Brookliyn Bridge Essay Example for Free

Brookliyn Bridge Essay Arthur millers a view from the bridge is set in a slum side in red hook, which faces the bay on the seaward side of Brookliyn Bridge in New York. The background to the conflict is built around a working class couple (Eddie and Beatrice Carbone) and their niece (Catharine.) The small Family also had help from two of Beatrices cousins from Italy (Marco and Roldopho) to obtain the Conflict and perhaps push main character Eddie Carbone to the end of his tether. Marco and Roldopho had travelled from Europe of which, at this point of time had still been suffering from the political and financial effects of World War 2. Europe was very poor at this point of time because during the war the tax prices had risen to pay for military supplies, however Marco and Rodolfo travelled to America for a better chance to survive. Whilst Marcos aims where purely to support his wife and growing family in Italy, Roldopho had planed to buy a motorcycle to satisfy his shallow needs. Catherine, on the other hand, lives with Eddie and Beatrice because her mother died in a tragic event.. So Eddie has taken on a father figure in her life (even though he is not her biological father) and he treats her like his own child. But when we read more into the book we learn that eddies loves Catherine in more than a father and daughter way. So when Marco and Rodolfo turn up at their flat in the 1940s Catherine takes a liking to Rodolfo, so I feel that Eddie is building up with jealousy and gets more and more physically and sexually attracted to Catherine. So the fact that Eddie has become more and more physically and sexually attracted to Catherine the relationship between Eddie and Beatrice even though they are married is going down hill. I think this is because Eddie is thinking about Catherine most of the time or even all of the time. This means that there is a lot of tension between the two of them we can tell there is a lot of tension between them as when Beatrice decides to show Eddie affection Eddie sustains and is always too distracted by the thought of Catherine and Rodolfo. So Eddie creates a lot of tension by trying to control Catherines life. When the attraction between Catherine and Rodolfo gradually becomes a love relationship Eddie learns to know this and he then trys to end their relationship. But in trying to do this Eddies true feelings about Catherine start to appear in the play. Eddies dislikes Rodolfo as he is blonde, sings and makes dresses and eddies wants a man for Catherine but Rodolfo in eddies eyes is not a man. Eddie thinks that Rodolfo is not a man because he does not have a family to provide for and because he spends his first set of wages on a new jacket, meanwhile Marco is sending money back to italy/cill for his family. The money Marco sends to Italy Sicily gets some medicine for his son. This gives Eddie enough treason to not like Rodolfo so towards the end of the act Eddie goes to speak to alfieri nd this really shows the reader that Eddie is getting desperate to have his chances with Catherine and to be rid of Rodolfo. But Alfieri sees that Eddy has way too much love for Catherine and tells him to let her go thats my advise  you did your job now its her life wish her luck and let her go because theirs no law Eddie make up your mind to it the law is not interested in this. But Eddie cannot let her go and he cannot accept that he cannot control her anymore. But then Alfieri tries to reason with Eddie and calm him down but when Alfieri suggests that Eddie is in love with Catherine Eddie doesnt like his feelings being talked about so then alfieri asks Eddie she cant marry you can she? and Eddie replies whatre you on about? Marry me! I dont know what the hell you are talking about! The beginning of the play starts off with a little speech from Alfieri about the end before it even happens. This scene is quite important as it tells us a little about the play and what it is going to be about. The play is a tragedy as it starts off with a normal couple living with a niece and then one of the couples cousins comes to them for shelter from Italy. But one of the cousins falls in love with Catherine (the niece). So as the relationship between them get stronger the love from Eddie to Catherine gets stronger and Eddie wants more from the relationship that he cannot get. This builds up a load of tension between them, which eventually turns into a tragedy. Arthur miller creates moments of intense conflict in this act by making the characters use a lot of jealousy among them, which creates moments of intense conflict. Some of the moments of intense conflict is when Eddie challenges Rodolfo to a boxing match and ends up really punching him. (Maybe to take his anger out on him) and also when Marco challenges Eddie to a chair lift with one hand. Eddie cannot do this but when Marco succeeds in doing this the look in Marcos eyes are giving Eddie a little message. I think the message Marco is giving to Eddie is if you pick on my little brother you will have to pass me first! Maybe I am wrong but thats how his look seemed to me.

Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility The paper critically examines the concepts of business ethics and corporate social responsibility in the light of doing good business. Corporate Social Responsibility; Sustainable Value; Business Ethics Good Ethics are Good for Business There has been over the last three decades a growing emphasis on companies to conduct ethically sound behaviour and practice behaviour governed by ethical code of conduct prescribed by the corporate policy. The birth of industrialization did not bring the need for ethics but the drastic consequences did, in the form of child labour, dishonest trade, lack of systematic procedures and inequity in various aspects in the businesses. Social awareness from 1960s onwards forced companies to consider ethical behaviour, which refines their actions morally and in turn produces a positive image of the company in the eyes of the existing or potential customers and the society as a whole in which the company operates. But this is where the debate arises (Crane, 2006). Ethics are good for business, as it has been claimed by many business authors. However, ethical decision making is by the most complex decision making situation that companies face today. What is ethically right to one is wrong to a nother (Blowfield, 2008). This so happens owing to the definition of ethics, according to which it is the discipline that examines ones moral standards or moral standards of the society (Santa Clara University, 2010). Every individual and society has its own set of values, beliefs and morals and the resultant is a conflict among different ethical decisions which pose a dilemma for managers of companies which are fast expanding across the global and taking into consideration a diverse customer base as well as a diverse workforce belonging to different cultures and different moral orientations (Valasquez, 2008). Following strong ethically behaviour and catering to the rights of individuals and societies which are major stakeholders in the companies, companies follow a socially responsible behaviour which is quality of running a good business (Blowfield, 2008). The need for companies to be socially responsible and ethically sound is a complex issue for the companies as they put forward cost complications as well. But nonetheless, the argument that good ethics are good for businesses is well supported and companies who are not following ethically sound behaviour are facing tremendous challenges in sustaining profitable performance of their operations. It has been argued that commitment to socially responsible behaviour and ethically sound practices is an effective long term strategy and it may lead to short term losses but its benefits are spread across the longer run, which companies have to realize to adapt. The concept of sustainable value emerges in the context of long term corporate social responsibility which companies are increasingly benefiting from (Valasquez, 2008). In todays world filled with immense global crisis and endless social and environmental issues that affect the business environment, the managers, and shareholders are increasingly concerned over the future well-being of their company. With the corporate social responsibility taken as an expense, there is growing concern over preventing overall reduction in the return to the shareholders. Chris Laszlo through his book, Sustainable Value How the worlds leading companies are doing well by doing good, provides a rather comprehensive solution to this problem: Sustainable Value, hence bringing forth social responsibility as an opportunity not as an additional cost to be borne. With a large number of companies operating to service more or less the same pool of customers, there has been heightened competition over gaining an edge in the market over the years, which keeps on increasing. Large companies focus on their competences to gauge success and minimize their costs to provide value back to their shareholders. With the new era came a new concept of corporate social responsibility, which brought the notion that a business has a duty to the society, which it has to fulfill. This only in turn brings a positive image for the company. As much as can be argued about the additional cost it brings for the company, according to Laszlo, investing in social responsibility can only allow the companies to gain competitive advantage. There are many global issues addressing the nations that the companies can choose to serve the society (Laszlo, 2007, p.75). According to Laszlo (2007) surviving in the world of today filled with global crisis let it be in the form of environmental issues that have to be reduced, societal wrongs that need to be corrected and the wellbeing of the community that is to be considered, is an intense business environment on its own. Businesses can no longer survive with a sole responsibility to its owners but being a part of the larger community they have to face the challenges and bring about solutions. Companies now are increasingly opting for addressing specific and special social and environment issues, creating awareness among the people of the society regarding the hazards and at the same time bringing to them solutions let it be in the form of their innovative products and services or through special voluntary services as part of their corporate social responsibility other than following strong ethical conduct internally. Of course, in the end the business benefits from the positive image in the minds of the potential and existing customers, and enjoys