Criticisms of Families and Divorce Since 1945
How sociologists criticise the family: the Marxist view of Zaretsky and the feminist view of Delphy and Leonard, plus the rise in divorce since 1945 and the reasons behind it.
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Criticising the family
Not all sociologists see the family in a positive way. Some, like the Marxist Zaretsky, argue the family props up capitalism. Others, like the feminists Delphy and Leonard, argue it benefits men through the unpaid work of women. This module also looks at divorce, which has risen since 1945, and the reasons behind it.
Words for the debate
Learn these four terms before you weigh up the criticisms.
Marxist and feminist criticism
Two perspectives criticise the family for different reasons.
Match the criticism to its perspective
To reach the top grades, link each criticism to its perspective, Marxist or feminist, and remember that sociologists disagree about the family and about divorce.
Match the criticism to its meaning
- isolation
- unrealistic idealisation
- loss of functions
- marital breakdown
- the nuclear family is cut off from wider kin
- the family is shown as more perfect than it really is
- the family has given up jobs to other institutions
- the rise in divorce and family break-up
Match the view to its claim
- Zaretsky
- Delphy and Leonard
- secularisation
- divorce rate
- the Marxist idea that the family serves capitalism
- the feminist idea that the family benefits men
- religion becoming less influential in society
- the number of divorces in a period
Whose view is it?
Whose view is it that the family props up capitalism?
- The Marxist view, argued by Zaretsky.
- The feminist view, argued by Delphy and Leonard.
- The functionalist view.
- The New Right view.
Why did divorce rise?
Select the TWO reasons for the rise in divorce since 1945.
- Changes in the divorce law.
- Changing social attitudes and less stigma.
- Stronger religious influence on society.
- Women becoming less independent.
Order the rise in divorce
Put the steps in order to show why divorce rose.
- The law is changed to make divorce easier
- More people are able to divorce
- Attitudes change and the stigma falls
- The divorce rate rises since 1945
Summarise the debate
Not everyone sees the family positively. The Marxist _____ argued the family props up capitalism, while the feminists _____ and Leonard argued it benefits men. Divorce has risen since _____, partly because the _____ was changed and because of _____, as religion became less influential.
Name the year
Divorce patterns in this topic are tracked from which year, just after the Second World War?
Spot the two reasons
Tap the TWO reasons for the rise in divorce.
- changes in the divorce law
- changing social attitudes
- stronger religious influence
- women becoming less independent
- the family gaining new functions
Marxist or feminist?
Decide whether each criticism of the family is Marxist or feminist.
- The family reproduces the future workforce for capitalism
- The family benefits men through the unpaid work of women
- The family is simply the natural best form for everyone
Explain the rise in divorce
Explain the reasons for the rise in divorce since 1945. Give at least two reasons, and note that sociologists explain the change in different ways.
- Give one reason for the rise in divorce
- Give a second reason
- Note that sociologists explain it in different ways