The structural-functionalists theory holds that the family is the backbone of the society while the social conflict approach places the family at the center of operations in the community. The two approached concur that one of the fundamental functions of the family is the reproduction for the society to continue existing. In this regards, studying family calls for in-depth research on reproduction. For instance, the roles parents play in the reproduction shapes the perception the society develops towards men and women. For example, Hay (40) noted that modern day, mothers face two socially constructed cultural perceptions that the community uses to gauge how good they are in bringing up children.
Changes in production affect the society’s perception of parenting in diverse ways. The most addressed case in this regard is whether sexual orientation of the parents matter. Stacy and Biblarz (162) pointed out that whereas some scholars opined that same-sex parents affected their children negatively, others studies proved this notion wrong. These divergent views arise due to reproduction changes. Gay men cannot give birth entirely on their own and are left with the option of adoption, or using surrogate mothers in which case, only one of them can donate the sperm. A similar situation occurs with lesbian couples. In both cases, one or both of the parents would be raising children who are not their biological parents. Besides, there is the absence of mother among gay couples, or father among the lesbians something that may affect parenting. For instance, Stacey and Biblarz (168) quoting Green et al. (1986) noted that girls of a same-sex couple played and behaved in ways that did not conform to the cultural expectations.
The concept of parenting also changes when it comes to single parenthood, especially when not occasioned by divorce. In this case, one of the biological parents is entirely missing from the lives of the children or a "part-time" parent. Therefore, the children may grow up with missing role models and, therefore, may not conform to the some of the cultural norms.
Works cited
Green, Richard, Jane Barclay M., Mary Hotvedt, E. James Gray, & Laurel smith. “Lesbian Mothers and Their Children: A Comparison with Solo parent Heterosexual mothers and their children: Archives of sexual behaviors 1986 15: 167-84
Hay Sharon. The Mommy Wars: Ambivalence, Ideological Work, and the cultural contradictions of Motherhood. Pdf file.
Stacey Judith and Biblarz, Timothy J. (How) does the sexual orientation of parents matter? Sage Publications, Inc., American Sociological Association Review Vol. 66, No. 2 (Apr., 2001), pp. 159-183. Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/2657413
