Deck 11: D: Families

Question 1

Compare and contrast conflict theory and post-structuralist theory on relationships within the family structure.

Answer 1

Explain the power struggles between women who work outside the home (bad mothers)and women who work inside the home (good mothers).Do the same for fathers (breadwinner or daddy daycare).These struggles mirror the daily struggles for people to survive within their society.In looking at relationships as being power based,post-structuralist theorists are quite close to the conflict theorists,who see the exploitation of workers beginning with the workers in the home.Both of these theorists view family as a conflict-ridden environment where there is a constant struggle for balance.

Question 2

Why does defining family have important consequences for individuals living in Canada? If this is the case,why is providing a universal definition "both highly problematic and undesirable?"

Answer 2

Defining family,both socially and legally,has important consequences,not only for our individual lives but also for how we are situated in relation to social institutions.For example,the legalization of same-sex marriages has made certain rights and benefits available to married same-sex couples that were at one time available only to married heterosexual couples.Recognized partners can have access to each other's employment benefits,and they are able to apply to adopt or to foster children.In the event of a medical emergency,partners are the first persons contacted and are able to make decisions on their partner's behalf.Legalization also affords partners rights and benefits in terms of inheritance in the event of the death of their partner.
Providing a universal definition of family that is relevant in Canada and elsewhere,however,is both highly problematic and undesirable because the term family is a "minefield of contested values and power relationships" with some groups lobbying for more inclusive definitions of families and others for tighter restrictions on who can be included in a family.Moreover,different definitions of family are invoked in particular circumstances-in law,in government policy,in religious doctrine,and so forth.The reality,then,is that the boundaries of the concept family must be understood as fluid.

Question 3

How have queer theorists and feminists changed and challenged the idea of "nuclear family," and what are some of the changes that have been implemented?

Answer 3

Answers should include the concept of family being solely founded on mother,father,and children.Mention should be made of how laws and policies are affecting marriage (Bill C-38).Both theories point out the oppression of sexes within traditional family structures.Both consider the influences from outside the family unit to put pressure to conform to the status quo.The feminist movement worked toward equality for both gays/lesbians as well as for women to work as equals within society.Both also challenge socially mediated practices such as childbirth,as being solely a part of heteronormativity.

Question 4

Discuss what Parson meant by "instrumental" and "expressive" roles,and explain why this explanation of family functioning has been widely criticized.

Question 5

Explain functionalist understandings of the family.How do feminists (or conflict theorists)expand on functionalist understandings of the family?

Question 6

Analyze current "spanking laws" in Canada from two different theoretical perspectives.

Question 7

How and why have family structures changed from the "nuclear" family of the 1950s?

Question 8

According to Engels,how did the family,and particularly the role of women,alter to meet the needs of a capitalist economy?

Question 9

Develop an essay in which you compare the structure of your family of origin with the "monolithic" and idealized "nuclear family," using one of the following theoretical perspectives: symbolic interactionism,conflict theory,functionalism,post-structuralism,queer theory.

Question 10

Discuss the two big changes in recent decades that have affected how families negotiate the competing demands of income generation and managing households.What do you see as being the next major change,and why?