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.
Grade 9 thinking 💡
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.
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 🪜
An interactive activity.
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 🔢
An interactive activity.
Spot the two reasons 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Marxist or feminist? 🧭
An interactive activity.
Explain the rise in divorce ✍️
An interactive activity.