Sociology Family Views: Functionalism vs Marxism
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Questions and Answers

What perspective do functionalists have regarding the family?

  • It has no significant function in modern society.
  • It primarily serves the interests of the wealthy.
  • It destabilizes society by creating conflict.
  • It plays a vital role in meeting the needs of society. (correct)

According to functionalist theory, which of the following is a primary function of the family?

  • To foster competition among members.
  • To provide emotional support and stability. (correct)
  • To produce wealth for its members.
  • To encourage individualism over community.

Which of the following best describes the consensus view held by functionalists about the family?

  • There is universal agreement that families are failing in their roles.
  • Families fulfill essential functions for the well-being of society. (correct)
  • Families create more problems than they solve.
  • Families are solely responsible for socializing children.

Functionalists would argue that the family contributes to society in all of the following ways EXCEPT:

<p>Creating isolated individuals with no community connection. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the functionalist view of the family’s role in society?

<p>The family serves multiple functions important for society’s stability. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary perspective that Marxists hold regarding the family?

<p>It helps maintain class inequalities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to feminist theory, the family is seen as which of the following?

<p>The main source of oppression for women. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of nuclear families on individuals, according to Poulantzas?

<p>They condition individuals to accept capitalist norms. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do nuclear families influence future generations in relation to capitalism?

<p>They teach conformity and cooperation with capitalism. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do both Marxists and feminists view the family?

<p>As an institution that serves conflicting interests. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What underlying belief does Poulantzas suggest families instill within their members regarding capitalism?

<p>That capitalism operates fairly for all individuals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do Marxists focus on concerning the role of the family in society?

<p>Its role in perpetuating class inequalities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What commonality exists between Marxist and feminist views on the family?

<p>They agree that the family operates as a conflictual agent in society. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism does Poulantzas describe as being used by nuclear families to influence behavior?

<p>Reinforcement of capitalist ideologies through education. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do nuclear families contribute to societal structures, based on Poulantzas' view?

<p>By teaching compliance with existing systems. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do functionalists believe about the relationship between different parts of society?

<p>They function together to meet societal needs. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the organic analogy, how is society compared to the human body?

<p>Both consist of interdependent parts that work together for a greater purpose. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects a key belief of functionalists?

<p>Each part of society serves a unique and essential function. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the functionalist perspective?

<p>It often overlooks the complexity of social relationships. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to functionalists, what is the primary function of societal parts?

<p>To contribute to the stability and maintenance of society. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the family according to Engels?

<p>To facilitate the transfer of private property to offspring (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept does Zaretzky describe as the 'cult of private life'?

<p>The belief that family life is central to personal fulfillment, distracting from broader societal issues (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Marxist perspectives, how does the family contribute to social inequality?

<p>By enabling wealth to be concentrated through inheritance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best summarizes Engels' view of family and property?

<p>Family exists to perpetuate the transfer of private property to male descendants. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Zaretzky's assertion about the family suggests what about individual awareness of social issues?

<p>Family life provides a distraction from recognizing social exploitation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the phrase 'wives soak up their husband’s frustration'?

<p>Wives provide emotional support to their husbands. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'reserve army of cheap labour' suggest about women's roles in the workforce?

<p>Women workers are readily available but often temporary. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the content imply about the relationship between work outside the home and domestic roles for women?

<p>Women's work outside the home is often temporary and reversible to domestic duties. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential emotional consequence for wives as a result of absorbing their husband's anger?

<p>Wives may develop anxiety or stress from this burden. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does not align with the concept of the ‘reserve army of cheap labour’?

<p>Women have the opportunity to balance both work and family life at all times. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Functionalist view of the family

A perspective that views the family as a vital unit for meeting societal and individual needs.

Family functions

The actions or roles that the family performs for the benefit of society.

Needs of society and its members

The biological and social needs of individuals that the family aims to fulfill.

Socialization function

The family's role in providing emotional support, guidance, and a sense of belonging to its members.

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Reproductive function

The family's role in ensuring the continuation of society through reproduction and raising the next generation.

