Podcast
Questions and Answers
According to Neo-functionalism, how does the family act as a bridge between the individual and society?
According to Neo-functionalism, how does the family act as a bridge between the individual and society?
- By providing emotional closeness to develop cooperative behavior. (correct)
- By discouraging any interaction between the individual and society.
- By enforcing strict rules to control individual behavior.
- By isolating the individual from society to foster independence.
In Neo-functionalism, why is the family considered the best site for learning behavioral rules?
In Neo-functionalism, why is the family considered the best site for learning behavioral rules?
- Rules are more effectively taught when passed on with emotional commitment. (correct)
- Families have stricter rules than other social institutions.
- Children in families tend to be isolated from society for better concentration.
- Learning in families is not considered important in Neo-functionalism.
What is one way in which children learn behavioral rules in the family according to Neo-functionalism?
What is one way in which children learn behavioral rules in the family according to Neo-functionalism?
- Subconsciously by observing and imitating adults. (correct)
- By avoiding interactions with adults in the family.
- Through strict punishment for rule violations.
- By attending formal classes on societal behavior.
What distinguishes Neo-functionalism from Traditional functionalism regarding the role of the family?
What distinguishes Neo-functionalism from Traditional functionalism regarding the role of the family?
Why do Neo-functionalists argue that emotional closeness in families is key to learning behavioral rules?
Why do Neo-functionalists argue that emotional closeness in families is key to learning behavioral rules?
According to Horwitz (2005), why are rules passed on in families more likely to be effectively taught and learnt?
According to Horwitz (2005), why are rules passed on in families more likely to be effectively taught and learnt?
What was one reason for the development of a broadly extended family structure among the working class during industrialization?
What was one reason for the development of a broadly extended family structure among the working class during industrialization?
Why did extended families not dominate during the pre-industrial period?
Why did extended families not dominate during the pre-industrial period?
What was one contribution of younger siblings in the United Kingdom to the industrial development?
What was one contribution of younger siblings in the United Kingdom to the industrial development?
Why were children absorbed into the extended family structure in cases where they were orphaned?
Why were children absorbed into the extended family structure in cases where they were orphaned?
How did the lack of government help for the sick or unemployed influence the development of working-class extended families?
How did the lack of government help for the sick or unemployed influence the development of working-class extended families?
What role did kinship networks play in securing jobs for working-class family members during industrialization?
What role did kinship networks play in securing jobs for working-class family members during industrialization?
According to Anderson (1995), what type of family structures existed in pre-industrial societies due to high death rates among the poor?
According to Anderson (1995), what type of family structures existed in pre-industrial societies due to high death rates among the poor?
Why did some sociologists question the idea of a 'fit' between the nuclear family and industrialization?
Why did some sociologists question the idea of a 'fit' between the nuclear family and industrialization?
Which factor helped industrialization in the United Kingdom by concentrating wealth and allowing investment in industries?
Which factor helped industrialization in the United Kingdom by concentrating wealth and allowing investment in industries?
What did Finch (1989) find when examining family obligations before the Industrial Revolution?
What did Finch (1989) find when examining family obligations before the Industrial Revolution?
According to Marxism, how does the family play a role in capitalist societies?
According to Marxism, how does the family play a role in capitalist societies?
In what way does Marxism critique the functionalist perspective on the family?
In what way does Marxism critique the functionalist perspective on the family?
How do Marxists view the impact of companies on families?
How do Marxists view the impact of companies on families?
What aspect of family life might Marxists be accused of neglecting according to the text?
What aspect of family life might Marxists be accused of neglecting according to the text?
How do functionalists and Marxists differ in their views on the family?
How do functionalists and Marxists differ in their views on the family?
How might parents within families contribute to resisting capitalism?
How might parents within families contribute to resisting capitalism?
Socialization is viewed as a two-way process because:
Socialization is viewed as a two-way process because:
How does the functionalist approach view children in the process of socialization?
How does the functionalist approach view children in the process of socialization?
Which of the following is NOT cited as a way in which the family supports a capitalist economic system?
Which of the following is NOT cited as a way in which the family supports a capitalist economic system?
What did Althusser argue about the family's role in economic terms?
What did Althusser argue about the family's role in economic terms?
According to Zaretsky, what has become a major source of profit due to family influence?
According to Zaretsky, what has become a major source of profit due to family influence?
In Zaretsky's view, what effect does the privatised nuclear family have on political concerns?
In Zaretsky's view, what effect does the privatised nuclear family have on political concerns?
What is a major criticism of the functionalist approach to the family?
What is a major criticism of the functionalist approach to the family?
What is one limitation of the functionalist perspective on the family?
What is one limitation of the functionalist perspective on the family?
Which of the following best describes the main concern with the functionalist view on the nuclear family?
Which of the following best describes the main concern with the functionalist view on the nuclear family?
What aspect of functionalist accounts of the family is criticized for being out of date?
What aspect of functionalist accounts of the family is criticized for being out of date?
What is a key drawback in how functionalists view socialization in families according to the text?
What is a key drawback in how functionalists view socialization in families according to the text?
