Theoretical Perspectives of the Family

I found that when I read Parsons article many aspects of it were very interesting to me. After I read about half the article, I decided to check when it was written. I was not surprised to find out that it was 1942, over seventy years ago. So much has changed since he wrote his article but still there are many similarities that remain. Although I believe that much of what he says is sexist, it is definitely a thought that remains in the minds of many women in current time. “The woman’s fundamental status is that of her husband’s wife, the mother of his children, and traditionally the person responsible for a complex of activities in connection with the management of the household, care of children etc.” (609) There are so many women who turn down careers in order to be what they imagine as the perfect woman, mother, wife, caregiver and nurturer. He also introduces the terms “swell guy” and “glamour girl”. I think both of these terms are what many teens strive to be and are reinforced by much of the media today. I still wonder though, if he were writing today, how much would he change and would he have a whole new perspective with the working woman and stay at home dad? Would those still be considered dysfunctional?

I really enjoyed reading the article written by Booth, Carver and Granger. It gave me a whole new outlook on how a woman picks her life companion. I have never really been interested in science not because I don’t find it interesting but more because I don’t understand it. The article was interesting as it pointed out the fact that our hormones have an affect on so much in our lives. They influence our decision making process from birth to death. I also agree with Ben-Porath in saying that the formation of the family requires “human capital, allocation of time, fertility, altruism and intergeneration mobility.” (52) Although his work was written over twenty years ago his words are as important and maybe even more important and applicable now.

1. 1. At the beginning of Parson’s article he points out that girls are able to basically “learn” how to properly function as a woman since they are able to copy and participate in daily household activities with their stay at home mothers. If the family had a stay at home father, would boys learn to be proper women or men?

2. 2. In Booth, Carver and Granger’s article they state that “compared with men, women are much more discriminating because future investment in offspring will be higher.” Do you think that is the case? Also do you think it has to do with the fact that women are required to stay with that child longer than men?

3. 3. Do you think the Rotten Kid Theorum should be used? Should money be used as an incentive to help out siblings in order not to have a rotten kid?