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A Critique of Functionalist and Marxist Theories
Introduction
I will compare the theories and criticisms of Marxism and Functionalism in relation to the family. ... Two main functionalist theorists are George Peter Murdock and Talcottt Parsons although their theory on the family is slightly different. ...
The Functionalist theory has been criticised because married couples are pictured as living in harmony and as effective socialisers of the next generation, which is not always the case. ... Engles, a Marxist theorist, argued that the nuclear family was developed by the capitalist society to ensure the line of inheritance and to abolish all arguments of paternity. ...
The Marxist theory has been criticized because they believe that the economic system shapes the family, however most sociologists believe that the economy does affect the family but it is not shaped by the needs of that system. ... The Marxist view is also very deterministic and it does not look at the positive functions of the family such as the emotional support that is often provided within the family unit.
Comparisons
The Functionalist theory and the Marxist theory do have some similarities, both theories agree that the family is a unit of socialisation.
Approximate Word count = 927
Approximate Pages = 3.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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