the sustainable value that ensures a profitable future (Laszlo, 2007, 178). Such an investment in social responsibility and business ethics which brings about productivity and profitability is termed as sustainable value. Sustainable value is the value given to the shareholders and stakeholders, which can be expressed in monetary terms and which is increasingly rejecting the idea that investing in corporate social responsibility only means additional costs for the business (Laszlo, 2007, p.117). Sustainable value only sustains the returns for the company and the added cost notion is just a myth that is by far the only hindrance in its successful implementation in companies. It calls for social innovation, a change in leadership style and the overall direction of the company that puts the social environment alongside its main objectives, which are all related to maximizing its returns (Vogel, 2008). Creating services and products to cater to the sustainable-value commitment of the business while at the same time applying social responsibility mechanism calls for bringing about social innovation. This, by definition, means creating new strategies, plans, concepts and ideas to address to the specific and existing social needs that are targeted by an organization (May, 2008). Social innovation is by far a different concept from the innovation encouraged in the organizations for the benefit of the organization itself alone. Social innovation has a much larger scope with takes into account the entire external as well as internal environment in which the company operates in addressing each members interests (Vogel, 2008). Sustainable value is a concept, which emerged from the groundwork put forward by the not so distant phenomenon of holistic value. This idea cleverly integrates the monetary objectives of the organization with the social environment, the community in which the business operates in and the internal structure of the organization not missing out any value generating element or competency residing inside and any future value generating opportunity lying in the outside world. Holistic value calls for realizing the bigger picture of the business world, which works successfully with the well-combined effort of its many elements (McElhaney, 2007) When one talks of sustainable value, social responsibility and holistic value, a much concerning object put in focus is the social environment within which the business operates. This social environment consists of the following elements and members: the employees that work for the company to enable it to meet its objectives; the people who are and could be the customers of the company; the social activists and environmental pressure groups which potentially hold the key to disrupting the entire organizations public image let there be any environmental mishap done through its hands; a primary and secondary set of attitudes, values and objectives of each of these groups; a profound culture; and a set of societal norms that the business has to follow up to survive in a well-established social environment (Vogel, 2008). Of course, social environment is not the only influencer of the overall business world, sustainable value strategy making calls for the vivid concern for the serious economic issues facing the nation or the world. Such as the recent global recession that affected the organizations around the world, profit sustainability became quite a challenge to overcome as a circumstance of it (Kotler, and Lee, 2008). This brings forth the ethical dilemmas against the corporate social responsibility, as the major responsibility of the company is towards its shareholders and investors to provide them the most benefits, but in times of economic crisis when the revenues shrink doing so alongside the socially responsible behaviour becomes far difficult. The Commitment to sustainable value ensures the involvement of economic issues to be addressed through a well-formed strategy in combination with the issues of the society, whilst maintain ethical standards of the corporation (Holmes, 2007). This is indeed a long strategy which cannot be implemented or formulated abruptly. According to business ethics authors, commitment towards socially responsible behaviour should be a long term strategy as its benefits are more in future than in the present (May, 2008). The starting point is making the individuals and the teams in the organisation ethically sound in their behaviour and actions so that together as a group, the entire organisations puts forwards a responsible and morally strong behaviour (May, 2008). Once the entire workforce is committed to morality and socially responsible behaviour then can only he company implement a long term strategy for sustainable value, which calls for commitment at individual as well as holistic level in order to bring forth benefits in future. In order to prevail a culture of moral soundness and responsibility, the leaders have to first analyze and understand the different backgrounds the employees belong to and establish commonality in belie fs and values in order to enable the employees to produce an ethical fit in the conduct which is similar for all and minimum conflicts occur. Ethical training is also common nowadays in order to explain to the employees the importance of their moral conduct and how well they can serve the company as well as the society through practicing ethically strong behaviour. With this commitment can only the company successfully practice social responsible behaviour and become good in the eyes of the society.

