Perspectives on families and the relationship between families and society: Practice Questions

According to the feminist sociologist Ann Oakley, the idea of the "symmetrical family" is flawed because:

Talcott Parsons argued that in modern industrial societies, the family has lost many of its previous functions but retains two "irreducible" functions. One is the primary socialisation of children; what is the other?

Sociologists such as Peter Laslett challenged Talcott Parsons' "fit thesis" by using parish records to prove that:

Marxist sociologists argue that the family serves the capitalist system by acting as a unit of consumption. This is often achieved through:

Which feminist perspective argues that the family is the primary source of women's oppression and that men are the main beneficiaries of this system?

According to functionalist sociologists, identify one primary function that the family performs for society.

Briefly describe how Marxist sociologists view the family's role as an agent of social control through the socialisation of children.

How does a feminist perspective explain the persistence of the dual burden in contemporary households?

Identify and explain two ways in which Functionalist sociologists, such as George Murdock, argue that the family contributes to the stability of the wider social system.

Explain the Marxist perspective on the family as an agent of social control. In your answer, describe how the family maintains the capitalist system through:
(a) The socialisation of children into hierarchy.
(b) The role of the family as a unit of consumption.