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Sociology (Couples (Domestic Violence (Who faces greater risks of DV…
Sociology
Family and Household
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Talcott Parsons (1955)
2 irreducible functions: socialization of children, stabilization of adult personalities
1) socialisation of children, teaching children the shared norms and values of society. Without this there would be no consensus.
2) stabilisation of adult personalities, the family relieves the pressures of everyday life and recharges the batteries of individuals.
Bath tub analogy - distress at home with the family, function 2.
Males have 'instrumental roles' (breadwinners) while females have an 'expressive role' (house maker).
Nuclear family - parents and their dependent children.
Extended family - three generations under one roof.
Ronald Fletcher
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Despite, diversity in family structures, the nuclear family is the most supported structure.
Robert Chester
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Even through family problems (e.g divorce, lone-parent families), the nuclear family is the most desired family form.
At least once in everyone's life, they have been part of a nuclear family.
The New Right
Favour the traditional nuclear family. (men are 'instrumental', women are 'expressive')
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Criticisms: not all nuclear families are perfect, group all single parents together - sweeping generalizations, Feminist argue that going back to traditional nuclear family structure is a step back - moving away from equality.
Marxism
Children are socialized into thinking inequality and hierarchy are the norm. Prepared for jobs at an early age.
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Parents buy their children the latest gadgets to avoid their peers laughing at or avoiding their children. (Fit in with society)
Criticisms: ignore the diversity in family structures, underestimates gender inequality within the family (feminist), ignores the benefits that the family provides its members (functionalists).
Feminism
Liberal feminists: focus on how to improve lives for women, believe things are gradually improving for women, believe we are moving to equality but more changes need to be made, similar to 'march of progress' view.
Marxist Feminists: women's oppression is caused by capitalism, women reproduce the labor force, women absorb anger that would otherwise be directed at capitalism ("takers of shit"), family should be abolished and classless society should replace capitalism.
Radical Feminist: society is ruled by men (patriarchal society), men are the enemy - source of women's oppression and exploitation, family and marriage are the key institutions for women's oppression.
Difference Feminist: white feminist - neglect racial oppression towards black feminist, black feminist - see the family as a source of support and resistant towards racism, others argue that the separation doesn't highlight how women share the same views - organisation.
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Couples
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Elizabeth Bott (1957)
Segregated conjugal roles couples have separate roles. 'Instrumental' and 'expressive' roles. Tend to spend leisure time separately.
Joint conjugal roles couples share tasks like housework and childcare. Tend to spend leisure time together.
'March of Progress' view
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Jonathan Gershuny (1994), women working full-time leads to more equal division of labour as women have lesser time to do domestic work.
Oriel Sullivan (2000), women were doing lesser shares of housework and men were doing more. (Analysis in 1975, 1987 and 1997)
Feminist view
Little sign of the 'new man' doing some work around the house and taking care of the children, while women have a duel burden.
Childcare
Ferri and Smith (1996), fathers took responsibility in fewer than 4% of families.
Dex and Ward (2007), fathers had higher participation with 3 year olds (78%) and with sick children only 1% took responsibility.
Braun, Vincent and Ball (2011), in 3/70 families that were studied the father was the main carer.
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Domestic Violence
The Home office defines domestic abuse as:
"Any incidents or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality."
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Russell and Rebecca Dobash (1997-2007) the cite examples of wives being slapped, pushed, beaten, raped or killed by husbands.
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The police can be reluctant to record violence because:
- the family is a private sphere, so access should be limited.
- the family is a good thing and so the 'darker side' should be ignored.
- individuals are free agents and can leave whenever the want. However, women are usually dependent on men and so don't have a choice but to stay in that relationship.
Explanations
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emphasises economic factors, lack of resources.
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