Page 2: Family Sociologists and Theories

This page delves into various sociological perspectives on family structures, roles, and functions in society.

Functionalist views:

• Murdock outlined 4 functions of the family: sexual, reproductive, economic, and socialization
• Parsons added the "Warm Bath Theory" to functionalist understanding of family roles

Definition: The Warm Bath Theory suggests that the family serves as a place of relaxation and emotional support for working adults, helping them cope with the stresses of modern life.

Marxist perspectives:

• Zaretsky argued that the family cushions the harsh effects of capitalism
• Delphy & Leonard viewed the family as patriarchal and hierarchical

Feminist critiques:

• Oakley challenged the concept of the conventional family
• Ginn & Arber examined how elderly experiences are affected by class, gender, and ethnicity

Changing family structures:

• Young and Willmott introduced the concept of the symmetrical family becoming more common
• Allan & Crowe expanded the definition of family to include siblings, parents, aunts, and partners

Example: The symmetrical family refers to a family structure where roles and responsibilities are more equally shared between partners, contrasting with traditional gender-based divisions of labor.

Cultural and technological influences:

• Rapoport identified 5 ways families can be diverse: organizational, cohort, life course, culture, and class
• Postman suggested technology is causing children to act like adults earlier in life

The page also touches on concepts like arranged marriages, cohabitation, and the role of friends as emotional support for single individuals.

Highlight: This overview is particularly relevant for students studying AQA GCSE Sociology or preparing for Sociology paper 3 Crime and deviance examinations.