What is one negative aspect associated with the functionalist approach to the family dynamics?
What is one negative aspect associated with the functionalist approach to the family dynamics?
Why are functionalist accounts of the family criticized for focusing primarily on the nuclear family?
Why are functionalist accounts of the family criticized for focusing primarily on the nuclear family?
What is one significant critique regarding the functionalist approach to decision-making within families?
What is one significant critique regarding the functionalist approach to decision-making within families?
Why do critics argue that functionalists fail to present an accurate depiction of family dynamics?
Why do critics argue that functionalists fail to present an accurate depiction of family dynamics?
What is a common concern raised about how functionalists perceive the role of extended kin in family support?
What is a common concern raised about how functionalists perceive the role of extended kin in family support?
Why are extended families said to be common in traditional societies?
Why are extended families said to be common in traditional societies?
What was the 'fit' thesis proposed by functionalist sociologists like Parsons and Goode?
What was the 'fit' thesis proposed by functionalist sociologists like Parsons and Goode?
Why did nuclear families become dominant with the rise of industrialization?
Why did nuclear families become dominant with the rise of industrialization?
What was one crucial economic requirement that nuclear families were able to fulfill during industrialization?
What was one crucial economic requirement that nuclear families were able to fulfill during industrialization?
How did poor communications impact family members during pre-industrial society?
How did poor communications impact family members during pre-industrial society?
What did Talcott Parsons propose about the nuclear family?
What did Talcott Parsons propose about the nuclear family?
Why did extended families decline with the spread of industrialization?
Why did extended families decline with the spread of industrialization?
Why did nuclear families fit the economic requirements of industrial society better than extended families?
Why did nuclear families fit the economic requirements of industrial society better than extended families?
What aspect of pre-industrial society made extended families ideal for subsistence farming?
What aspect of pre-industrial society made extended families ideal for subsistence farming?
What role did extended families play in pre-industrial societies according to functionalist sociologists?
What role did extended families play in pre-industrial societies according to functionalist sociologists?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
Study Notes
Neo-Functionalism
- Neo-functionalists, such as Horwitz (2005), focus on the processes involved in linking the individual to society.
- The family serves as a bridge connecting the micro world of the individual to the macro world of wider economic society.
- In the family, children learn how to behave in the wider world through direct instruction and unspoken examples.
- Emotional closeness in the family provides reasons for cooperative behavior, and rule-learning can be taught subconsciously through observation and copying of adult behavior.
The 'Loss of Functions' Debate
- Functionalists argue that the nuclear family is found in all societies, but the exact forms of families depend on the nature of the society.
- In traditional societies, extended families are common because they can carry out a wide range of functions.
- In modern industrial societies, there is less need for extended families because other social institutions have taken over some of those functions, leading to a 'loss of functions.'
- The 'fit' thesis argues that the process of industrialization and urbanization led to changes in families and households.
The 'Fit' Thesis
- The 'fit' thesis was put forward by functionalist sociologists, such as Parsons (1959b) and Goode (1963).
- In pre-industrial society, extended family structures were the norm, and they:
- Were multi-functional, performing a range of functions related to economic and social well-being.
- Were kinship-based, with a common economic position involving working together.
- Were economically productive, providing the only means of physical survival.
- As industrialization and urbanization took hold, nuclear families became the dominant family structure, allowing for geographic mobility and labor flexibility.
Criticisms of the 'Fit' Thesis
- Finch (1989) found little evidence to support the idea that pre-industrial family obligations were stronger and provided greater support for each other.
- Historical studies have shown that there was a wide range of household types in the pre-industrial period, and extended families were not the norm.
- Industrialization and urbanization may have first occurred in parts of Western Europe because pre-industrial family structures were already mainly nuclear rather than extended.
Functionalism and the Family
- Functionalists, such as Parsons, saw the nuclear family as the best kind of family for modern industrial societies because it:
- Provided clear, separate roles for men and women.
- Enabled socialization of children.
- Allowed for family mobility and labor flexibility.
- Functionalists argued that the nuclear family fulfilled functions for both the individual and society.
Criticisms of Functionalism
- Functionalists have been criticized for idealizing the nuclear family and downplaying its negative aspects, such as:
- The blocking of women's aspirations and careers.
- The limitation of men's involvement in expressive and nurturing aspects of family life.
- The dominance of men in decision-making and the abuse of male power.
- The lack of support for family members from wider kin and communities.
- The contribution to mental and other problems.
Marxism and the Family
- Marxists, such as Zaretsky, see the family as supporting a capitalist economic system in three ways:
- Ideological control: families spread ideas favorable to capitalism and the ruling class.
- Economically: families perform a productive role beneficial to capitalism by producing 'future workers' and taking on substantial costs of replacing those who become too old or sick to work.
- Politically: the family acts as a stabilizing force that helps maintain the political order needed for companies to function profitably.
Criticisms of Marxism
- Marxists may be exaggerating the negative aspects of the family and neglecting the real social and emotional fulfillment many people get from family life.
- It is possible that within the family, parents may be able to socialize their children into recognizing the oppressive nature of capitalism and prepare them to resist it.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
