FUNCTIONALISTS AND MARXIST THEORIES OF THE FAMILY

Functionalists And Marxist Theories Of The Family

Functionalists And Marxist Theories Of The Family

Introduction

When we think of a typical family we may well indeed picture the idealised nuclear family. However what we fail to notice is that beneath every family there are both negative as well as positive issues that are present. When we then come in to terms with this concept we can then come to an understanding that finding a single definition of what the family is, is pointless. Finding one overall definition would fail to embrace all types of households which a family may live in and the relationships they share. If we were to look at different families individually rather then overall we would find how there behavioural and lifestyle patterns differ and in result we start to build up an understanding how different families work. When dealing with the family we are faced with two main theories of Functionalism and Marxism which attempt to understand how each family works and their role in society. This essay will explore the different views from these theories on the family, analysing how they may contrast and compare in points of view.

Discussion

Functionalist always base there theories on how something is for the good of the society. Thus the family is then seen as a positive role in society and Functionalists therefore believe that the nuclear family is a positive institution which in result is beneficial for the good of society. When we contrast this view with Marxism we come to find that overall that the family is negative for society because the family is conditioned to work for the capitalist class.

One famous sociologist who supported Functionalism was Peter Murdoch. After his study over 250 cross cultural studies on the family he came to the conclusion that the family is universal. In this sense they are therefore obliged to carry out four functions to keep society in tact which include sexual, reproduction, economic and education. Marx equally agreed with Murdoch that the family is there to carry out a function towards society. However in contradiction he felt the families function was to work for the capitalist class, conditioning individuals to become the workers of tomorrow.

After reproduction the family will try to give the offspring the capitalist ideology to for example, encourage competition against others and to consume goods. However the functions of the family to carry out capitalist ideology will eventually corrupt society, when workers realise they are been exploited and create a class of their own. We can then question why we carry out this function because in the long run it isn't beneficial. Murdoch's theory conflicted with Marx's because he argued that the functions in functionalism are beneficial for not only the society but also for individual members. This in result makes the functions inseparable so both most serve at the same time. For example the sexual gratification between husband and wife who live in a society were sexual activity ...