Understanding Functionalism and Marxist Feminism in Sociology: A Summary

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Issy Aston

01/04/2023

Sociology

theories of the family

Subjects

Sociology

Understanding Functionalism and Marxist Feminism in Sociology: A Summary

Functionalism and the family theory and related sociological perspectives shape our understanding of family structures and their role in society. This comprehensive overview explores various theoretical frameworks including functionalist, Marxist, feminist, and personal life perspectives on family dynamics.

The functionalist perspective views family as society's fundamental building block, emphasizing parsons functions of the family including socialization and personality stabilization
Marxist feminism examples highlight how capitalism influences family structures and perpetuates gender inequalities
Liberal feminism advocates for progressive change while acknowledging ongoing challenges like the triple shift
The personal life perspective critiques traditional theoretical frameworks for oversimplifying modern family dynamics
Critical evaluations reveal limitations in each theoretical approach, emphasizing the complexity of contemporary family life

01/04/2023

Page 2: Functionalist Perspective on Family

The page details key functionalist theories about family roles and structures, particularly focusing on functionalism and the family examples through Murdock and Parsons' work.

Definition: Functionalism views society as based on value consensus where different parts cooperate harmoniously.

Example: The parsons functions of the family include geographical mobility and workforce adaptation in industrial societies.

Vocabulary:

Deterministic: Viewing human behavior as predetermined by social structures
Nuclear family: A family unit consisting of parents and children only
Extended family: A family structure including multiple generations and relatives

Quote: "The functionalist theory was popular in the 1950s and views society as based on value consensus."

Highlight: George Murdock's study of 200 societies identified four universal family functions: sexual, reproductive, educational, and economic.

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Page 3: Feminist Perspectives

This page explores various feminist critiques of traditional family structures, including marxist feminism summary and liberal feminist viewpoints.

Definition: Liberal feminism focuses on achieving gender equality through legal and social reforms within existing systems.

Example: Recent social policies like equal paternity/maternity pay $2015$ represent liberal feminist progress.

Vocabulary:

Triple shift: Women's combined responsibilities of paid work, housework, and emotional labor
Reserve army of labor: Concept describing women as backup workforce for capitalism

Quote: "Women reproduce the next generation of workers through unpaid domestic labor."

Highlight: Marxist feminism views women's oppression as linked to capitalist exploitation rather than solely gender-based discrimination.

View

Feminist Perspectives on the Family

This section explores feminist critiques of traditional family structures and their evolution.

Highlight: Liberal feminism acknowledges progress in gender equality while recognizing remaining challenges.

Example: Social policy changes like equal paternity/maternity pay $2015$ demonstrate incremental progress.

Quote: "Women absorb anger - they are the takers of shit" - highlighting feminist criticism of traditional family roles.

View

Marxism and the Family

The Marxist perspective analyzes family structures through the lens of economic relations and capitalism.

Definition: Marxist feminism theory examines how economic systems shape family structures and gender relations.

Example: Engels' analysis of primitive communism versus private property demonstrates how economic systems influence family forms.

Vocabulary: "Cushioning effect" refers to how families absorb the negative impacts of capitalism.

View

Marxist Perspective Limitations

This page critically evaluates the Marxist approach to understanding family structures.

Highlight: The Marxist perspective overlooks the diversity of modern family structures and the importance of gender inequalities.

Example: Family breakdown can actually increase consumption through the need for duplicate households.

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Subjects

Sociology

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1,938

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1 Apr 2023

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6 pages

Understanding Functionalism and Marxist Feminism in Sociology: A Summary

Issy Aston

@issy.aston

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Page 2: Functionalist Perspective on Family

The page details key functionalist theories about family roles and structures, particularly focusing on functionalism and the family examples through Murdock and Parsons' work.

Definition: Functionalism views society as based on value consensus where different parts cooperate harmoniously.

Example: The parsons functions of the family include geographical mobility and workforce adaptation in industrial societies.

Vocabulary:

Deterministic: Viewing human behavior as predetermined by social structures
Nuclear family: A family unit consisting of parents and children only
Extended family: A family structure including multiple generations and relatives

Quote: "The functionalist theory was popular in the 1950s and views society as based on value consensus."

Highlight: George Murdock's study of 200 societies identified four universal family functions: sexual, reproductive, educational, and economic.

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Page 3: Feminist Perspectives

This page explores various feminist critiques of traditional family structures, including marxist feminism summary and liberal feminist viewpoints.

Definition: Liberal feminism focuses on achieving gender equality through legal and social reforms within existing systems.

Example: Recent social policies like equal paternity/maternity pay $2015$ represent liberal feminist progress.

Vocabulary:

Triple shift: Women's combined responsibilities of paid work, housework, and emotional labor
Reserve army of labor: Concept describing women as backup workforce for capitalism

Quote: "Women reproduce the next generation of workers through unpaid domestic labor."

Highlight: Marxist feminism views women's oppression as linked to capitalist exploitation rather than solely gender-based discrimination.

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Feminist Perspectives on the Family

This section explores feminist critiques of traditional family structures and their evolution.

Highlight: Liberal feminism acknowledges progress in gender equality while recognizing remaining challenges.

Example: Social policy changes like equal paternity/maternity pay $2015$ demonstrate incremental progress.

Quote: "Women absorb anger - they are the takers of shit" - highlighting feminist criticism of traditional family roles.

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Marxism and the Family

The Marxist perspective analyzes family structures through the lens of economic relations and capitalism.

Definition: Marxist feminism theory examines how economic systems shape family structures and gender relations.

Example: Engels' analysis of primitive communism versus private property demonstrates how economic systems influence family forms.

Vocabulary: "Cushioning effect" refers to how families absorb the negative impacts of capitalism.

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Marxist Perspective Limitations

This page critically evaluates the Marxist approach to understanding family structures.

Highlight: The Marxist perspective overlooks the diversity of modern family structures and the importance of gender inequalities.

Example: Family breakdown can actually increase consumption through the need for duplicate households.

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Page 1: Introduction to Family Theories

A simple title page introducing the topic of family theories in sociology.

Highlight: This document explores various theoretical perspectives on family structures and their roles in society.

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