Simon Bolivar :: essays research papers

Throughout history there have been several leaders who used their cunning and sly intelligence to trick the general population into following them and their beliefs. Eventually, these leaders had so much support, they could no longer be called leaders, but absolute and dictatorial rulers. However, during the period of Enlightenment and of the French Revolution, non-maleficent ideas, created by Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and other Enlightenment Philosophes, were spread throughout the European population. They stated the opposition to absolute monarchies as well as a new main focus on people’s innate rights and freedoms. Many leaders after this period of Enlightenment preached its ideas, while others simply used them to gain power. Simon Bolivar might have preached opinions that mainly reflected the ideas of the French Revolution. However, his actions contradicted these opinions, and revealed that his true intentions were selfish and illiberal. In several documents and speeches, Bolivar stated that he was very fond of freedom, liberty and equality. Clearly, it would seem that he desired democracy. This can be seen in his "Jamaican Letter", where he states "More than anyone I desire to see America fashioned into the greatest nation in the world, greatest not so much by virtue of her area and wealth as by her freedom and glory." However, he adds to this "love of freedom" in saying that it is "inconceivable" to set up such a government, simply because there is not enough political knowledge for a system such as that to run. Further, Bolivar says that he agrees with the ideas of Montesquieu, who played a very important role during the Enlightenment period, and states that he is against absolutism. In looking at the beliefs Bolivar spoke of, one could almost come to the conclusion that he directly lectured the ideas fought for in the French Revolution; opposition to absolute monarchies, natural rights and freedoms, ideas of Montesquieu, and ruling for the people’s best interest. Interestingly, however, Bolivar never actually put any of his "glorious ideas" into action. Instead of setting up a democracy, ideas of which he praised, he arranged a system in which his total control was made known. He declared himself president until he died, created a weak legislative body with almost no power, and limited the right to vote to the Creoles, who were American-born Spaniards. Not only did this contradict his great "Love of freedom" that he originally spoke of, but also his hate of monarchy, a system of government not too far off from the "paternal constitution" he himself created. Furthermore, this government system doesn’t reflect ideals fought for in the French Revolution, which he once agreed with. In a document written by Bolivar, he states that he fears Black

Peyote and Native American Culture Essay example -- Botany Biology Res

Peyote and Native American Culture Peyote was originally described in 1560, however it was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that botanists were able to conduct field research and correctly classify the cactus (Anderson, 1980). Field studies have concluded that there are two distinct populations of peyote which represent two species. The first and most common, Lophophora williamsii extends from southern Texas reaching south to the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. The second and least common of the two species is Lophophora difusa, which occurs in the dryer terrain of the Mexican state of Queretaro. This species differs from the more common species by, "being yellowish-green rather than blue green in color, by lacking any type of ribs or furrows, by having poorly developed podaria (elevated humps), and by being a softer, more succulent plant" (Anderson 1980). Native Americans use peyote in their religious practices because of its psychoactive properties, and is usually eaten as mescal buttons, the dried, brown pieces of the above part of the cactus (Lewis, 1977). The peyote religion is ancient in its origin and spread from Mexico, North in the mid 1800's