Revision notes on family theories by Functionalists, Marxists, Feminists etc.

other emotionally, physically, and sexually. It also provides means of relaxing and relaxing from modern living.Men and women have clearly defined, separate roles.Instrumental = menExpressive = womenThey believe that the family oppresses its members and the nuclear family is an ISA and family legitimises inequality. Supporting capitalism. 1)Althusser-ISA- family, education and religionRSA- police, courts and law which are physical forms of control.2) Engels- men are bread winners as they oppress women. They are glorified prostitutes in the home used to produce the next work force.Also, believes the main function of the family is the reproduction of the capitalist system. As they pass their properties on to their offspring’s.(patriarchal society)3) zaretsky- argues the nuclear family benefits capitalism more than other forms as anISA to promote capital interest.4) cooper- family overwhelms individuals, preventing them from thinking for themselves and realising their individual potential.The don’t reject the structure of a family rather the blame to be diverted at the laws such as the sex discrimination act and the equal pay act which do not fulfil full equality within men and women.1) Somerville-radical feminists as she argues have failed to acknowledge the progress made by women and their view that women should live apart from men is unrealistic. Even though most divorces are initiated by women, in fact most get remarried shows they do want relationships with men.They believe that the family is patriarchal and that women are a reserve army of labour. Also, they believe that patriarchy arises from capitalist relations.1) Veronica Beechey- believes that housewives carry out two functions. To provide care for current and future workers other is to be a cheap reserve of army labour.2) Fran ainsley- believes that women are the expressive leaders, providing emotional support and that “women are takers of shit” because they deal with their husbands anger and frustration from work. She believes women are oppressed.3) Margaret benston- the amount of unpaid labour performed by women is very large and profitable to those who own the means of production.They believe that patriarchy leads to the subordination of women and children in the home and in wider society. Rape and sexual assault are example of male power.1) Delphy & Leonard- argues the family role is to maintain patriarchy. They believe that the family is an economic system whereby men benefit and women get exploited; this Is because family members work for the head of the household not themselves. 2) Andréa dworkins- states Under a patriarchal family, every woman's daughter is a victim, past, present and future and every woman's son is her potential betrayer and also the inevitable rapist or exploiter of another woman.The believe family in U.K is diverse and see variation as normal. Their idea is supported by feminism on emerging family forms.  They accept variation from family types but emphasize diversity is due to individualism.1) Stacey- like Allen and crow she uses the post-modern concept that families no longer progress through stages, rather there is no dominant type of family in contemporary society. Femininities and masculinities have undergone change and remain diverse.2) Pakulski and waters- claim that contemporary family roles are a matter of choice which is influenced by consumption and media images.3) Lewis- argues new labour has a post-modern policy approach towards families consisting of flexibility, diversity and contradictory policies.Their view is similar to that of functionalists. They see nuclear family as an ideal type of family and intolerant of other family types. They have the connotations of lone parents living off benefits, having short term-relationships and having children with men who disregard their offspring’s as their responsibility.1) Dennis- examined family type and crime. He found out social control which was examined by past family traditions have been weakened. Claiming that boys do not have role models to copy in families with split parents, thus resulting in delinquent behaviour.2) Rapoport- family are building blocks for the society. Family is based on heterosexual marriage between a husband and a wife. A family require strong and disciplined parents. All other arrangements are deviant and a threat to society.3) Charles Murray- the emergence of the underclass is due to the breakdown of traditional nuclear families, which have resulted in birth of children out of wedlock, single families and decline in morality.