Key Sociologists on Families

This page summarizes major sociological perspectives on family structures and dynamics, focusing on feminist, functionalist, and Marxist approaches.

Delphy and Leonard (Feminist Perspective) These theorists argue that men benefit most from exploiting women's labor in the home. Even when women work outside the home, they are still expected to handle domestic chores, creating an unequal division of labor that advantages men.

Highlight: The division of labor in families exploits women while benefiting men, according to this feminist view.

Rapaport and Rapaport (Family Diversity) They identify several factors influencing family diversity:

• Organizational: How domestic labor is divided
• Cultural: Values and beliefs
• Class differences
• Life course stages
• Historical context

Ann Oakley (Feminist Perspective) Oakley challenges conventional ideas about nuclear families and voluntary parenthood. She argues that traditional family stereotypes are increasingly seen as outdated, with some groups exploring alternative living arrangements.

Definition: Conventional family stereotypes refer to traditional notions of nuclear families with clearly defined gender roles.

Young and Willmott (Functionalist Perspective) These theorists propose the concept of the "symmetrical family" where gender roles are less segregated and more equal. They attribute the rise of symmetrical families to:

• Increased male wages
• Higher female employment rates
• Decreased unemployment
• Smaller family sizes

Vocabulary: A symmetrical family is one where domestic roles and responsibilities are more evenly shared between partners.

Talcott Parsons (Functionalist Perspective) Parsons emphasizes two key functions of the family:

1. Primary socialization of children
2. Stabilization of adult personalities

He also describes complementary parental roles:

• Instrumental role (typically father): Providing for the family
• Expressive role (typically mother): Nurturing and emotional support

Critique: Critics argue that Parsons ignores the "dark side" of family life, such as domestic violence or abuse.

Zaretsky (Marxist Perspective) Zaretsky argues that the family supports the capitalist economy in several ways:

• Relying on unpaid domestic labor (typically by women)
• Reproducing the next generation of workers
• Serving as a unit of consumption

Example: The housewife role, according to Zaretsky, provides crucial unpaid labor that indirectly supports the capitalist system.