at a time when Native Americans were desperately in need of spiritual strength and enlightenment, Native Americans were confined to reservations which were overseen by military authority, while many of their ritualistic practices and traditions were deemed as illegal. Origin stories regarding the practice of peyote ritual vary, however all encompass a common theme, namely that the 'Supernatural' took pity on those persecuted and communicated spiritually to the Native Americans through the journey experienced while under the chemical effects of peyote (Steltenka... ...s as an escape from the world the white man created. The impact this plant has had on civilization is that it is only way out for some, it is their vehicle of escape to drive them out of the material world and down the peyote road. Bibliography Anderson, E. 1980. Peyote, The Divine Cactus. Arizona: University of Arizona Press. Boyer, B., Boyer, R., & Basehart, H. 1973. Hallucinogens and Shamanism M. Hamer, Ed.. England: Oxford University Press. Csordas, T., Kiyaani, M. 1997, March. On the Peyote Road. Natural History, 106,48. Lewis, W. 1977, Medical Botany. New York: Wiley. Steltenkamp, M. 1982. The Sacred Vision. New Jersey: Paulist Press. Stewart, 0. 1987. Peyote Religion. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. Swan, D. 1998. Early Osage Peyotism. Plains Anthropologist, 43(163), 51-71. Unknown, The Peyote Religion. www.peyote.net. Peyote and Native American Culture Essay example -- Botany Biology Res Peyote and Native American Culture Peyote was originally described in 1560, however it was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that botanists were able to conduct field research and correctly classify the cactus (Anderson, 1980). Field studies have concluded that there are two distinct populations of peyote which represent two species. The first and most common, Lophophora williamsii extends from southern Texas reaching south to the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. The second and least common of the two species is Lophophora difusa, which occurs in the dryer terrain of the Mexican state of Queretaro. This species differs from the more common species by, "being yellowish-green rather than blue green in color, by lacking any type of ribs or furrows, by having poorly developed podaria (elevated humps), and by being a softer, more succulent plant" (Anderson 1980). Native Americans use peyote in their religious practices because of its psychoactive properties, and is usually eaten as mescal buttons, the dried, brown pieces of the above part of the cactus (Lewis, 1977). The peyote religion is ancient in its origin and spread from Mexico, North in the mid 1800's at a time when Native Americans were desperately in need of spiritual strength and enlightenment, Native Americans were confined to reservations which were overseen by military authority, while many of their ritualistic practices and traditions were deemed as illegal. Origin stories regarding the practice of peyote ritual vary, however all encompass a common theme, namely that the 'Supernatural' took pity on those persecuted and communicated spiritually to the Native Americans through the journey experienced while under the chemical effects of peyote (Steltenka... ...s as an escape from the world the white man created. The impact this plant has had on civilization is that it is only way out for some, it is their vehicle of escape to drive them out of the material world and down the peyote road. Bibliography Anderson, E. 1980. Peyote, The Divine Cactus. Arizona: University of Arizona Press. Boyer, B., Boyer, R., & Basehart, H. 1973. Hallucinogens and Shamanism M. Hamer, Ed.. England: Oxford University Press. Csordas, T., Kiyaani, M. 1997, March. On the Peyote Road. Natural History, 106,48. Lewis, W. 1977, Medical Botany. New York: Wiley. Steltenkamp, M. 1982. The Sacred Vision. New Jersey: Paulist Press. Stewart, 0. 1987. Peyote Religion. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. Swan, D. 1998. Early Osage Peyotism. Plains Anthropologist, 43(163), 51-71. Unknown, The Peyote Religion. www.peyote.net.

