Theories of the family

Objectives: To outline the various sociological theories affecting the family 1. Functionalism 2.Marxism

Functionalist Functionalists see society as based on value consensus: a shared set of norms and values (or culture). This culture enables members of society to cooperate harmoniously to meet society’s needs and to achieve common goals.

Functionalist Functionalists take a positive view of the family. They see it as performing beneficial functions for the family and wider society.

Functionalist Organic analogy – society is like a human body, when one part breaks down the whole begins to crumble and not work. How is society like a human body? Connections task –

Connections task: Family and education Family and the workplace Education and the workplace How does what happens in one part influence what happens in the other?

Functionalist Murdock ( 1949) argues that the family perform 4 vital functions. Stable satisfaction of the sex drive: with the same marital partner . This avoids social disruption and ‘sex for all’ Reproduction of the next generation: without which society would cease to exist.

Functionalist Socialisation of the young into society’s norms and values. Satisfaction of members’ economic needs : e.g. providing food and shelter . By performing these functions the nuclear family helps to maintain social stability. Murdock thinks the nuclear family is practical.

Functionalist Talcott Parson’s (1955) Functional Fit theory : He argues that the range and functions that the family performs depends on the type of society it is found in. 3 generational extended family – pre industrial society 2 generational nuclear family –modern industrial society. (functionalists ignore family diversity and assume the nuclear family is the norm)

Functionalist Extended family was multifunctional – it was a unit of production and consumption. E.g. all the family worked the land and performed welfare. Nuclear family – fits 2 key needs of the modern industrial society. Geographical mobility Social mobility

Functionalist The nuclear family has 2 functions : Primary socialisation Stabilisation of adult personalities – relaxing the workers before they go back to work (warm bath theory)

Marxist Society is divided into two classes: 1 Capitalist ( bourgeoisie ) 2 Working class ( Proletariat )

Marxists (conflict perspective) Capitalists The minority capitalist class, or bourgeoisie, own the means of production such as factories, raw materials and land. Working Class The majority working class, or proletariat, own nothing but their own labour, which they have to sell to the bourgeoisie in order to survive. The bourgeoisie exploit the workers and profit from their labour. This breeds class conflict which Marx believed would lead to the working class overthrowing capitalism and creating a classless, equal society.

Marxist Marxists see the family as contributing to exploitation. The family is oppressive and performs several important functions for capitalism : Passing on wealth Ideological functions : the idea that we can only gain fulfilment in the family.

Marxist The family is a unit of consumption and capitalists need consumers to buy their products. The family is an important market for consumer goods and therefore enables capitalists to make profits.

Zaretksy (1976) Sees the family as the major support to the capitalist system Socialisation of children Reproduction of labour force Emotional safety valve (ring any bells?) Economic function – false needs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=budN DF_LcQQ

Althusser (French Marxist) Described the family as being part of the Ideological State Apparatus.