CONFLICT IN FAMILIES

Conflict in Families: Marxist and Functionalist Perspectives

[Date of Submission]

Conflict in Families: Marxist and Functionalist Perspectives

Introduction

Conflict theories are mainly derived from the works of Karl Marx, Habermas, Weber, Domhoff, Engels and Foucault. The major focus of conflict theories is upon the conflict in society and the element of social inequality including the concept of feminism where feminism emphasizes inequality that exists between the genders as one form of social inequality. Principally speaking, according to the perspective of Karl Marx, the present structure of society and the way social relationships are build are the direct result of continuous social conflicts that exist in the society between those who are the owners and have control over the means of products and those who do not (Deutsch & Krauss, 1965). On similar grounds, Marxist perspective of the family as an important social institution is shaped by the capitalist system, which maintains and fosters a kind of relationship between the capitalists and the workers that is exploitive in nature. According to Marx, this capitalist influence family relationship as a way to sustain and consolidate the system.

The functionalist perspective regarding the family, on the other hand, is also considered by many as one of the major theories in sociology. The theory has its origin in the works and thinking a great scholar of sociology, Emile Durkheim, who was always focused upon the role of family in keeping in the social order and how this important social institutions aid in stabilizing the social structure (Shaw & Costanzo, 1970). This paper aims at exploring the concept of family and conflict in families from the perspective of both Marxism and Functionalism.

Discussion

Family has always been at the centre of sociological discourse throughout the modern human history, and almost every scholar of sociology attempted to interpret the role and status of family in a society, considering as one of the most important social institutions. As such, Marxist theory perceives is mainly influenced by the concept of association of property relations and structure of the family, with family being perceived, above everything, the significant institution, which performs an important function of reproducing the class. The Marxists move on to declare the family as some sort of safe haven for individuals who can exercise their frustration that is caused by their status in the larger society, within the family, in a way that does not pose any challenge for the overall capitalist system (Shaw & Costanzo, 1970).

Family conflict does not occur in isolation from other communication behaviors of families. Conflict is central to family communication and plays a role in what are among the most important functions of families, including the socialization of children; the development of autonomous and more independent identities of adolescents; and the negotiation and renegotiation of family roles, rules, and relationships. At the same time, however, to focus on family conflict alone when describing these functions and developing theoretical explanations of family conflict in isolation from other communication processes is to miss important parts of ...