Shakedown :: essays research papers

Worry over security played a big role in the presidential campaign -- and plays it still. For persisting in of D.C. is the naive if popular opinion that government is "on our side" -- that it is an impartial protector even seeing to it that we shall not want. Sure. In "Shakedownà ¾" Robert A. Levy, a senior fellow in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute, says su opinion leaks. Our Framers were far above such leakiness. Thus did their constitutional checks and balan to stem abuse of power. They knew that Brutus still lurks about, that as Thomas Jefferson noted in 1788, natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." That gain is tracked by the author. He sees Washington, D.C.'s leading industry as not tourism but spe interests milking a giant, most cooperative cash cow, with consumers and taxpayers getting hit by many "baseless lawsuits." Apart from antitrust, the extortion lobby works three routes: one, through victimizing smokers and a b socked tobacco industry; two, through anti-gun advocates circumventing the Second Amendment and sta legislatures by suing in court and in the process victimizing gun manufacturers and potential gun owners three, through seductive tort liability and antitrust systems hobbling our economy via perverse "regulatio through litigation." Mr. Levy titles part one of his two-part book "Tort Law as Litigation Tyranny" and part two "Antitrust Corporate Welfare for Market Losers." This libertarian pulls no punches. But what about the rising tide of tort cases that push up, among other things, medical malpractice insu premiums to six-figure heights and force many doctors, such as gynecologists and obstreticians, out of bu Up go the costs of of office and hospital visits, hurting many family budgets. The author supplies a neat reply. As a federalist as well as a libertarian, he believes in states' rights, in Amendment: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to t States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." He adds, "There is no constitutional right to health care." He sees state medical malpractice reform as ubiquitous. He cites more than three dozen states with damage caps, with all 50 states passing or conside some kind of malpractice reform. Mr. Levy decries the fact that many congressional Republicans as well as liberal Democrats milk an ex lobby. The author would invoke the 14th Amendment to check state tort laws which deny both procedura Page 1 of 2 Washington's extortion lobby -- The Washington Times 2/22/2005 http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20050219-110442-5649r substantive protection against quasi-criminal punishment.

Baby Boomers

Alexi Seely Professor Beauchene English 102 4 December 2012 Argument Response Essay In the article Blue Collar Boomers Take Work Ethic to College Sander’s makes that argument that the baby boomers of our time are still eligible to work, and are very willing to try new ways of achieving the education to start different forms of work. Most of the baby boomer generation had gone straight to hard labor jobs to help bring home money for their families, and now that they are older the labor is straining on their bodies (Sanders 3).While they may be older, they are still capable of learning how to use new technology and expanding their minds (Sanders 27). Sanders discusses that college is no longer a place for young adults to attend once out of high school, but rather a place for anyone to receive high education in order to attain a job. Some of the older Americans are choosing to go back to college. Mr Hill says, â€Å"I want a job sitting down, at the computer, in the cubicle†¦after being out in the field for so many years, I would like a sit-down job. Mr. Hill had decided that after working in the cold for so long, he thought that he deserved to make good money while not doing much physical labor (Sanders 24). After being a part of a great things or helping their country, some of the baby boomers believed that they deserve to live a cushy life. To a different extent, older Americans have to continue college as a matter of necessity. In paragraph 30 Mr.Ronan states, â€Å"They do not have the luxury nor the interest in going back to college for two or three years, they need something quick†¦ † This statement tells readers that older Americans do not have the luxury to go back to college because unlike younger Americans, they have bills to pay. Some of the baby boomers are continuing college for a job because the hard labor of their old career has left their bodies withered (Sanders 3).However, just because their bodies are incapable of hard work, does not mean that their minds are. When these older students come to college, they bring their values with them. In today’s society, people believe that college is just something that mostly everyone must go to after high school as a part of their path in life; and some take it for granted. The older Americans, or baby boomers, did not have the opportunities to go to college like we do.To them, college is a wonderful experience to learn the things needed to go into their field of work or even just to further their own knowledge. Baby boomers realize the value of a good education and what it can bring for their careers (Sanders 31). They are simply merging their work ethic from hard labor jobs, to studying just as hard in the class room. Works  Cited Sanders, Libby. â€Å"Blue-Collar Boomers Take Work Ethic  to College. †Ã‚  Everything's an Argument  5 (2010): 949-53. Web.

