functionalism

How well do the theories of functionalism, Marxism and Feminism contribute to the sociological understanding of the family by Martin
This essay will approach the three different models based on functionalism, Marxism and feminism theories. The information will show sociological understandings of how and why particular assumptions about the social world are connected. Functionalism or the building or structural framework theory sees that society is a complex system with parts working together to promote stability and solidarity. Karl Marx is the father of the social conflict theory, he talked about Capitalists. They are people who own and operate factories and other businesses in pursuit of profits, where the struggle between segments of society overvalued resources turning a small population into capitalists in the 19th century. Feminism analysis the status and differences of men and women in society, the theory is mainly about giving women a voice. Also highlighting there contribution towards society.
Functionalism; is the theory that all aspects of a society are related, and that function is to serve a purpose within social institutions. The function has interrelated parts- so every element must be operational and they are necessary for the survival of the social system. Each part contributes to a direct role, it has to adapt and stay in harmony and equilibrium in order for that society to function as a whole; Ground report.com (2009). Functionalism is traced back to Comte. A (1798-1857). BlogSpot (2011).Who is the founder to the approach to positivism; Comte a philosopher, argued that the physical world operates according to gravity and other laws of morality, and so does society. Sociologists argue these personal beliefs are bound to influence, and how the study of that data was interpreted. Mill`s. C (1959). Leading functionalists were; Durkheim E (1858-1917) and Parsons. T (1902-1979). These functionalists are associated with the development of the macro theory, which is an approach and analysis of disciplines to the rules and procedures of large scale society systems. A conflict perspective is the view that society proposes conflict to be a normal feature of social life by influencing the structure of leadership and the direction of social change. Page 1
The Functionalists see the family role as supposed to be contributing to the wellbeing of society. The social structures of the different relations in the families are. The nuclear family; It is a small family unit that consists of the husband, wife and their dependent children. The extended larger family; contains other members related by birth, marriage or adoption. Murdoch. P (1897-1985) in (1949) defined family as a social group with common residence, economic co-operation and reproduction, which includes two adults of different sexes who maintain a socially approved sexual relationship. He also derived that the nuclear family is `universal`, either by itself or as a base unit within the extended family. Although he argues that the family performs four basic functions, these are sexual, economic, reproductive and education. Murdoch believes, `no society has succeeded in finding an adequate substitute for the nuclear family`. His definition does not include single parents or other social places, like communes. And there is no consideration for domestic abuse or violence. However, Parsons argues that the family retains two `basic and irreducible` functions. They are the primary socialisation of children, so they learn the values and attitudes of society from an early age. Secondly, the stabilisation of adult personalities; the unstable personalities can threaten the balance and smooth running of society. Strengths and weaknesses; according to Parsons (1964) `The social order should result from general consensus`, meaning agreement in how people should behave. This value consensus is about right and wrong, and that it helps society integrate and run smoothly. Although the structural theory does not handle issues of diversity or oppression in any conventional way, the individuals will be ranked in accordance with these values and judged by them. It appears that functionalists have a strong belief in society, and they assume that society on balance is fair and ordered. Also happy families that perform essential functions both for their members and society are pictured as living in harmony; this does not cover the dysfunctional side as part of a whole. It does observe society as a complex system and is organized in terms of rules, and the stability of relationships is structured bought about by value consensus. It assumes the basic needs are met in order for a society to survive, although functionalists cannot explain social change very well. Page2. Martin
It appears they believe that society exists to fulfill requirements, when these are met there is no need for change. The radical and class conflict theory, comes from Marx. K (1818-1883) it differs from the functionalist based consensus theory. Marx sees society being based on power inequalities because of the existence of class order, and he points out that history progresses through changes and the relations of production. In an explanation of how society works, he argued that the development of capitalism would lead to poverty and crises. In the book: Kirby. M. ET AL (1997) .Marx had a writing companion called Engels F. (1820-1895). Engels a Marxist was also a political theorist and philosopher; he was one of the contributors to modern communism, which was based of the principal of communal ownership of the resources needed to produce goods and services. Together they predicted that capitalism would end with a revolution, between the proletariat rising up against the bourgeoisie and resulting in communism. Marx believed that society was segregated in terms of class.The key to understanding a society at any point in history was to focus on the modes of production these were primitive, slave, feudal and capitalist, where in the capitalist society. The capitalists are defined as exploitative by those who did not own and control the productive. Productive meaning everything needed in society to make the end product and produce the goods for society. There are two main groups which have conflicting issues with each other, the working and the ruling class. Therefore either you own the means of production and have the power, or you do not and have to work for those who do. Marx idea, describes this as economic determinism: Societies class system operated by those who hold power or means of production. Class can also control and shape everything else in their interests. The View on the family comes mostly from Engels (1972).He pointed out that the family is shaped by the economic structure in which it exists. By purchasing large amounts of consumer goods, the family supports and sustains the capitalist (and therefore inequality). He also suggests that the family as we know it was `invented` at the same time in history as private property and the state. Monogamy was created and seen to control women, and to establish legal lines of inheritance to private property.
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The idea of this being that fathers could establish who their children were, and to make sure the property or capitalist values were was passed down correctly. This social organization suggested that men could control women in the family and in society through conditioning. Zaretsky. E (1976), points out that the family serves an unequal society namely through the unpaid work of women. The family unit stay dependent on the male wage. It is not always possible for the family to sustain the pressure and shocks of frustration from work place. Althusser. L (1971), defined repression and ideology, one controls people through physically or with the threat of force. Ideology has a material existence and affects how people think in society. These exploited people who are powerless, are given to false consciousness. They are made to think society is better than it really is, but is really a subject of state control. Donzelot .J (1985).The author; policing of families argues that the family is not as `private` as it seems, and tries to enforce social control by informal or formal means; the regulation and monitoring by the state, doctors, teachers, the police and social workers. Durkheim refers to this form of control as regulation. The weaknesses are in the inequalities, and the tendency to be negative about the family in general. Marxists view their society based on economic infrastructure, with a superstructure on top. They see society as divided into social class, and the conflict between it. Marxist sociology is entirely focused on the benefits to the economy, and ignores benefits to individuals and society.
Marxist feminism sees the exploitation of women as essential to the success of capitalism. Feminists view their society as being designed in the order to meet the wishes and needs of men (patriarchy), and that family is seen as the vehicle for control of women. These societies are manufactured through institutions such as family and gender inequalities in the education system. Women`s position as wives and mothers to young, internalize the attitudes of male dominance. They want to empower people and campaign against patriarchy. Spark Summit (2012) There are many different types of feminism, radical feminism is seen as a patriarchal system of power that organizes society into the complex relationships ,based on the assertion of male dominance