The Marxist and Functionalist Perspectives on the Family

The Marxist and Functionalist Perspectives on the Family

For the purpose of this essay question I will discuss the Marxist and

the Functionalist perspectives on the Family. I will compare and

contrast them and give a critical analysis of each and place them in

historical context as well as modern day. In Britain today there are

many different types of families. A social unit living together

defines what a family is. The family resembles the core feature of

society. Both Marxist and Functionalist perspectives believe the

family is what holds society together and helps socialise the future

generations.

There are three types of family existing in today’s society. The

nuclear family resembles a family unit made up of no more than two

generations, stereotyped as a mother, father and 2.4 children. The

extended family refers to a family unit made of many three generations

or more who live with each other or near by. This type is typical of

pre-industrial or ‘primitive’ societies. The third type of family is

the reconstituted. This type has become more apparent in modern day

society. It refers to adults who have married before and have brought

their children from the first marriage to the second, creating a new

family unit. It is important to note that not every household includes

a family – for example student flats.

The functionalist perspective believe society is like a machine in

that all its institutions sustain continuity and consensus and keep

society running smoothly. Functionalists believe the family

contributes to society’s basic needs and helps maintain social order.

Functionalists have been criticised for placing too much ...

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...e into existence with the invention of private property. Both

Murdock and Parsons paint a very ‘rosy’ picture of family life. They

fail to take in account the darker side of society and family issues

such as domestic abuse etc. Parsons views on men and women in

relationships are often out dated. A lot of women these days are the

breadwinners in the family and therefore the husband and wife roles

have been reversed. Functionalist do not recognise that women suffer

from the sexual division of labour while Marxists highlight this is

their theory. Marxists also come under scrutiny for exaggerating the

importance of the family life as being a refuge from the capitalist

society. Marxists also underestimate darker issues such as violence

within the home etc. Zaretsky overemphasises the fact that family and

work are separated.