Changes in Family Structure: Perspectives from Functionalism, Feminism, Marxism and Interactionism

This article discusses the changes in family structure, including marriage, divorce, separation, and child rearing. It also explores the perspectives of functionalism, feminism, Marxism, and interactionism on family and society. The article highlights the similarities and differences between these perspectives.

RUNNING HEADER: Sociology
Sociology
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Introduction
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RUNNING HEADER: Sociology
Generally a family entails a group of two or more people who reside together and they
relate to each other by birth, marriage and adoption. In this article I will explain how family
unit has changed starting from marriage, divorce, separation and child bearing.
There are a lot of changes which have been incurred in family unit (Strong& Cohen, 2013
p.41). To start with, there is huge change in marriage sector in family unit. Some of changes
incurred in family includes;
First there is the aspect of same sex marriages is seen as a change. Many people are not
married even after reaching the appropriate age for marriage. There is change in marriage and
cohabitation which in real sense it has contributed to the increased number of new types of
families in our society. In addition there is increase singletons which has changed the
marriage system in the society (Smith, 2013 p.123).
On other hand there is increased rate of divorce within the family unit. Researchers indicates
that 40% of the marriages end in divorce. This is to suggest that divorce has been identified
as the main factor which has changed the family unit in society. Divorce results from various
reasons. There are a lot of law Acts in different countries which has encouraged divorce.
Countries like Britain has the highest divorce rate due to change in laws. On this issue of
divorce we tend to identify the issue of separation. This aspect has transformed the family
structure in sense that we have different people with different attitudes on family. Separation
is accelerated by different morals in society. Technology and other social cultural beliefs
have facilitated separation in different countries.
Also, a change has been noticed in the child rearing sector. This is to say that nowadays both
men and women are used to rear children. Back in 1980s child rearing was a duty assigned to
the women in society. This has transformed the family unit toextend that new family
structures are now operating.
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RUNNING HEADER: Sociology
Reasons for the changes in the family structure.
Family change results from various reasons. Some of these reasons includes;
First is that there are increased legal separation laws which have been established. This
means that spouse are living separately although the spouse cannot get married to other
people (Gittins, 2017 p.34).
Increased use of mass media has changed the roles in family. What media is advocating for
example change of those roles assigned to men and women? Now women are doing what
men used to do.
Domestic labour on other hand has resulted due to increased level of literacy in the society.
Women are securing big position in companies. This has resulted to change of domestic roles.
Women were believed to do house work but as the society is getting more educated people
you find that domestic labour is changing. Over 40 % of women are in work force.
There is also another reason which has changed the power within the society. Power
relationships in family structure has changed through legislations (Edgell, 2013 p.78). Laws
are advocating for equality in sense that all men and women are equal. We not concentrating
on what we used to think there before- that is fathers are not the heads of families as it was
long time ago but currently both wife and husband have equal rights.
External factors that have driven change in modern society.
These factors include;
Technological influence especially the social media which has both negative and positive
effects to the society (Morgan,2014 p.54).That is negative effects to the children in sense that
social media has changed the mental set up and declining the quality in our lifestyle.
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RUNNING HEADER: Sociology
Demographic factor which has resulted to changes in size of population which is based on
different factors in society.
Cultural factors too have driven change in modern society.Through the values and beliefs we
notice how cultural changes has resulted to social change in society.
The economic factor which has increased the industrialization level in the society. This has
induced change in society and that’s why there is change in domestic roles in family
(Hofferth, Pleck, Goldscheider, Curtin, Hrapezynski, 2012 p.61).
Political factor also has driven change in society. Laws such as divorce laws, widow
remarriage and inheritance are the examples which have brought to change in society.
Task 4.1
The section discusses the concept of functionalist,feminism,Marxism and
interactionism.All these have different similarities and differences about the family and
society at large (Kidd&Teagle, 2012 p.67)
Functionalist is based on the consensus and the entire order that is found within the society
and focusing on the social stability and the common public values (O'Byrne,2013 p.64) .From
this perspective we get to understand that deviant behaviour leads to change in sense that
societal elements need to adjust so as to fit the stability needed in society or family.
Feminism basically means equal rights posed by the men and women in society. That is no
one in the society is better than the other. This means that everyone in society or even within
the family is equal on all levels (Pike& Beames, 2013 p.67). The perspective of this factor in
society is that it has ensure equal rights and equal treatment for all sexes in the society.
Marxism tends to analyse the material conditions and other related economic activities that
are necessary to fulfil human material needs thus giving room to explain a certain social
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RUNNING HEADER: Sociology
phenomena in society (Aleck, 2015 p.43).The perspective to the society is assumed that
economic or production process impacts on other social phenomena in the society.
Interactionism describes how individuals are shaped by the society and how they shape
society itself through the entire meaning that arise in interaction. Its perspective derives the
social processes such as conflict resolution, encouraging cooperation in society and checking
on issue of identity formation (Agger, 2014 p.78).
Similarities in functionalist, feminism, Marxism and interactionism.
 Both fights for the society in sense that their perspectives is to bring change.
 Each has unique characteristic that distinguish from the other.
 They are part of sociology factors that describes reason for the change.
 Both perspectives operates on the macro approach in the society (Agger, 2014
p.132).This shows that they look society as a big structure or picture especially when
doing investigations.
 They utilises the structural approach –meaning that all perspectives views society as
the important thing as compared to the individuals.
 They all argue that society prepares one for a certain position within the unequal
society
Differences.
Perspective Difference Theory
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RUNNING HEADER: Sociology
Functionalist Functionalist interprets society to be similar with the
human body-meaning that society comprises
different entities that work together.
Interprets parts keenly in society so as to ensure
there is stability (McLaughlin, 2017 p.89).
It agitates for the total change
Each aspect in society is independent and it focuses
to contribute to stability and functioning as a whole.
Functionalist believes that each member in the
society is held by consensus whereby all members
in the society agrees upon and work under same
goal to achieve the intended purpose.
Functionalist
theory
Feminism It is based on the patriarchy approach. This is to say
that society operates so as to meet the needs and
wishes of the men in the society (Pike& Beames,
2013 p.87).
Women are seen as the second class in the society.
Observes gender in relation to power.
Advocates for equal rights in the society.
Feminism theory
Marxism This perspective sees society as operating solely so
as to incur profits to the ruling class in the society.
It is associated with the conflict theory and the
critical theory in society.
It focuses on study of politico –economic strategy.
Marxism Theory
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RUNNING HEADER: Sociology
It is seen as field of economic sociology in the
society.
Emphasizes on forces of production which embraces
change in society.
Interactionism It derives the entire social perspective.
Believes that meaning is derived through
interactions.
It states that gender is something people do not what
people belief (Smith, 2013 p.323).
It derives most of the meaning from the social
interaction within the society.
The goal of social interaction within the society is to
communicate with other people.
In symbolic interactionism the perspective is based
on human behaviour which analyses the role played
by symbols in human interaction.
It emphasizes that individual’s perception of himself
or herself is based on how society views him or
herself.
Interactionism
theory
Reference
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RUNNING HEADER: Sociology
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Edgell, P., 2013. Religion and family in a changing society(Vol. 57). Princeton University
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Gittins, D., 2017. The family in question: Changing households and familiar ideologies.
Macmillan International Higher Education.
Hofferth, S., Pleck, J., Goldscheider, F., Curtin, S. and Hrapezynski, K., 2012. Changing
family structure and men’s motivation for parenthood and parenting in the US. Handbook of
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80.
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