Family and Household Essay

Sociology is the subject which looks at the social world around us, how the social world works and how it effects and influences our daily lives. People tend to accept the social arrangements in which they grew up as normal or too complicated to understand. The family is the natural way to bring up children and schools are the normal places for children to learn. For most people the social world is just there, challenging their lives, they cannot change it and it is not really worth while trying to understand it. There is a consequence of that argument, which is when people try to understand their place in society, rich or poor, isolated or popular; they usually do so by saying it is their personal abilities, weaknesses and situations that cause them to be as they are. Sociologists do not fully agree with this, they regard it as their job to understand society and the way it affects different people. They do this by using certain concepts such as, values, beliefs, norms and identity, they also look at different theories, which are explanations that link together social events and show how the social events have different effects on different people. Within this essay the writer will be looking at functionalism, feminism and Marxism and how the different aspects affect people and how they impact on the family and household. Family and household are two different things, a household simply means one or more person living in the same home, where as a family typically means a group of people related by ceremonial and or blood ties, living together or in frequent contact. (Moore, 2001) The functionalist perspective is one of the main theoretical perspectives within sociology. It has its origins in the likes of Emile Durkheim, who was especially interested in how social order is possible and how it remains relatively stable. Functionalism was the dominant branch of western sociology until the 1960s, since when it has been increasingly criticised by sociologists, favouring different sociological perspectives. Functionalists argue that â€Å"societies consist of inter-related social institutions such as schools, mass media, political systems and the family each of which contribute positively to the maintenance of stability of society as a whole.† (earlyhamsociologypages.co.uk, 2011) These institutions are said to be functional for societies as a whole. Broadly speaking it is assumed by functionalists that societies operate in the interests of all of their members so that there is no reason for fundamental conflict in society. Instead there is a high degree of consensus that societies are organised efficiently and relatively fairly. Functionalists believe every institution in society contributes to the smooth running of society as a whole. To functionalists the family is at the heart of the family. Murdock claimed that â€Å"the nuclear family is so useful to society that it is inevitable and universal, appearing everywhere† (historylearningsite.com, 2012). Murdock claimed that he had found evidence of nuclear families in the 250 societies he studied. The family is universal because it fulfils essential functions for the family, such as sexual, which controls sexuality and provides stability for adults, reproduction, which provides new members of society, economical, the family provides for its members and education, the family socialises the young into society’s norms and values. They are essential for social life since without the sexual and reproductive functions there would be no members of society, without the economic function (for example, the provision and preparation of food) life would cease, and without education a term Murdock uses for socialization there would be no culture. Human society without culture could not function. (historylearningsite.com, 2012).parsons states there are two irreducible functions of the family, these functions are primary socialisation, through which children learn to accept the norms and values of society and the stabilisation of adult personalities, the family gives adults the emotional support necessary to cope with everyday life. (Moore, 2001) The functionalist view suggests that the nuclear family has become socially isolated from extended family and geographically separated from wider family and more reliant on the welfare state. The family is self-contained, inward looking with little contact with neighbours and community, home leisure’s have made the family more home centred. Functionalists have been accused of idolising the family; they ignore conflict, abuse and gender equality within families and the ever growing divorce rates and family diversity. Feminists have been highly critical of the highly positive view of the family presented by Functionalists and the more critical view presented by Marxists. The reason for this scepticism boils down to one key concept: patriarchy. Patriarchy refers to a system of male dominance. Historian and activist Cheris Kramaroe once famously remarked that† feminism is the radical notion that woman are human beings† (Head, 2012). Feminism is about woman living on equal terms with men and not being pushed down by law or culture into a lower role within society. Feminists believe that the family is patriarchal, dominated by men and it exploits and oppresses women. The family supports and reproduces inequalities between men and woman, woman are Oppressed because their socialised to be dependent on men and remain second place. They reject the new rights view of the separate roles and also reject the march of progress view, in that society has not changed and it is still unequal. Feminists believe that marriage remains patriarchal and that men benefit from wives, they reject the functionalist view of one best family type, and they welcome fre edom and diversity. (Anderson, 2008). Critics argue that there is too much focus