Sociological Theories
Theories
Functionalist
The family has a function in society just like everything else in society
Society benefits from the family and it's the heart of it
Murdock
Sampled 250 families
Nuclear family is universal
Serves four functions: SEXUAL REPRODUCTION ECONOMIC EDUCATIONAL
Parsons
Nuclear family is stripped to just two basic functions: SOCIALISATION OF CHILDREN AND STABILISATION OF ADULT PERSONALITIES (warm bath theory - Steele and Kidd)
Evaluation
- Family functions are over romantic and idealised
- Doesn't account for the dark side of the family
- Only focuses on the nuclear family
-Society has changed, no longer applicable
- Family members take up different roles in the household
Marxism
Family functions are: Inheritance of property (essential for private property making, women subject to control which is stopped by overthrowing patriarchy) | Ideological functions (promotes inequality and capitalism through ideologies that justify it and maintains it) | Unit of consumption (Generates profits by exploiting workers and family. Use media, pester power, having latest products)
Bourgeoisie - Ruling Class (Benefit from society) Control other institutions that socialise the proletariat into believing capitalism is a good idea.
Proletariat - Working Class (Exploited by the bourgeoisie) Follow the ruling class ideology and focuses mainly on the economic systems
Karl Marx
Capitalist society based on unequal conflict between two social classes
Macro-Conflict Theory - Institutions maintain class inequality and false class consciousness
Evaluation
- Only looks at the negative side of the family
- Family is a mini factory to produce the next generation of workers
- Only refers to the nuclear family
- Ignores human free will
Feminism
Marxist, Liberal and Radical all believe society is patriarchal and men are dominating and exploiting women.
Marxist: Main cause of oppression isn't men but capitalism, women produce the
Functionalist
The family has a function in society just like everything else in society
Society benefits from the family and it's the heart of it
Murdock
Sampled 250 families
Nuclear family is universal
Serves four functions: SEXUAL REPRODUCTION ECONOMIC EDUCATIONAL
Parsons
Nuclear family is stripped to just two basic functions: SOCIALISATION OF CHILDREN AND STABILISATION OF ADULT PERSONALITIES (warm bath theory - Steele and Kidd)
Evaluation
- Family functions are over romantic and idealised
- Doesn't account for the dark side of the family
- Only focuses on the nuclear family
-Society has changed, no longer applicable
- Family members take up different roles in the household
Marxism
Family functions are: Inheritance of property (essential for private property making, women subject to control which is stopped by overthrowing patriarchy) | Ideological functions (promotes inequality and capitalism through ideologies that justify it and maintains it) | Unit of consumption (Generates profits by exploiting workers and family. Use media, pester power, having latest products)
Bourgeoisie - Ruling Class (Benefit from society) Control other institutions that socialise the proletariat into believing capitalism is a good idea.
Proletariat - Working Class (Exploited by the bourgeoisie) Follow the ruling class ideology and focuses mainly on the economic systems
Karl Marx
Capitalist society based on unequal conflict between two social classes
Macro-Conflict Theory - Institutions maintain class inequality and false class consciousness
Evaluation
- Only looks at the negative side of the family
- Family is a mini factory to produce the next generation of workers
- Only refers to the nuclear family
- Ignores human free will
Feminism
Marxist, Liberal and Radical all believe society is patriarchal and men are dominating and exploiting women.
Marxist: Main cause of oppression isn't men but capitalism, women produce the