2 irreducible functions of the family:
Sex role theory: that
this theory holds thatgender roles are
4 functions of the family:
Functions have increased, not reduced:
quote a 1990 article in the ‘journal of marriage’. it states that mortality rate in:
agreed with Fit Thesis: the family evolved from extended ("promiscuous horde") to nuclear. but said it was to suit capitalism.
used Parish Records to conclude that:
were both common in pre-industrial societies (which disproves/critiques Engels' claim that these societies were polygamous and extended families)
"the general trend of Engels' argument still appears to be sound" because while in non-industrial societies, family appeared nuclear in
family is upheld as a place of love, separate from exploitation of capitalism. but really it cannot meet the psychological and personal needs of its members as they are tormented under capitalism.
pester power: refers to the power of children to use their parents' emotional connection to them, to persuade parents to buy expensive toys and brands.
children are aware of larger, 'cooler' brands that will increase their status. this supports the idea of 'pester power' where children engage in conspicuous consumption.
Developed Marx and Engels' theory of false class consciousness.
'Haven in a Heartless world'
the family is a haven or retreat from capitalism
both Lasch and Donzelot argue that while the family is genuinely a safe haven, it still is insufficient. There is a trend of invasion or interference with the family.
'Policing of Families'
safe and secure institution. freedom & self expression away from repressive, exploitative society.
both Lasch and Donzelot argue that while the family is genuinely a safe haven, it still is insufficient. There is a trend of invasion or interference with the family.
surveillance
routine state intervention via these fields:
the state exercises power through discipline. Discipline = the ability to conform to a norm of behaviour/performance. The knowledge base of society acts as a definer of this norm.
they are known as the 'thought police', comprising of:
this means that we end up explaining to lay experts (loosely: counselors and doctors) our own perceived inadequacies. This is called 'Confession'
state control is the mechanism through which the state advises and intervenes with personal lives, such as family life, eg. providing mandatory parenting lessons to parents of YO.
Differ from most radical feminists in that they focus on the material factors as the most important cause of oppression of women. Particularly in the arena of work, men are the main beneficiaries.
DRA (1969-71) liberated women previously trapped in empty shell marriages. Marriage as an institution has its roots in "outdated notions of ownership and immutable gender roles"
The family = an 'Anti-social unit'
This means that the family:
It does this through a strong ideology that upholds (patriarchal traditional nuclear) family life as the ideal way to live, such that every other way 'pales in comparison'. This oppresses women by ensuring they put up with domestic violence and dysfunctionality, in order to follow the norm.
'sexual politics' (1970) society organises itself so that men can dominate. (in extreme form, this takes place in Domestic Violence).
'The Sociology of Housework' (1974) 1960s: qualitative interviews with 40 housewives (20 mc; 20wc), all had at least 1 child under 5. All were aged 20-30s. Both classes had an 85:15 split with their partners on housework. 70% ="dissatisfied" with the amount of housework they did.
'Just like a girl' 1976 girls in 1970s wanted:
but by the 1990s, they wanted:
family = an "ideological conditioning device in an exploitative society"
Cooper also talked from a radical psychiatrist perspective.
family = designed to teach passivity not rebellion. it has an authoritarian ideology where women teach passivity to children and husbands.
"as an economic unit the nuclear family is a valuable stabilising force in capitalist society."
studied USSR(1960) compared to Western capitalist economies.
conjugal roles
'The symmetrical family' (1975) Bethnal Green, East End London couples study.
2 irreducible functions of the family:
Sex role theory: that
this theory holds thatgender roles are
(2018) criticises Parsons' sex role theory. He has no scientific evidence for the claim that gender rolesare biologically suited. His claims are sexist
Critiques Parsons' Sex role theory. It dichotomises and genders the qualities of reason and emotion. They are not in fact equally valued by wider society; reason is given patriarchal privilege over emotion, as per enlightenmentideas.
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