Theories on Family

8/2/2019 Theories on Family

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Theories of the Family Functionalism

Stresses conformity, consensus and the

preservation and reproduction of the social order

Conflict theories

Stress the restrictive, the oppressive and

exploitative nature of the family

Marxism

Feminism R.D Laing


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Functionalism

Functionalists believe every institution in

society contributes to the smooth running of

society.

To functionalists the family is at the heart of

society.

Murdock (1949) claimed that the nuclear

family is so useful to society that it is

inevitable and universal


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The universal nuclear family

Murdock (1949) claimed that he had found evidence

of families in the 250 different societies he studied

He defined the family as social group characterised

by:

Common residence Economic co-operation

Reproduction

Two adults who maintain a socially approved sexual

relationship

1 or more children (biological or adopted) of these adults


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Murdoch and the functions

of the family

The family is said to universal because itperforms essential functions for society:-

Sexualcontrols sexuality, provides stability

for adults Reproductive provides new members of

society.

Economic

family provides for its members.

Educationalfamily socialises the young intosocieties norms and values.


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Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) and the

functions of the Family

Primary socialisation throughwhich children learn to acceptthe value the norms and values

of society The stabilisation of adult

personalities the family givesadults the emotional supportnecessary to cope with thestresses of everyday life


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The Functionalist Family

Parsons presents us with a modern, stripped down family

structure, appropriate for an advanced modern industrial

society such as Britain and the USA

As societies industrialize, the family correspondingly adapts

and evolves.

In the past there was strong emphasis on the economic and

maintenance needs of family members.

As societies industrialize and become more complex, with an

increasing division of labour and specialization of tasks, so

agencies outside the family have taken over its

responsibilities.


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Socialisation: The family as

integrating mechanism Functionalist sociology has tended to look towards

the family as the cornerstone of social integration inany given society

The "integrating function" derives mainly from thefact that the family group represents the primaryinstitution, in any society, for the initial socialisationof children

Any institution charged with this responsibility isgoing to play a significant part inthe reproduction ofcultural norms and values.


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Social Order: The family as a unit of

stability

Of equal importance to the socialisation function,

the family also represents an institution that acts as a

stabilising force in society.

Great stress is placed upon such things as emotionaland sexual stability, economic co-dependence and so

forth.

The family is seen to be an institution that is charged

with ensuring the maintenance of social equilibrium.


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Functionalism stresses the isolated andprivate nuclear family

The functionalist view suggests that the

nuclear family has become:

Socially isolated from extended kin

More reliant on the Welfare State

Geographically separated from wider kin


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Critique of Functionalism

Idealises the nuclear family.

Ignores conflict and abuse

within families

Ignores gender inequalitywithin families

Ignores rising divorce rates

Ignores growing family

diversity (e.g. single parent

families)


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Marxist perspectives on the family

Marx himself didnt paymuch attention to the roleof the family

His friend and collaborator

Engels attempted to tracethe evolution of the familythrough time in The Originof the Family, PrivateProperty and the State

published in 1884


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Origins of the Family Private Property

and the State

Uses archaeological andanthropological data to trace theevolution of the modern family

Shows how the economic basisalters patterns of family

organisation. Demonstrates how the changing

mode of production leads to adecline in the status of women

and womens work One of the 1st works of socialist

feminism


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Engels Conclusions

The monogamous bourgeoisnuclear family is patriarchical

It is designed to guarantee andperpetuate male power throughthe inheritance of property

It developed to help solve theproblem of the inheritance ofprivate property men needed toknow who their children were inorder to pass on their property totheir heirs

The family is therefore designedto control women and protectproperty


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The family as a prop to capitalism

Socialisation and reproduction of new generations of workersthereby reproducing both labour power and an acceptance ofcapitalism (false consciousness).

Means of transmission of private property

Cushions the effects of capitalism makes it seem less bad by

acting as a safety valve for the stresses and frustrations ofworking class life.

Oppression of women

Unpaid domestic labour to raise children and run household

Women were made economically dependent upon men

Unit of consumption the family buys & uses goods producedby the economy


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Marxist Feminism Argues for the existence of a family ideology (a.k.a

familialism) Capitalism emphasises the role of women as mothers

and encourages them to have children and takeresponsibility for rearing them

State policies support this ideology and emphasisethe importance of women as mothers (e.g. maternityleave)

Capitalism exploits womens domestic labour andmen benefit as a result

Women form part of the reserve army of surpluslabour who can be hired and fired easily as theeconomy demands


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Radical Feminism The first oppression is the

oppression of women The modern nuclear family

emerged to meet the needs ofmen

Familial ideology is patriarchal

ideology into which both menand women are socialised

Gender roles learned inchildhood implicitly and explicitlyreinforce patriarchal ideas

Womens work traditionallyincludes unpaid domestic labour


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The postmodern family defined by diversity, variation

and instability Young women no longer solely aspire to marriage

More women choose delay or avoid having children

in favour of a career

Men have been forced to re-assess their status

within the family

Pre-marital sex and serial monogamy have become

acceptable

Postmodernity & the family


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Postmodernity & the family 2

Developments in reproductive technologyhave changed who can be a mother

Children have acquired rights and protection

within the family Dual career households have led to a

renegotiation of domestic duties and child-

rearing patterns Choice, diversity and instability have brought

about a change in familial commitments


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Further Reading

Most sociology general textbooks include a

chapter on the family which will include

discussions on family theory

Chris Liveseys Sociology Central website

(http://www.sociology.org.uk) contains a

number of good quality downloadable PDFs

on the topic of family theory and structure

Documents

Theories on Family