Functionalists assume that all societies have certain basic needs that have to be met if each society is to operate efficiently and survive over times. Murdock, having examined a number of different societies, came to the conclusion that the family performs four basic functions in society. They are Sex, to regulate sexual behaviour, Reproduction, which produces the next generation, Economy, which acts as a basic economic unit, Education, for better jobs and for children to socialise. Murdock’s definition of the nuclear family also includes having at least one member of the opposite sex. A criticism about Murdock’s view would be that there might only be a mother and daughter without a father. Functionalism assumes society has consensus and ignores conflict, it therefore maybe seen as too positive. Functionalism also ignores diversity and inequalities in families. The Marxist view of the family would be different.
The Marxist view of the family is developed from a class analysis of society. Marxists see society as a capitalist society, divided into two antagonistic classes. The Marxist view of the family starts with the idea of Engels as expressed in ‘The Origin of the Family, Private and the State, published in 1884. Engels argued that the monogamous nuclear family developed to solve the problem of the inheritance of private property. Engels also said that the property should be passed on to the eldest male who is married.
Marxists think the family is part of a superstructure, which passes on ideologies that justify inequality. This passing on of ideology enables the bourgeoisie to maintain control of the economic base. Marxists view of the family is an ‘ideological conditioning device’. They also see family as oppressive, and inhibiting creativity.
The criticisms about the way Marxists view the family are, the approach towards family rests on assumptions about the nature of society i.e. that it is based on conflict between opposing groups. Society should be based on consensus. Marxist also Ignore family diversity, and see the nuclear family as being determined by the economy. The Marxist approach also ignores how change may come about because of legal and attitudinal changes. I think that Marxists are too critical. If we looked at the feminist view they would think differently.
Feminists believe that the family is the basic source of women’s oppression in society. They also think that the family operates for the benefit of men, because they believe male actions exploit women’s position in the family. Feminists attack the family, because they see it as patriarchal. They also see violence and domination in the family.
Laura Purdy, who was a Radical Feminist in 1997, felt that women’s second class position largely result from childcare responsibilities. She also said men are only contributing 20% towards domestic work, and said parenting is expensive and is a long-term commitment, especially for women. She felt that the only way to get equality would be to stop having children. This was called the ‘Babystrike’. I think Laura Purdy’s idea of the ‘Babystrike’ was a good idea for women to get equality, because men would also listen seriously to women and understand them more.
The criticisms of feminism are that it ignores the joy and fulfilment found by women in motherhood. The call for lesbianism and separatism has little appeal to the majority of women. Women are also seen as passive victims and not co-makers of history. Feminism shows how housework benefits capitalism but fails to explain why women should be responsible for it.
Overall, Functionalism has contributed to our understanding of the family in a major way. Murdock’s definition of the nuclear family is accepted in society, because it forms part of the way we lead our lives today. Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism have affected or changed society in some way, and in particular functionalism, because a continuing and growing family contributes to the cycle of life.
