducible functions → benefitting individuals
Primary Socialisation of Stabilisation of the Adult → the family acting as a safety valve only
Children Personality ‘temporary’ release from oppression, allowi
to continue.
Child becomes a social adult by Links to the marriage relationship
internalising shared norms and and how the couple provides
values of the society they belong emotional security and stability
to
Parsons therefore saw NF as This relieves stress & anxiety of
‘personality factories‘ where kids modern day living, allowing adults
are taught society’s value
consensus positively to fulfil their roles → ‘Warm Bath
Theory’
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