the functionalist perspective
Functionalists believe that society is based on a value concensus - a shared set of norms and values. This enables society to cooperate harmoniously and to meet societys needs and goals. Functionalists see the family as an important structure in society. Murdock (1949) states that the family has four essential functions;
Parsons - Functional Fit Theory
Apart from the functions identified by Murdock, it may meet other needs too, such as welfare, military political and religious needs. In the view of Parsons, the functions it performs are dependant on the kind of society the family is found in.
The Nuclear Family - fits the needs of industrial society.
The Extended Family - fits the needs of pre-industrial society.
In Parsons view, when Britain began to industrialise families began to move toward the 'Nuclear' Family and began to split away from extended family. The industrial society had different needs so the family had to adapt.
- Stable Satisfaction of Sex Drive
- Reproduction of the Next Generation
- Socialisation of the young
- Meeting its members' economic needs
Parsons - Functional Fit Theory
Apart from the functions identified by Murdock, it may meet other needs too, such as welfare, military political and religious needs. In the view of Parsons, the functions it performs are dependant on the kind of society the family is found in.
The Nuclear Family - fits the needs of industrial society.
The Extended Family - fits the needs of pre-industrial society.
In Parsons view, when Britain began to industrialise families began to move toward the 'Nuclear' Family and began to split away from extended family. The industrial society had different needs so the family had to adapt.
- Geographically Mobile Workforce - In traditional pre-industrial society, families often stayed in the village with their extended family for their whole lives, working on the same farm. Industrialisation brought about work in different parts of the country, meaning families had to start moving for work. Parsons argues that its easier for the compact two-gen nuclear family to move than an extended family.
- Socially Mobile Workforce - Modern industrial society is based on constantly evolving science and technology. It requires a skilled and competent work force, so it is therefore essential that talented people are able to win promotion and take the better jobs. In modern society, an individuals status is achieved by their own efforts, and not ascribed at birth from family history. If the son stayed and lived with his father, there would be tension and conflict as the father would always have the higher achieved status. The result has led to a mobile nuclear family, which is structurally isolated from the extended kin, but may keep in touch, just has no binding obligations.
- Loss of Functions - The pre-industrial family was a unit of production, in which family members worked together on a family farm - and a unit of consumption, feeding and clothing its own family members. It was more sufficient method having a larger family. However, when society industrialised, the family not only changed its structure from extended to nuclear, but it also lost a lot of functions. The family ceases to be a unit of production, and has now become soley a unit of consumption. As a result of this, the family has two essential functions; the primary socialisation of children and the stabilisation of adult personalities.
THE MARXIST PERSPECTIVE
Marxists see capitalist society as based on unequal conflict between two classes, the capatalist class, and the working class. Marxists see societys institutions, such as the family as a means of maintaining these inequalities. Marxists have identified several functions that they see the family as maintaining capatlism.
Inheritance Of Property;
In the earliest days, of classless society, marxists argue that the family did not exist as it does today. Instead, there existed (as Engles describes) a 'promiscuous horde/tribe of individuals' where there were no restrictions on sexual relationships. As the forces of production increased, and along came the development of private property, relationships began to become more monogomous to ensure paternity of their children. They didnt want to pass on property to children who wernt actually theres! Engels argues tht the rise of a monogomous nuclear family represented a 'world historical defeat of the female sex' because it brought the womans sexuality under the males control, because it turned her into just an instrument to produce children. The inheritance of property tends to keep generations in the same social class as before. Children inherit their parents fortunes.
Ideological Functions;
Marxists argue that the family today performs key ideological functions for capatilism. One way the family does this is by socialising children into the idea that hierachy and inequality are inevitable. Parental power over children gets the children used to the fact there is always going to be someone who has power, and control over them - and prepares them for working life in which they will have to accept orders from capitalist employers. Eli Zaretsky (1976) argues that the family also gives the ideological function of providing a 'haven' from the harsh and exploitive world of capitalism. Zaretsky agues that this haven is largely an illusion.
A Unit of Consumption;
Capitalism exploits the labour of its workers, by making a profit from their hardwork. The family therefore plays a major role in generation profits, especially in consumer markets. Advertisers urge familys to 'keep up with the joneses' by consuming all the latest products. The media target children who use pester power to persuade parents to spend more, and children who lack the latest clothes of gadgets are bullied by their peers.
However, criticisms for Marxist theory on the family come from the argument that it is structured mainly around the nuclear family, and ignores the fact there are many other structures of family in todays society. Functionalists argue that Marxism clearly ignores the benefits the family has on society.
Inheritance Of Property;
In the earliest days, of classless society, marxists argue that the family did not exist as it does today. Instead, there existed (as Engles describes) a 'promiscuous horde/tribe of individuals' where there were no restrictions on sexual relationships. As the forces of production increased, and along came the development of private property, relationships began to become more monogomous to ensure paternity of their children. They didnt want to pass on property to children who wernt actually theres! Engels argues tht the rise of a monogomous nuclear family represented a 'world historical defeat of the female sex' because it brought the womans sexuality under the males control, because it turned her into just an instrument to produce children. The inheritance of property tends to keep generations in the same social class as before. Children inherit their parents fortunes.
Ideological Functions;
Marxists argue that the family today performs key ideological functions for capatilism. One way the family does this is by socialising children into the idea that hierachy and inequality are inevitable. Parental power over children gets the children used to the fact there is always going to be someone who has power, and control over them - and prepares them for working life in which they will have to accept orders from capitalist employers. Eli Zaretsky (1976) argues that the family also gives the ideological function of providing a 'haven' from the harsh and exploitive world of capitalism. Zaretsky agues that this haven is largely an illusion.
A Unit of Consumption;
Capitalism exploits the labour of its workers, by making a profit from their hardwork. The family therefore plays a major role in generation profits, especially in consumer markets. Advertisers urge familys to 'keep up with the joneses' by consuming all the latest products. The media target children who use pester power to persuade parents to spend more, and children who lack the latest clothes of gadgets are bullied by their peers.
However, criticisms for Marxist theory on the family come from the argument that it is structured mainly around the nuclear family, and ignores the fact there are many other structures of family in todays society. Functionalists argue that Marxism clearly ignores the benefits the family has on society.
