This essay will look at the functionalist perspective that supports that the family as universal, essential and beneficial by drawing on the views held by George Murdock and Talcott Parsons. This perspective will be challenged by the Marxist theory that believes the family is an aid to capitalism. In addition two feminist perspectives will also conflict that of the Functionalist theory. Marxist Feminist who also agrees the family exploits women to aid capitalism and Radical Feminist who believe that the family exploits women and produces patriarchal ideologies. The essay will then go on to answer if the family is universal with some explanation into family diversity. Lastly the essay will explore the Internationalist perspective which offers a micro view of how society affects family structures. .
The statement that the family is a universal, essential and beneficial social institution very much advocates the functionalist view of the family. Functionalists see the family as being essential to the functioning of society and without it society would fail to function properly, (Haralambous & Holbourn, 2004). The broad perspective adopted by Functionalists has been developed by focusing on the functions of the family within society and the importance it has in maintaining order and stability within society, (Kirby et al, 2000). .
There are a number of conflicting perspectives on the family. The Marxist view contrasts sharply with that of the Functionalists seeing all institutions as helping to maintain class inequality and capitalism, (Cuff et al, 1998). For Marxists, therefore, the functions of the family are performed solely for the benefit of the capitalist system and are not beneficial of essential to the individual family members, (Selfe, 1993). .
The Feminist perspective is also a conflicting view of the family. The Feminists' contribution to the study of families is of considerable importance.