Theoretical Perspectives & The Family Knowledge Organiser
Theoretical
Perspective
View on the family
Key Names & Research
Key Term
Definition
Fit thesis
Functionalists have argued that the
nuclear family emerged in industrial
societies because it was a good fit for
the new way the economy operated.
This theory suggests that the nuclear
family has developed to fit the needs of
society. It exists to provide adequate
socialisation of norms and values for
children.
Parsons—Function of the family
Murdock—Function of the family
Functionalist
Chester—Neo-conventional
families.
Neo-Conventional
Consists of two employed adults and
fewer children.
Family
This theory suggest that the family is
there to socialise the capitalist norms of
society and that the family is negative for
society and for the people within them.
Karl Marx
Marxism
Ideological State
Apparatus
Marxist term for a social institution that
transmits the ideology of the ruling
and dominant classes.
Engels
Zaretsky
As this is a sociological movement there
is a huge amount of debate on the role
of the family. Ultimately Feminists
believe that gender socialisation in the
family leads to social differences in
society, the family is an institution which
oppresses women and their behaviour is
controlled by men.
Katherine Hakim
Ann Oakley
Germaine Greer
Betty Friedan
Capitalism
An economic and political system in
which a country's trade and industry
are controlled by private owners for
profit, rather than by the state
Feminism
Malestream Bias
Risk Society
Research or viewpoints that are fo-
cussed on males.
As a society we have more choices
but this might mean we face more
risks.
Post-Modernist
This theory suggests that people are
now choosing the family types that suit
their own individual needs rather than
complying with traditional structures.
The Rapoports
Giddens
Morgan
Negotiated families
Individualism
Individuals are able to arrange and
negotiate their relationships and
families.
Chester
This is where the individual is valued
above the group.
Weeks
Cohabitation
Golden Age
A couple that live together but are un-
married.
Stacey
New Right
This theory believes that the
Charles Murray
Those who believe the
traditional family type is the most benefi-
cial one for society and that structures
such as cohabitation and lone-parent
families do not provide adequate sociali-
sation for children
family is in decline often to an unspec-
ified period past when families were
happy and supportive and children
well behaved.