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Marxist view of family

A perspective that views the family as a tool for preserving class differences, with the wealthy benefiting from the family structure.

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Feminist view of family

The belief that the family is a major contributor to the oppression of women, reinforcing gender roles that limit their opportunities.

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Conflict theory

The idea that different groups within society clash over resources and power, resulting in inequalities.

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Social reproduction

The way that societal structures and norms maintain existing power relationships and contribute to inequality.

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Gendered division of labor

The division of labor between men and women within the family, often reinforcing traditional gender roles and power structures.

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Marxist view on family (Engels)

The idea that the primary goal of family is to ensure the transmission of private property, especially to a male heir.

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Cult of Private Life

The belief that personal fulfillment can only be achieved through family life, which distracts from societal issues like exploitation.

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Zaretzky's view on the family

A Marxist perspective that argues that family life serves an ideological function by fostering a sense of personal fulfillment within the family unit, thereby diverting attention from broader societal issues.

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Marxist understanding of the family

The Marxist theory that the family is an institution that serves the interests of the ruling class by ensuring the continuation of private property.

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Family as a tool of capitalism (Marxist)

The idea that the family is a tool for perpetuating the power structures of capitalism, where the family unit is primarily focused on the accumulation and transmission of wealth.

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Functionalism

A school of thought in sociology that compares society to a living organism, where different parts work together for its survival.

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Organic Analogy

This analogy compares society to a living organism, like the human body, where each part is interconnected to ensure smooth functioning and survival.

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Interdependent Parts of Society

These are distinct parts of a society that have specific functions, contributing to the overall stability and well-being of society.

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Interdependence

The idea that different parts of society rely on each other to function smoothly and maintain societal order.

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Functions of Social Parts

These are the specific roles or purposes that different parts of society perform to maintain social order and stability.

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Absorbing Men's Anger

When a wife takes on the burden of her husband's frustration stemming from being exploited at work, she is said to be 'absorbing' his anger.

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Reserve Army of Cheap Labour

This refers to a group of women who are readily available for work, but can easily return to their domestic roles when not needed, often due to the assumption that they are secondary earners.

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Nuclear Family & Capitalism

The idea that nuclear families, often seen as a positive unit, can unknowingly contribute to the perpetuation of capitalism by socializing children to accept and conform to its norms.

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Socialization

A process by which individuals learn the values, beliefs, and behaviors of a society, often through family, school, and other social institutions.

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Capitalism

A system of economic organization where private ownership of goods and services is central, and individuals compete for resources and profits.

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Conformity to Capitalism

The idea that individuals who grow up within the norms of capitalism are likely to accept it as the natural and best economic system.

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Cooperation with Capitalism

The idea that nuclear families, through socialization, teach children to cooperate with the capitalist system, such as through accepting work and consumption as necessary parts of society.

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Study Notes

Functionalist View of the Family

  • Functionalists see the family as vital for society, meeting societal and individual needs
  • They believe the family performs essential functions, like socializing young people, providing economic support, and maintaining social order
  • The family is crucial for maintaining the social system
  • Different parts of society (like education, government, and religion) work together just like organs within a body
  • The family's functions vary based on societal structure. Pre-industrial families engaged in production and consumption, while modern families focus on primary socialization and stabilizing adults

Marxist View of the Family

  • Marxists view the family as a tool of oppression, maintaining class inequalities
  • The family helps maintain private property, transferring it to future generations
  • The "cult of private life" discourages people from focusing on societal inequalities through family life
  • Families are brainwashed by capitalism into accepting the current system

Feminist View of the Family

  • Feminists see the family as the main source of women's oppression
  • Capitalism uses the family to exploit women, performing functions for it
  • Women are the ones who reproduce the labour force
  • Women absorb men's frustrations related to exploitation at work

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Theories on Family PDF

Description

Explore the contrasting perspectives on the family from functionalist and Marxist viewpoints. This quiz highlights the key functions and implications of families in society, underlining their roles in either maintaining social order or perpetuating inequality. Test your understanding of these fundamental sociological theories.

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