Reading on Idealizing morality and theories family changes

Readings for week 5 by Peter McDonald

Conventionally social change theory was built upon the theories of physical evolution at that time. Western social scientists regards social system as evolving towards higher forms with the strongest surviving the weakest (Spence 1972)

In 1950-1960s, structural functionalists view moved from a natural process of the evolution of social systems to a process of differentiation in modern societies. They saw nuclear family form as a better structure to accommodate the economic development of industrialization.

Peter McDonald suggested however that the conventional approach to explain social changes and family was to examine the multilevel and multivariable approach which placed strong emphasis upon assessment upon or by individuals. The macrolevel, political studies in examine family changes should be focused. An idealized family morality supported by institutional forces is force of its own in family changes. It does not need to be a structure force alone; neither should it be viewed purely from political perspectives, i.e. a mechanism of retaining force for a powerful group.