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1. Theoretical Perspectives on
Families
The sociology of family is the subdiscipline of sociology that attempts to describe and explain
patterns of family life and variations in family structure. Functionalist perspective emphasize
the functions that families perform at the macrolevel of society, whereas conflict and feminist
perspectives focus on families as a primary source of social inequality. Symbolic interactionists
examine microlevel interactions that are integral to the roles of different family members.
Functionalist perspective
Functionalists emphasize the importance of
the family in maintaining the stability of
society and the well-being of individuals.
According to Emile Durkheim, marriage is a
microcosmic replica of the larger society;
both marriage and society involve a mental
and moral fusion of physically distinct
individuals(Lehmann, 1994). Durkheim also
believed that a division of labor contributes
to greater efficiency in all areas of life—
including marriages and families—even
though he acknowledged that this division
imposes significant limitations on some
people.
In the United States, Talcott Parsons was a
key figure in developing a functionalist
model of the family. According to Parsons
(1995), the husband/father fulfills the
instrumental role (meeting the family’s
economic needs, making important
decisions, and providing leadership),
whereas the wife/mother of all feels the
expressive role (running the household,
caring for children, and meeting the
emotional needs of family members).
Contemporary functionalist perspective
some families derive their foundation from
Durkheim. Division of labor makes it possible
for families to fulfill a number of functions
that no other institution can perform as
effectively. In advanced industrial societies,
family serve four key functions:
1. Sexual regulation. Families are expected to
regulate the sexual activity of their members
and thus control reproduction so that it
occurs within specific boundaries. At the
macrolevel, incest taboos prohibit sexual
contact or marriage between certain
relatives. For example, virtually all societies
prohibit sexual relations between parents
and their children and between brothers and
sisters.
2. Socialization. Parents and other relatives
are responsible for teaching children the
necessary knowledge and skills to survive.
The smallness and intimacy of families make
them best suited for providing children with
the initial learning experiences they need.
3. Economic and psychological support.
Families are responsible for providing
economic and psychological support for
members. And preindustrial societies,
families are economic production units; in

2. industrial societies, the economic security of
families is tied to the workplace and to
macrolevel economic systems. In recent
years, psychological support and emotional
security have been increasingly important
functions of the family.
4. Provision of social status. Families confer
social status and reputation on their
members. These statuses include the
ascribed statuses with which individuals are
born, such as race/ethnicity, nationality,
social class, and sometimes religious
affiliation. One of the most significant and
compelling forms of social placement is the
family’s class position and the opportunities
(or lack thereof) resulting from that position.
Examples of class-related opportunities are
access to quality healthcare, higher
education, and a safer place to live.
Conflict and Feminist Perspective
Conflict and feminist analysts view
functionalist perspective on the role of the
family in society as idealized and
inadequate. Rather than operating
harmoniously and for the benefit of all
members, families are sources of social
inequality and conflict over values, goals,
and access to resources and power.
According to some conflict theorists,
families in capitalist economies are similar to
the work environment of a factory. Women
are dominated by men in the home in the
same manner that workers are dominated by
capitalist and managers in factories (Engels,
1970/1884). Although childbearing and care
for family members in the home contribute
to capitalism, these activities also reinforce
the subordination of women through unpaid
(and often devalued) labor. Other conflict
analysts are concerned with the effect that
class conflict has on the family. The
exploitation of the lower classes by the
upper classes contributes to family problems
such as high rates of divorce and overall
family instability.

3. Some feminist perspectives on inequality in
families focus on patriarchy rather than
class. From this viewpoint, men’s
domination over women existed long before
capitalism and private ownership of property
(Mann, 1994). Women’s subordination is
rooted in patriarchy and men’s control over
women’s labor power (Hartmann, 1981).
According to one scholar, “Male power in our
society is expressed in economic terms even
if it does not originate in property relations;
women’s activities in the home have been
undervalued at the same time as their labor
has been controlled by men” (Mann, 1994:
42). In addition, men have benefited from
the privileges they derive from their status as
family breadwinners.
Symbolic Interactionist
Perspective
Early symbolic interactionists such as
Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert
Mead provide key insights on the roles we
play as family members and how we modify
or adapt our roles to the expectations of
others—especially significant others such as
parents, grandparents, siblings, and other
relatives. How does the family influence the
individual’s self-concept and identity? In
order to answer questions such as this one,
contemporary symbolic interactionists
examine the roles of husbands, wives, and
children as they act out their own parts and
react to the actions of others. From such a
perspective, what people think, as well as
what they say and do, is very important in
understanding family dynamics.
According to the sociologists Peter Berger
and Hansfried Kellner (1964), interaction
between marital partners contributes to his
shared reality. Although newlyweds bring
separate identities to a marriage, over time
they construct a shared reality as a couple. In
the process, the partners redefine their past
identities to be consistent with new realities.
Development of a shared reality is a
continuous process, taking place not only in
the family but in any group in which the
couple participates together. Divorce is the
reverse of this process; couples may start
with a shared reality and, in the process of
uncoupling, gradually develop separate
realities (Vaughan, 1985).
Symbolic interactionists explain family
relationships in terms of the subjective

4. meanings and everyday interpretations that
people give to their lives. As the sociologist
Jesse Bernard (1982/1973) pointed out,
women and men experience marriage
differently. Although the husband may see
his marriage very positively, the wife may
feel less positive about her marriage, and
vice versa. Researchers have found that
husbands and wives may give very different
accounts of the same event and that their
“two realities” frequently do not coincide
(Safilios-Rothschild, 1969).

5. Quick Review Chart
Theoretical Perspectives on Families
Perspective Focus Key Points Perspectives on Family
Problems
Functionalist Role of families in
maintaining stability of
society and individuals’
well-being.
In modern societies,
families serve the
functions of sexual
regulation, socialization,
economic and
psychological support,
and provision of social
status.
Family problem are
related to changes in
social institutions such as
the economy, religion,
education, and
law/government.
Conflict/Feminist Families as sources of
conflict and social
inequality.
Families both mirror and
help perpetuate social
inequalities based on class
and gender.
Family problems reflect
social patterns of
dominance and
subordination.
Symbolic Interaction Family dynamics,
including communication
patterns and the
subjective meanings that
people assign to events.
interactions within
families create a shared
reality.
How family problems are
perceived and defined
depends on patterns of
communication, the
meanings that people give
to roles and events, and
individual’s
interpretations of family
interactions.
MLA Citation for this article:
Kendall, Diana. “Theoretical Perspectives on Families.” Sociology in Our Times: the
Essentials, by Diana Kendall, 8th ed., Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2012, pp.
354–357.