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The role of family in society
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The role of the family within our society has always been hard to explain. Functionalist theorists like George Murdock (1949) and Talcott Parsons (1959) considers the family a mechanism' that exists to complement societal needs for new generations with identical norms and values. Marxists like Engels and Zeretsky have a narrower viewpoint on the family in terms of societal use. They consider the family to be a more oppressive force that teaches the young about to the "harsh truth of capitalism" (Hutton, W 1997), and creates generations of single track minded individuals who obey without question. Feminists take a more diverse approach that varies from Liberal feminists like Jenny Somerville (2000) who support the march of progress views of Young and Willmot (1973). At the same time Marxists like Frann Ansley (1972) claims that the family is merely a tool of reproduction for the capitalist system and Germaine Greer (2000) a well known Radical Feminist claims that men have corrupted the true purpose of the family and that women should develop an alternative form of family away from the male egocentric society.
Functionalist believe that family as an institution has 4 main functions that benefit society e.g. Sexual, reproductive, economic and educational. This view is strongly supported by George Murdock (1949) in his study of 250 societies which was the origin of the theory that the family structure is culturally universal (www.education-portal.com). Talcott Parsons (1959) however states that there are in fact only 2 main functions that the family performs. The first, Primary socialisation of children occurs at the early years of a child's life. During which the family plays a very critica...
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Hutton, W (1997) The State to Come. London: Vintage.
Haralambos&Holborn, 2000, p.509
Frederick Engels Friendrich Engels (1891) The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State 4th German edition , Translation and introduction by
Pat Brewer (Page 45)
Browne, K., (2008) Sociology for AS. Polity Press: Cambridge
Newbold, C., Peace, M., Swain, L., Wright, M. (2008) AQA Sociology AS. Nelson Thornes: CheltenhamWebb, R., Westergaard, H., Trobe, K., Steel, L. (2008) A2 Sociology, Napier Press: Brentwood
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Young and Willmot (1973) Page 123
Key Ideas in Sociology , Martin Slattery , 2003
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Gender scripts
Dual burdens
Today 's generation have changed many ways since the beginning of the century. In “The American Family”, Stephanie Coontz discusses many situations that has occurred during the beginning of the 21st century and suggested solutions to solve those issues in the future. For instance, she argued that women are being treated unfairly, family are not discussing their problems openly, and institutions need to change to fit the families’ requirement. In “Complexity of Family Life among the Low-Income and Working Poor” Patricia Hyjer Dyk, argued that women still doesn’t have enough choices, low income families doesn’t have enough jobs, and Government are not helping many families. Dyk’s review of the scholarly research on low-income families support Coontz’ evaluations of the problems faced by 21st century families and the solutions Coontz recommends, like improving women 's lifestyle, discussing problems openly, improving institutions and changing institutions so it can to fit to fulfil families need. .
In chronicling how the family structure has changed in America, it is important to understanding how family was actually defined. When referencing Leave it to Beaver (further referred to as LITB) times, family took on a substantive definition, or the idea that family was equivalent to relative, or related by blood or law. While this definition of family served the time period, it failed to evolve with society. For that reason, sociologists set out to determine a “more inclusive functionalist definition,” that focuses on what families do. “A functionalist definition of families focuses on how families provide for the physical, social, and emotional needs of individuals and of society as a whole” (Witt). With that, the functionalist perspective identifies six primary functions, which include reproduction, socialization, protection, regulation of sexual behavior, affection and companionship, and...
It contains adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults” (p.1). Parents are the main influence in a child’s life and have the responsibility to be affectionate and nurturing towards their children. Conversely, dysfunctional parents with destructive influences tend to have troubled kids. Depending on the child’s social environment, there are some children in this world whom are not as fortunate enough to have a loving mother and father. The functionalist perspective focuses on keeping the family functioning regardless of the dysfunctions that can occur. (Bereska 10) A dysfunctional family is a threat to the stability of the greater society. However, from this functionalist perspective other structures come in by filling in the gaps that are missing in order to restore normality/ the
Jones, L. and D, E. 2007. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare. [online] Available at: EBSCOhost [Accessed: 20 Nov 2013].
Macionis. J, J. Plummer, K. (2005). Sociology. A global Introduction. Pearson Education Limited. Essex. (UK) Third Edition.
Murray, Jane Lothian, Linden, Rick and Kendall, Diane. (2011). SOCIOLOGY IN OUR TIMES, Fifth Canadian Edition by Nelson Education Limited, Published by Thomson Wadsworth, USA.
Functionalism is when society is stable and running as anorderly system with interrelated part. At this point, this type of society is considered to be the example of a perfect functioning society. However, when aspects of society are functioning incorrectly, this is when social problems occur.Divorce is very controversial issuewhen addressing it as a social problem due to the many different beliefs. Many people in society believe that divorce often has negative effectson the family intuition that affects society as a whole. Meanwhile, others believe marriageand divorce does not affect society as a whole and divorce is a part of life and only affects the individuals involved. Today, functionalists often see divorce as a major failure in society.It is a general notion that institutions are causing divorce rather than the individual. An institution should not establish how a marriage operates. Instead, the individuals are expected to conform to a higher societal standard. Functionalist ...
Giddens, Anthony, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Applebaum and Deborah Carr. Introduction to Sociology. New York: Norton & Company, 2012. Print.
Schaefer, R.T. (2009). Sociology: a brief introduction, 8th edition. New York, New York, USA: McGraw-Hill.
Brym, R., & Caron, C. O. (2013). Commit Sociology (Vol. 1, pp. 279-307). Toronto, Canada: Nelson Educated Ltd.
Another concept in the family systems theory is that the family must perform essential functions which includes instilling the values, attitudes, and beliefs that the family has. One basic family function is to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, and care. An example of this is Brittany’s stepfather, Ken, is the main provider for the family. His job can afford for them to have food, live in a house, and be part of a middle class community. Another example of this concept is Brittany’s mom who was providing care for her ill mother while being a stay at home mom. She could also be dealing with the responsibility of taking care of the younger children (Thomlison, 2016).
Haralambos, M. & Holborn, M. (1991) Sociology Themes and Perspectives. 3rd Ed. Harper Collins, London.
(1997) Sociology: Introductory Readings, Revised ed. Cambridge and Malden: Polity Press. Hebding, D.E. and Leonard, G. (1996) Introduction to sociology: A text with readings, 5th ed. McGraw Hill Inc. (worldwide).
Functionalists emphasise the harmonious nature of the nuclear family, believing it provides a more stable environment for the family and its individual members but also for society as a whole. It draws attention to the positive aspects of family life, fitting in with many people’s experience and expectation of the family as somewhere they are safe and cared for. Functionalists see the father taking an instrumental role, supporting the family by earning a wage with the mother taking the expressive role, caring, nurturing and taking main responsibility for the home and childcare. New Right agrees segregated conjugal roles are human nature and are reinforced by society’s norms and values.
Sociologists look at society from either a macro or micro view and the theories that define their work are based on those perspectives. There are several family theories that we learned about this semester. Briefly, Structural-Functionalism and Conflict Theory are “macro” theories in sociology. Structural-Functionalism sees society as a living machine made up of different parts which work together for the good of society. Individuals, as well as Institutions work together, and the family is the key to the well-functioning machine. Emile Durkheim, considered the Father of Sociology argues social solidarity, where people do the right thing, create harmony and have shared values. According to Durkheim the nuclear family is the only type of institution that can achieve that. Conflict Theory sees society as a pyramid with those at the top having more power and influence than those at the bottom. Males in society have more power than females. There is a power imbalance, which could lead to oppression o...