The family unit plays a crucial role in society as it provides individuals with their first sources of socialization and attachment. However, the family unit has also been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate within the social sciences.
This article will explore the Marxist and feminist perspectives on the family, delving into their key theories and arguments.
Marxist Perspective on the Family
The Marxist perspective on the family argues that the family is an ideological apparatus that serves to reinforce capitalism and the patriarchal society that it promotes. The emergence of the nuclear family, according to Engels, was a product of capitalism and the institution of private property.
The rise of private property gave rise to the need for paternity, as rich men sought to ensure that they had legitimate heirs to pass on their wealth to. The nuclear family became the unit that served this purpose, with women taking on the role of reproduction and nurturing, while men took on the role of breadwinners.
The family unit also served as a unit of consumption, with the bourgeoisie exploiting the proletariat through advertising and the sale of consumer goods. The idea of “keeping up with the Jones’s” meant that the proletariat were constantly trying to acquire the material possessions that the bourgeoisie had, leading to the perpetuation of class inequality.
The family unit therefore served capitalism by perpetuating a consumerist culture. The ideological apparatus of the family also played a role in enforcing obedience and discipline.
Children were socialized into accepting their place within the hierarchy of society, with specific gender roles assigned to them. Girls were taught to be docile and nurturing, while boys were taught to be aggressive and independent.
This socialization ensured that the hierarchy of society was maintained and that inequality was perpetuated.
Feminist Perspective on the Family
The feminist perspective on the family argues that the family serves to reinforce patriarchal society, benefiting men at the expense of women. The family is a site of power struggle between men and women, with women being relegated to subordinate roles within the family unit.
This power struggle is perpetuated through the reinforcement of gender-specific roles, with women expected to take on the role of caregiver and men expected to take on the role of breadwinner. The reinforcement of these gender roles has the effect of placing women in a position of inferiority within the family unit.
Women are denied access to economic resources, which leads to their dependence on men. This dependence perpetuates the patriarchal society, with men having power over women due to their access to economic resources.
The feminist perspective also critiques the Marxist perspective, arguing that it does not take into account the diversity of society and understates the importance of changing social relations. Marxism sees society as being divided into two classes, the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, with the family unit serving to reinforce this division.
However, the emergence of an underclass and the growth of the service sector has led to a more complex and diverse society. The feminist perspective argues that these changes require a re-evaluation of the Marxist perspective on the family.
Conclusion
The Marxist and feminist perspectives on the family offer distinct and contrasting analyses of the role that the family unit plays in society. While the Marxist perspective sees the family unit as serving capitalism and perpetuating inequality, the feminist perspective sees the family unit as perpetuating patriarchal society and benefiting men at the expense of women.
Both perspectives argue that the family unit is a site of power struggle, with the Marxist perspective highlighting the class struggle and the feminist perspective highlighting the gender struggle.
Functionalist Perspective on the Family
The functionalist perspective on the family emphasizes the role that the family plays in maintaining social order and stability. It views the family as a vital component of society and argues that it serves important functions in ensuring the smooth functioning of society.
Evolution of Family as per Society
According to Parsons, the family has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of society. In the pre-industrial era, the extended family was the norm, with several generations living together under one roof.
The extended family was necessary to meet the economic needs of the family, as it provided a support system for its members. However, as society became more industrialized and the workforce became more mobile, the nuclear family became the norm.
The nuclear family was better suited to the needs of the post-industrial society, where people were more likely to move around for work. In recent years, there has been a decline in the nuclear family, with an increase in single-parent families and cohabitation.
This shift is seen as a response to the changing needs of society, as people seek out new ways of meeting their economic and social needs.
Primary Socialization
The family plays a crucial role in the socialization of individuals, teaching them the norms and values of society. Norms are the rules of behaviour that are considered acceptable in society, while values are the beliefs and ideals that shape our behaviour.
The family is responsible for teaching children these norms and values, as well as instilling a sense of order and discipline. Deviance is behavior that does not conform to societal norms, and the family plays a role in preventing deviance by instilling a sense of discipline and order in children.
The family also teaches children social control, which is the ability to regulate one’s own behaviour in accordance with societal norms.
Conflict of Interests
The family can also be a site of conflict of interests, as its members have different needs and desires. However, the need for social order and stability means that family members are often willing to make sacrifices for the benefit of the family as a whole.
The family provides support and love for its members, ensuring their well-being and happiness.
Positive Functions of Family
The functionalist perspective emphasizes the positive functions of the family, arguing that it serves important roles in the maintenance of society. The family provides emotional support and love for its members, which is crucial for their well-being and happiness.
It also provides practical support, such as financial assistance and care for the sick and elderly. Despite these positive functions, the functionalist perspective has been criticized for having a short-sighted view of the family.
It has been accused of ignoring the negative aspects of the family, such as domestic violence and abuse. Critics argue that an overemphasis on the positive functions of the family obscures the very real problems that exist within families.
Conclusion
The functionalist perspective on the family emphasizes the role that the family plays in maintaining social order and stability. It sees the family as a vital component of society and argues that it serves important functions in ensuring the smooth functioning of society.
The family has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of society, with the extended family being replaced by the nuclear family in post-industrial society. The family plays a crucial role in the socialization of individuals, teaching them the norms and values of society and preventing deviance.
While the functionalist perspective emphasizes the positive functions of the family, it has been criticized for having a short-sighted view of the family and ignoring the negative aspects of family life. In conclusion, the Marxist, feminist, and functionalist perspectives on the family offer distinct and contrasting analyses of the role that the family unit plays in society.
The Marxist perspective sees the family unit as serving capitalism and perpetuating inequality, while the feminist perspective sees the family unit as perpetuating patriarchal society and benefiting men at the expense of women. The functionalist perspective sees the family unit as a vital component of society that serves important functions in maintaining social order and stability.
Understanding these perspectives is crucial in developing a more nuanced understanding of the family unit and its impact on society. FAQs:
Q: What is the Marxist perspective on the family?
A: The Marxist perspective views the family unit as serving capitalism and perpetuating inequality. Q: What is the feminist perspective on the family?
A: The feminist perspective sees the family unit as perpetuating patriarchal society and benefiting men at the expense of women. Q: What is the functionalist perspective on the family?
A: The functionalist perspective views the family unit as a vital component of society that serves important functions in maintaining social order and stability. Q: How has the family unit evolved over time?
A: The family unit has evolved to meet the changing needs of society, with the extended family being replaced by the nuclear family in post-industrial society. Q: What role does the family play in socialization?
A: The family plays a crucial role in socializing individuals, teaching them the norms and values of society. Q: What are some positive functions of the family?
A: The family provides emotional and practical support for its members, ensuring their well-being and happiness. Q: What criticisms have been leveled at the functionalist perspective on the family?
A: The functionalist perspective has been criticized for having a short-sighted view of the family and ignoring the negative aspects of family life.