Family: Marxist, Functionalist, and Feminist Views

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Questions and Answers

According to Zaretsky's Marxist perspective, how does the family contribute to the perpetuation of capitalism?

By providing a space for workers to develop revolutionary ideas and challenge the capitalist system.
By promoting self-sufficiency and discouraging reliance on consumer goods, increasing economic independence.
By encouraging workers to engage in collective bargaining and fight for better working conditions, improving societal equality.
By socializing children to accept capitalist values, providing emotional support to workers, and functioning as a unit of consumption. (correct)

According to Engels, what was the primary reason for the emergence of the monogamous, nuclear family?

To promote gender equality and provide women with greater economic independence.
To foster stronger emotional bonds and improve the well-being of family members within society.
To ensure the clear inheritance of private property and maintain the economic power of men. (correct)
To create a more efficient system of communal resource sharing and reduce economic disparities.

How does the Marxist perspective differ from the functionalist perspective on the role of the family in society?

Marxists view the family as reinforcing social inequality and supporting capitalism, while functionalists see it as essential for social stability and individual well-being. (correct)
Marxists emphasize the importance of emotional support within the family, while functionalists prioritize its economic functions.
Marxists focus on the historical evolution of the family, while functionalists concentrate on its contemporary functions.
Marxists believe the family promotes social harmony and equality, while functionalists argue it perpetuates class divisions.

Which of the following arguments would a Marxist theorist most likely use to critique Parsons' functionalist view of the family?

Parsons fails to recognize how the family perpetuates social inequality and serves the interests of capitalism. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How might a Marxist explain the advertising industry's focus on targeting families?

Advertising targets families to exploit their desire for consumer goods, thus sustaining capitalist economies. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Benston's contribution to the Marxist perspective on the family?

She highlighted how women's unpaid labor in the home reduces the cost of labor reproduction under capitalism. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Parsons, what are the two irreducible functions of the family in industrial society?

Primary socialization and stabilization of adult personalities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did industrialization affect the functions of the family, according to Parsons?

Industrialization resulted in the family losing some functions to specialized institutions but remaining essential for socialization and emotional support. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Parsons, what is the primary role of men in the family?

Serving as breadwinners and providing economic support. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best encapsulates Ann Oakley's critique of Parsons' view on gender roles?

Gender roles are socially constructed and not biologically inherent. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Murdock's cross-cultural study identified four essential functions of the nuclear family. Which of the following is NOT one of those functions?

Ensuring economic equality among its members. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which argument do feminists like Germaine Greer make regarding the traditional nuclear family?

It perpetuates gender inequality and oppresses women. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Duncombe & Marsden's concept of the 'triple shift' supports which feminist argument about the burden of domestic labor on women?

Women often perform paid work, housework, and emotional labor. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary finding of Ann Oakley's research regarding housework contributions by husbands?

Only a small percentage of husbands contributed significantly to housework. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a suggestion made by Germaine Greer to improve the lives of women, according to radical feminist thought?

Women should live in communities with other women instead of men. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A sociologist is studying a family where the husband works full-time and the wife stays home to care for the children and manage the household. Which sociological perspective would most likely argue that this arrangement is beneficial for social order?

Functionalism (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do Marxist perspectives criticize the traditional family structure?

It contributes to the reproduction of class inequality and serves capitalism. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between the liberal feminist and radical feminist views on the family?

Liberal feminists seek reform within existing structures, while radical feminists advocate for more fundamental changes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Eli Zaretsky

Marxist who argued the nuclear family supports capitalism by socializing workers, providing emotional support, and being a unit of consumption.

Family as Unit of Consumption

Marxist idea that families buy goods, which keeps capitalist economies going.