Embedded Files
Functionalist Views
How the Family Benefits Members & Society
Provides socialization of children into norms/values.
Offers emotional support and stability.
Maintains social order by teaching rules.
Economic support (sharing resources).
Functions of the Family
Reproduction: continuation of society.
Socialization: teaching culture and values.
Economic support: food, shelter, income.
Emotional support: love, care, identity.
Loss of Functions Debate
Parsons argued families lost some functions (e.g. education, healthcare) to specialized institutions.
Family now focuses mainly on primary socialization and emotional support.
How Functions Changed Over Time
Pre‑industrial: family was unit of production (work, education at home).
Modern: family is unit of consumption, relies on schools, healthcare, welfare state.
“Warm Bath” Theory (Parsons)
Family acts as a comfort zone for stressed workers.
After a stressful day at work, the man (instrumental role) comes home and wife (expressive role) provides comfort, care, and emotional support. This relaxes him, energizes him for work the next day, and keeps social stability
Importance of Nuclear Family
Seen as ideal for stability and socialization.
Promotes value consensus and social order.
Marxist Views
How Family Benefits Capitalism
Maintains and reproduces class inequality.
Supports capitalist economy.
Exploitation of Family Members
Women provide unpaid domestic labor.
Workers exploited through low wages.
Reproduction of Class Inequalities
Wealth and privilege passed down generations.
Children socialized into accepting class positions.
Family as a Unit of Consumption
Families buy goods → profits for ruling class.
Advertising targets families to encourage spending.
Family and Ideological Control
Family teaches obedience, respect for authority.
Makes inequality seem natural and fair.
Feminist Views
How Family Benefits Patriarchy
Reinforces male dominance and control.
Women’s roles often limited to domestic sphere.
Domestic Division of Labor
Women do housework/childcare; men seen as breadwinners.
Unequal workload.
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Family can be site of male power and control.
Violence used to maintain dominance.
Joint vs. Segregated Conjugal Roles
Joint: shared roles (housework, childcare).
Segregated: traditional division (men = work, women = home).
Even though men are becoming more involved in housework, it still seems unequal due to the household chores they decide to do, such as taking out the trash instead of changing diapers and feeding the kids.
Dual Burden / Triple Shift
Women face dual burden: paid work + housework.
Triple shift: paid work + housework + emotional labor.
Decision‑Making
Men often dominate financial and major decisions.
Women’s voices undervalued.
Gendered Socialization
Boys and girls raised differently (toys, expectations).
Reinforces traditional gender roles.
Strengths & Limitations
Functionalism
Strengths: explains stability, importance of socialization.
Limitations: ignores conflict, diversity, and negative experiences.
Marxism
Strengths: highlights inequality, capitalist exploitation.
Limitations: ignores positive aspects of family life, over‑focus on class.
Feminism
Strengths: exposes patriarchy, gender inequality, domestic violence.
Limitations: may ignore men’s changing roles, positive family experiences.
Debates: Positive vs. Negative Family Experience
Positive: love, support, socialization, stability, identity.
Negative: conflict, inequality, exploitation, abuse, stress.
Experience varies by class, gender, ethnicity, culture.
NOTES DONE BY FARIDA SABET
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PREVIOUS TOPIC
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE NEXT TOPIC
CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO THE NOTES MENU
Didn’t understand something?
Ask your question down below and we'll answer it.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse