Marriage and the Family

Many theories have been made throughout the history of time to help determine the dynamics of a family, and the keys to making them work. These theories, which are sets of concepts, try and explain how families fit in to society and are viewed in the world. Two theories that I found quite interesting are The Conflict Theory, and The Social Exchange Theory, and can be connected to some of our favorite television shows that are on today.

The conflict theory, is based on the main idea of who can benefit most. The main focus of conflict theory is that family is based on competition, and members will strive to benefit the most of the group. The book sites the lack of resources, wealth, etc. in society today, and family members will strive to their fullest to gain the items they need to help them prosper more. A very popular show can illustrate this theory to its fullest. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” focuses of the family of father Frank Reynolds, as well as siblings Deeandra and Dennis Reynolds. This family is the epitome of internal conflict and power struggles. The family owns a bar, and each member of the family is always scheming and weaseling their way into gaining the most for one’s self, and not looking out for one another, each believing they should be the bar owner. In one episode, the bar goes up for sale, and instead of helping the father Frank gain the funds to regain the bar, the children each focus on ways that they can gain the bar for themselves, raising themselves on the so called totem pole, while moving up the unequal ladder that the show creates. In another episode the bar is put up in a dance contest, and the family in the beginning were coexisting in trying to win the bar back, however in the end all members end up doing their own thing in attempts to gain all the wealth for themselves, and are in direct competition with the other members of the family. As stated in the introduction, these theories, are sets of concepts, about how families...