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Questions and Answers
Match the following sociological perspectives with their views on family life:
Consensus theorists = Believe benefits outweigh problems in family life Conflict theorists = Believe problems outweigh benefits in family life Consensus Functionalists = Emphasize positive aspects of family life Postmodernists = Focus on individual psychological stability
Match the following functions of family with their purposes:
Companionship = Fulfilling emotional needs Security = Providing physical, sexual, psychological, and economic support Raising children = Ensuring the next generation's well-being Stabilizing role = Maintaining stability for both individual and society
Match the following issues with their relation to family life:
Domestic violence and child abuse = Considered exceptions by Consensus Functionalists Identity questions = Explored by postmodernists in relation to family Cultural globalization = Provides more choice about everyday behavior Uncertainty about behavior = Caused by almost unlimited choice in modern society
Match the following social identities with their impact on behavior:
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Match the following views of the family with their descriptions:
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Match the following statistics with their corresponding facts:
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Study Notes
Debates about Family Life
- Consensus theorists believe that the benefits of family life outweigh the problems, while conflict theorists take the opposite view.
Consensus Functionalists' View
- They stress the positive aspects of family life, recognizing that the family is not perfect but still fulfills various needs and functions for individuals and society.
- Functions of the family include providing companionship, security, and raising children.
- Functionalists like Parsons (1959b) argue that contemporary families play a crucial stabilizing role for both individuals and society.
Postmodernists' View
- They focus on individual psychological stability and identity, which has become increasingly unstable due to cultural globalization and unlimited choices.
- Family life can provide a sense of stability and clarity in this context.
- People now have more choices about their roles in family life, such as being a 'father' or 'daughter'.
Family Life and Social Responsibility
- Families provide a sense of personal and social responsibility, which has wider benefits for the community.
- Children are given clear moral and behavioral guidance, forming the basis of social responsibility.
- Adult partners in families demonstrate personal sacrifice and commitment to others through domestic labor and care.
Conflict Interpretation
- This view argues that the costs of family life outweigh its benefits.
- Three main views within the conflict interpretation:
- The family can be psychologically harmful to its members.
- The family is socially oppressive and exploitative of women (mainly argued by Marxist feminists).
- The family has a dark side, including domestic violence and child abuse.
Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
- According to the World Health Organization (2002), around 70% of female murder victims are killed by their male partner.
- Around 25% of all women worldwide experience sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
- Child abuse is strongly linked to domestic violence, with men who are violent towards their partners often also being violent towards children.
- The most likely abuser is someone known to the child, particularly a male parent or step-parent.
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Description
Explore the sociological debate on whether the experience of family life is positive or negative for family members. Learn about the perspectives of consensus theorists and conflict theorists in understanding the impact of family life on individuals.
