The nuclear family can be set out and seen as a solution due to its profound functions it has upon the family unit. Since the nuclear family has sprung out from the functionalist ideology, it has strong links within the political spectrum of society. Such is seen within the UK, focusing on the conservative party discourse, it promotes the nuclear family to be the ideal, perfect model of the family, with a traditional family stance to its discourse. For example as Skolnicks (1974, pp.7-8 cited in Muncie, J et al (1993) p.60) summarises the main within this conservative model as follows. The nuclear family is universal family unit, consisting of a man and women and children, which has been present in the past, present and future. Also the nuclear family is recognised as the solution for the society, the foundations in which gives a balance and stability to the whole of society. According to this discourse, the nuclear family provides biological labour functions for the man as the provider and female as the housewife, which maintains this balance and can be the basis or building block for the society to function. As described, although there can be benefits towards this nuclear family model, it can be clear that the functionalist perspective view of the nuclear family have some underpinning issues, which are more than stabilising the society.
Concentrating on other sociological perspectives upon the nuclear family, it can be seen that they do not hold the same positive stance as the functionalist perspective does. One main critique of the nuclear family is the Marxist perspective.
The Marxist ideology was based upon that the human society would create liberation into reality rather than just a dream. Marxists such as Engel’s, Young and Taylor held views that human emancipation could only occur if humans integrated within a social framework which in effect would be free from inequalities that disfigured all previous and existing social structures. (Morrow, J 1998). However it can be illustrated that the nuclear family has its inequalities within the gender labour divisions.
Marxists view that the nuclear family is not universal, but a product of capitalism.
As Day-Sclater S, (2000) p. 27 states “The family is a unit of consumption, that buys the goods and services produced by the economy”. Also the Marxists stance focused on the hidden agendas behind the nuclear family unit. As Engel’s (1884) work had highlighted certain issues such as, the development of the modern family, where the nuclear family being associated with guaranteed male power and ‘private ownership of property’ (Day-Sclater S, 2000). Engel’s (1884) also had linked this male dominance as a vehicle by which men control women’s sexuality, (Muncie J, et al 1993).Where the husband provides maintenance for the wife, in return for her fidelity and provides her with children. As it can be illustrated that, the Marxists ideology in effect is interlinked with the feminist perspective upon the nuclear family, as it will be discussed in further detail.
Feminists criticise the nuclear family as the focus on the exploitation of women by men, Feminist Margaret Benson (Taylor, P et al, 2000) focused mainly only the point that women are a source of cheap labour, as the housewife is unpaid for her efforts. Within the family women, are primarily seen as a housewife and mother and in this environment men are given the control over women’s sexuality and fertility, as Engel had also mentioned. Feminist Ann Oakley (Day-Sclater S, (2000) in the 1970's had one of her main theory on ‘the domestic work’ women implemented at home; Oakley had highlighted the problems women faced in everyday life. These were the contradictions they resolved between the hard physical labour involved in home making and childcare as well as marriage expectations from the male figure. Also Delphy, (Day-Sclater S, (2000) pointed out that oppressions occur within the family because women who are dependants do not own their own labour power in the same ways the male head own theirs.
In conclusion, the family is considered as the main source of socialisation. This means any change in how the family works will therefore consequence society. Within the society it is not only necessary to look at the change in the structure of the family but also its changing role. The subject of the nuclear family and how it is defined is extremely difficult to determine. Marxists position asserts that the nuclear family is not universal but a product of capitalism and that the family is an exploitive institution, and that it was the simplest solution for insuring legitimacy of proposed heirs. Whereby Functionalism is a strong supporter of the family, believing it to be the ‘cornerstone’ of society. Feminists’ criticise the family as the focus on the exploitation of women by men, they argue that men dominate family relationships. It can be seen that these pre conceived ideas are mostly to do with our own backgrounds, culture and life experiences. However whilst answering the question of ‘is the nuclear family a problem or solution, as it has been discussed in this assignment, that the nuclear family is more towards a problem rather than a solution. Primarily because is fails to recognises other variations of family structures. For example single parents, extended families and gay and lesbian families. And also bearing in mind, the set functions of the gender roles are not so practical in today’s society. It can be seen that these pre conceived ideas are mostly to do with our own backgrounds, culture and life experiences.
References:
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Bernades J (1997) Family Studies: An introduction Routledge London .
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Day-Sclater S (2000) Families, Hodder and Stoughton London.
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Haralambos & Holborn, (1995), Sociology Themes and Perspectives, Collins Ed: London
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Morrow, J (1998) History of political thought. Palgrave :New York.
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Muncie J, et al (1993) Understanding the family sage London.
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P Taylor et al, (2000,) Sociology in Focus, Causeway Press.
