Assignment 2

1. According to functionalist theory, what was the definition of the "instrumental leader" and what was the definition of an "expressive leader." What family roles were connected to each of these leader definitions?
  

·         Functionalist theory defined the group’s instrumental leader as someone who led the discussion in just how certain assignments were to be completed. The expressive leader’s job is said right in the title; their job was to keep the groups spirit high. Functionalist theory views life in a very harmonious way; in their perfect world the father would be the family’s instrumental leader and the mother a supporting expressive leader.

2. What main demographic change during the 1960s and 1970s led theorists to be critical of the functionalist perspective?
              

·         The feminist movement was a huge demographic change that led theorists to be critical of the functionalist perspective. Women were commonly seen as “expressive leaders” within the family and often took care of the home life. As soon as they stepped outside into the work force the basic “functions” of family no longer held true and it became more of a conflict.

3. In contrast to functionalist theorists, in your own words, what is the main theme of conflict theory?

·         Funcationalism is a theory that every ‘piece’ of society comes together to function as a whole, just the opposite of that is conflict theory. Conflict theory concentrates on how those pieces of society differ and some are more likely to come to power rather than others. For example, a conflict theorist may study the inequality of men (who dominate) and women in the workplace.

4. Social exchange theory is based on ideas from what discipline (not sociology). What do exchange theorists say about husbands bargaining power versus that of wives?

·         Social exchange theory is based on ideas from economists. Humans are constantly weighing the pros and cons of actions and behaviors. To apply this theory to family, the “exchange” would typically be a wife doing housework& child care to reap the benefits of her husband’s income. However, once women entered the workforce they lost need for the exchange because their own income allowed them to be more independent.  

 5. Feminist theory is based on what main idea?

·         Feminist theory is based on the main idea of gender. Feminists believe that it is not the biological differences the separate men and women, but rather the socially constructed factors.

6. Thinking about the functionalist, conflict, exchange and feminist/gender perspectives or theories: do you think the power of wives versus husbands in families is changing and why? CLEARLY identify a specific demographic, economic, or cultural change(s) we went over in lecture 3 to support your argument.

·         Taking all the theories into account, I do believe that the power of wives versus husbands in families is changing. Women today are career oriented and independent so much so that they are putting off marriage and family life until they feel established.  In this economy, it almost seems natural to have dual-earners in the household.