Theoretical Perspectives Of The Family

Eight different perspectives are discussed in the reading “Theoretical Perspectives of The Family”. The perspectives are separated into either being micro-level orientations, macro-level orientations, or both. These orientations represent theories, which the reading calls “a perspective or a set of statements that explains why processes and events occur” (69), which can help analyze research and find solutions. Macro-level orientation theories represent large-scale patterns of society and use a top down view on influences on marriage and family. The reading lists economic forces, social movements, technological innovations, and popular cultures as influences. Structural-functional, conflict, and feminist are three perspectives that fall under being macro-level orientation theories. Conflict perspectives view individuals as being in conflict with each other as they try to obtain power and resources. In this perspective competition and struggles are considered to be normal within families and groups in society with conflict being wanted and thought of as being natural. The structural-functional perspective view functions that the family provides for society, functions that families provide to its members, and functions members provide for its family. The structural-functional perspective, the conflict perspective, and the feminist perspective …show more content…
The ecological perspective discusses how a family or individual influences and is influenced by its environment, which includes schools, the government, and the earth’s physical-biological environment. The family development perspective discusses how family members’ roles and relationships will change depending on their adaptation to the absence or presence of responsibilities due to having children. Both perspectives discuss how families change and are affected by different