on negative aspects and that feminists sometimes ignore recent social changes. Critics claim that feminists portray woman as passive victims as if they are unable to act against discrimination. The same critics believe that feminists focus on one specific group and ignore woman in families from other cultures and ethnicities Marxist Feminists argue that within capitalist societies the nuclear family is part of the overall structure of capitalism and that its organisation and functions are heavily influenced by the nature of the capitalist economic base which means that women’s oppression derives primarily from the organisation of the capitalist system rather than from the patriarchal behaviour of men. According to Marxist Feminists housewives fulfil several important functions for the capitalist system: they bear and rear children at no cost to the capitalist system and, along with their husbands, encourage their children to accept authority such that a new, suitably obedient generation of workers becomes available; housewives also provide many domestic services at low or zero cost which reduces the wage levels which the capitalist system needs to pay its male workers. Women also form part of the reserve army of labour which is available for employment during times of economic boom but which can return to the traditional housewife- mother role during economic recession. Marxist feminists also believe women provide emotional support for their husbands/partners without this they would be unable to face the oppression and alienation of the capitalist workplace. Without this emotional support it is also possible that workers would be more prepared to challenge the capitalist system. However, family responsibilities may also dissuade workers from strike activity and the existence of families with its demands for cars, washing machines and other consumer durables also helps to maintain spending and capitalist profits. The socialisation process which operates within the family both stabilises the capitalist system as a whole and also by discouraging female career aspirations, restricts female career opportunities. (Head, 2012). Marxists shares some similarities with feminism, it argues that society is unequal and that it is characterised by oppression, however, Marxists believe that the oppression is of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie. Marxism is a conflict theory which sees all societies’ institutions, such as the education system, the media, religion and the state as helping to maintain class equality and capitalism for Marxists, therefore, â€Å"the functions of the family are performed solely for the benefit of the capitalist system† (sociogeeks.com, 2011). Marxists believe that the family aids capitalism by being a big consumer of goods, which they have to pay for, as long as the family are around, people will keep buying the products and the bourgeoisie will continue to make money. (earlyhamsociologypages.co.uk, 2011)Marxists also believe that woman staying at home looking after the children are producing the next generation of the proletariat. This means that more people will be created to fill the jobs of the retiring proletariat. Marxists believe that the family cushions the main producer, this is similar to the functionalist perspective where after a hard day at work, the main provider, usually the male, will be comforted by his family, they are there to relieve the pressures so he can return to work the next day less stressed than when he left the day before. This allows the bourgeoisie to have a worker in the next day and to have a guaranteed work force. Marxists believe that family is a strong influence on education and is considered the primary socialisation, this is beneficial for the bourgeoisie because the family and education system will teach the norms and values, which are that the society they are living in is correct. (Moore, 2001) Education makes the proletariat believe in the benefits of capitalism and will make the children believe in the myth of meritocracy. Feminists argue that the Marxist emphasises on social class and capitalism underestimates the importance of gender inequalities within the family, for feminists, the family primarily serves the interests of men rather capitalism. Functionalists argue that Marxists ignore the very real benefits that the family provide for its members, such as intimacy and mutual support. Others feel that Marxists tend to neglect the meanings families have for individuals and how family members interpret family relationships. (Head, 2012) In conclusion Functionalists see society as similar to a human body. Each part of the human body relies on different organs in order to function correctly. According to functionalists society operates in exactly the same way because it relies on different social institutions such as the family, schools, and the government working together to keep the social body working properly. In contrast Marxists see society as operating solely to make a profit for the ruling class. The proletariat are socially engineered to conform to the needs of a ruling class who benefit the most from societies using a capitalist economic system. Therefore schools and the family exist solely to provide a compliant labour force who will willingly serve the needs of capitalism. On the other hand feminists see society as operating in order to meet the needs and wishes of men (patriarchy). Patriarchal societies are engineered to meet the desires and needs of men through institutions like the family and the education system. On this basis feminists say women are second-class citizens. References Anderson, M. L., 2008. Sociology. In: J. Cheng, ed. understanding a diverse society. USA: Thompson Wadsword, pp. 308-312. earlyhamsociologypages.co.uk, 2011. early ham sociology pages. [Online] Available at: www.earlhamsociologypages.co.uk