What Is The Role Of The Family For The Individual And Society?
Overview
What is the family actually for? It feels like a natural part of life, yet sociologists have argued fiercely about whether it serves everyone or only some people. Functionalists see a warm institution that meets society's deepest needs. Marxists see a quiet servant of the rich. Feminists see an arrangement that has long worked men's comfort out of women's unpaid labour. Three sharply different answers to one simple question.
This note teaches you to argue all three. You will learn the functions the family performs for the individual and for society, how those functions have changed over time, and how Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism each explain (or attack) them, with the standard criticisms of each. You will also master conjugal roles and the domestic division of labour, the evidence on who really does the housework, and the named studies CIE expects. By the end you will be able to reach the balanced judgement that wins the highest marks.
Objectives
- How the family benefits its members and society.
- Functions of the family.
- The loss of functions debate.
- How family functions have changed over time.
- ‘Warm bath’ theory.
- Importance of the nuclear family.
- How the family benefits capitalism.
- Exploitation of family members.
- Reproduction of class inequalities.
- Family as a unit of consumption.
- Family and ideological control.
- How the family benefits patriarchy and male power.
- The domestic division of labour.
- Domestic violence and abuse.
- Joint and segregated conjugal roles.
- Dual burden / triple shift.
- Decision-making.
- Gendered socialisation.
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on What Is The Role Of The Family For The Individual And Society?. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- According to Murdock, which of these is NOT one of the four functions of the family? A. Sexual B. Economic C. Political D. Reproductive Answer: C
- Parsons argued the family has two basic and irreducible functions. One is the stabilisation of adult personalities. The other is: A. reproducing labour power B. the primary socialisation of children C. acting as a unit of consumption D. regulating sexual behaviour Answer: B
- The idea that the family acts as a 'warm bath', soothing the worker after a hard day, is associated with: A. Karl Marx B. Ann Oakley C. Talcott Parsons D. Charles Murray Answer: C
- A woman who does full-time paid work AND most of the housework is said to carry a: A. symmetrical role B. dual burden C. segregated role D. joint conjugal role Answer: B
- Which perspective argues that the family mainly benefits the capitalist class? A. Functionalism B. Feminism C. Marxism D. The New Right Answer: C
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