Chapter Five Family Life

Objectives –To define the family and to briefly explore several sociological perspectives on the family. –To examine the historical development of ‘affective individualism’ and its role in the construction of marital relationships. –To examine gendered divisions in the family. –To discuss the role of neo-liberal ideas in the relationship between the state and the family.

Defining family –Definition: –“A group of people who are related to each other by blood ties, marriage or adoption. Families usually form economic units responsible for the upbringing of children” –Characteristics: A universal institutionA universal institution DiverseDiverse –Vary according to ethnicity, class, religion, sexuality etc. Shared kinshipShared kinship –Includes blood ties, marriage, de facto, same sex etc. –Sets out obligations/responsibilities of family members

Theorising about the family –Functionalist perspective (Talcott Parsons) Functional relationship between the nuclear family and the economic systemFunctional relationship between the nuclear family and the economic system Family as mutually beneficial because maintains social stabilityFamily as mutually beneficial because maintains social stability –Symbolic interactionist perspective Focus on the processes involved in developing parental and marital behaviours and identitiesFocus on the processes involved in developing parental and marital behaviours and identities The meanings and lived experiences associated with these roles and how they are constructed within the family through interactionThe meanings and lived experiences associated with these roles and how they are constructed within the family through interaction

Theorising about the family Structuralist perspectivesStructuralist perspectives How power relations impact on family form and its functionsHow power relations impact on family form and its functions –Marxism Family as an institution that upholds the values and structure of a capitalist societyFamily as an institution that upholds the values and structure of a capitalist society –Feminism How the family produces and reinforces men’s power (patriarchy)How the family produces and reinforces men’s power (patriarchy)

Affective individualism –Definition: Expectation of intimacy and affection between individuals within institutions such as the familyExpectation of intimacy and affection between individuals within institutions such as the family –Realisation can work against desire for intimacy –Result of industrialism and capitalism Privatisation of the family and the separation of the home and workplacePrivatisation of the family and the separation of the home and workplace Reshaped expectations of family lifeReshaped expectations of family life –Marriage based on romantic love rather than economics –Increased importance of mother/father-child bond but differentiation between mothering and fathering roles

Gendered divisions in the family –Domestic labour Women still do vastly more housework than menWomen still do vastly more housework than men Women’s tasks are daily, repetitive and invisibleWomen’s tasks are daily, repetitive and invisible Men’s tasks are less frequent and more visibleMen’s tasks are less frequent and more visible –Control of household income Four systems of household income managementFour systems of household income management –‘Whole wage system’, ‘allowance system’, joint management, independent money management (Jan Pahl) Each system has its own form of inequalityEach system has its own form of inequality Gender not only feature relevantGender not only feature relevant –Income of Maori family part of wider whanau resource

Neo-liberalism and the family –Neo-liberalism Definition:Definition: –The state has become too large in recent years and a shift back to markets, economic efficiency, competition and choice is an appropriate response to the crisis of the welfare state Emphasis on economic rationalismEmphasis on economic rationalism –The market as the best means for allocating resources Relationship between the state and the familyRelationship between the state and the family –The responsibility of individuals/families to look after their own needs in relation to health, education etc –New Zealand Code of Social and Family Responsibility 1997/8

Summary –The family is a diverse institution –Experience of family as one of intimacy/support and inequality –The ideology of affective individualism is important to the construction of the modern family –Gendered divisions within the family Women disadvantaged relative to menWomen disadvantaged relative to men –Separation of family and the state