Fichas
AS Level Sociology - Families and households
Fichas del conjunto (9)
- 1FunctionalismTo functionalists the family is at the heart of society and consequently they promote its value at every opportunity
The New Right views of modern times are really neo-functionalism - 2Parsons (1902-79) - functions of the family- Reproduction.
- Stable sex relations.
- Economic maintenance.
- Welfare.
- Socialisation of the young.
- Sense of identity and belonging.
- Stabilisation of adult personalities. - 3The isolated and ‘private’ nuclear familyThe 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
- More reliant on State nurseries etc.
The family is self-contained, inward looking with little contact with neighbours and community. Home leisure via TV, Video, Internet etc. etc. have made us more home-centred. - 4Fletcher 1976 – Modern family functions- Regulating sexual behaviour
- Procreation and rearing of children
- Caring for dependent members
- Primary socialisation of children
- Teaching family members the roles they will play - 5Criticisms of Functionalism1. The focus is on white MC families in the West
2. Ignores conflict within families
3. Ignores the damage done to women
4. Ignores the rising divorce rates
In short a ‘rose coloured spectacle’ view ignoring the dysfunctions of family life. - 6The New Right"The natural state should be the 2 adult family caring for their children"
John Redwood 1993 - 7The New RightThe traditional 2 parent family is best’
Michael Howard 1993
- 8Berger 1993- The family is seen as a central feature of modern life.
- It promotes decency, manners, respect, fair play etc. - 9Halsey 1992 & Dennis 1993- Support key aspects of New Right views.
- They recognise problems of single parenting.
- Particular problem of absent fathers.
- Unemployment has affected ‘breadwinner’ role
- Drift to crime is inevitable.
- Halsey concedes that the structural problem of poverty may be more important than the absent father syndrome.