8 marks and 6 marks paper 2 sociology

Question 1

Explain two reasons why cohabitation has become more popular in some societies. (8)

Answer 1

Cohabitation has become more popular because there is less religious pressure. This is because in western societies religious beliefs are playing less of a part in the way people live their lives. An example is how secularisation has reduced social pressures to marry. This supports my point as now people opt to live together outside of marriage and do not see it as a sinful.

Question 2

Explain two reasons why cohabitation has become more popular in some societies. (8) pt 2

Answer 2

Another reason is that there is a lack of commitment. This is because growth of individualism has led people to focus more on themselves and their own needs rather than the shared needs of a married couple.
Post modernists explain the rise in cohabitation as a result of the move to postmodern consumer society characterised by greater individual choice and freedom. This supports my point as people now prefer cohabitation because people are used to being consumers and picking and choosing, and so marriage is now a matter of individual choice which is why there is a lack of commitment.

Question 3

Explain two strengths of postmodernist views of the family.(6)

Answer 3

One strength is that it is representative of contemporary diverse families. This is because it does not limit the idea of family to just the nuclear family unlike structuralist approaches and views like Functionalism and The New Right view.This is a strength because it has broadened our understanding that families and their relationships are complex.

Question 4

Explain two strengths of postmodernist views of the family.(6)pt 2

Answer 4

Another strength is that it recognizes the significance of consumption on family identities. This is because the constant access to new ideas for example through globalisation makes people question traditional ways of thinking and behaving. This is a strength because it gives exposure to freedom and awareness to make different choices due to diversity which for example has led to reconstituted families.

Question 5

Explain two reasons for an increase in divorce(8)

Answer 5

One reason is that divorce is now more accessible. This is because changes in law have made seeking divorce cheaper and easier. Evidence to show this is the emergence of the divorce act in 1969. This supports my point because the act extended the ground of divorce to irretrievable breakdown making divorce easier as it made it possible to separate legally even if only one partner wanted a divorce

Question 6

Explain two reasons for an increase in divorce(8)pt 2

Answer 6

Another reason is the increased financial independence of women. This is because they can now be self-sufficient.
and afford to leave an unhappy marriage. Evidence to support this is how generous welfare benefits according to the New Right are a crucial factor which allows women to divorce if they deem it necessary. This supports my point because it enables the woman to leave the marriage without worrying about the economic strain on her due to difficulty in finding full time work if she leaves with a child.

Question 7

Explain two limitations of liberal feminist views of the family.

Answer 7

One limitation of liberal feminist view of the family is that it fails to address
social class-based inequalities of capitalism in reinforcing women’s inequality in the family. This is because it focuses on how cultural attitudes and policies contribute to gender inequalities. This is a limitation as women are oppressed and exploited as they do unpaid labour and according to Fran Ansley absorb the anger meant for the bourgeoisie..

Question 8

Explain two limitations of liberal feminist views of the family. pt 2

Answer 8

Another limitation is that it focuses only on the values of white, heterosexual middle-class women. This is because it does not take into account that black women for example their issues are not only based on issues such as domestic violence but how the family in general for them is a haven for racism. This is a limitation because it reveals that the liberal feminist view’s experiences of the family are not universal.

Question 9

Explain two ways social policies may influence family life(8)

Answer 9

One way that social policies have affected family life is by making divorce harder. This is because some policies have been introduced to reduce divorce rates. An example is the Civil code introduced in China. This supports my point because the civil code established a compulsory 30 day ‘cooling off’ period for couples who intend to divorce to give them time to reconcile before any official decisions.

Question 10

Explain two ways social policies may influence family life.pt 2

Answer 10

Another social policy that has affected family life is by enabling greater equality between genders. This is because some policies have been introduced that have led to equal rights in the workplace for women giving them a greater voice in the family. An example is the equal pay act of 1972. This supports my point as it led to more women working, which meant that the power in the family between men and women is more likely to be equal because the dependence on the man economically in the family is reduced.

Question 11

Explain two strengths New Right views of the family.

Answer 11

One strength is that it recognises the negative impact on society of inadequate socialisation due to the increase in family diversity such as the emergence of lone parent families. This is because it highlights the importance of the nuclear family to provide stable socialisation of children to avoid deviance and rebellion. This is a strength because it had led to policies such as the 1988 change to child benefits which led to the abolition of 50p extra lone parents.

Question 12

Explain two limitations of the New right views of the family.

Answer 12

One limitation is that fails to recognise the positivity in the rise in divorce. This is because they don’t take into account that women are freeing themselves from oppressive relationships. This is a limitation because many women are observers of shit according to Marxist feminist Fran Ansley because they absorb the anger of their husband which usually results in the dark side of the family.

Question 13

Explain two limitations of New Right views of the family

Answer 13

Another limitation is that they exaggerate the decline of the nuclear family. This is because they believe that there has been an increase in family diversity that has led to many social problems. This is a limitation because most adults still marry and have children,most children are reared by two parents and most marriages continue until death.

Question 14

Explain two ways family life can be harmful for some members. (8)

Answer 14

One way family life can be harmful to some members is due to exercise of power within families can lead to the Darkside of the family according to radical feminist views on family life. This is because the unequal balance of power between members can lead to domestic violence which is aimed at aggressively controlling another family member. A statistic that proves this is that in 2022 the police recorded 1.5 million domestic crimes. This supports my point as this can be harmful to the members who are victims of this because of the psychological and physical effects it has on them.

Question 15

Explain two ways family life can be harmful for some members. pt 2

Answer 15

Another way family life can be harmful is that some members of the family, usually women, are socially oppressed and exploited. This is seen by Marxist Feminists such as Fran Ansley who see most women taking on an exploited role as unpaid servants to their partner and children. A statistic that proves this is that according to a 2011 survey by the social issues research centre, it showed that there has been hardly any change to domestic division of labour over the last 20 years. This supports my point as it proves the Marxist feminist idea of female exploitation through the idea of dual burden that they are not only exploited in the public sphere but also the private sphere as unpaid workers whose labour mainly benefits men.

Question 16

Explain two strengths of radical feminist views of the family.

Answer 16

One strength of the radical feminist view of the family is that it Highlights the inequalities of power that take place within the family due to patriarchy. This is because it brings attention to the role of patriarchy in creating female exploitation in the family. This is a strength because it has led to important policy changes such as the violence against women act that was reauthorized in 2022 in addressing problems such as domestic violence.

Question 17

Explain two limitations of radical feminist views of the family.

Answer 17

One limitation is that it does not recognise that . over two thirds of divorces are initiated by women indicating that women can and do leave unhappy or exploitative marriages. This is because the radical feminist view assures women are inevitably oppressed and subordinate to men, trapped in the marriage. This is a limitation because it fails to recognise the march in progress view of the family as there is growing independence of women meaning that women are now self-sufficient enough to leave a marriage now.

Question 18

Explain two ways capitalism benefits from the role of women in the family(8)

Answer 18

One way capitalism benefits from the role of the women in the family is by ensuring that men do not go on strike or stop working which suits the bourgeoisie. This is because women are takers of shit according to Fran Ansley. This is due to the fact women absorb the frustration and anger of the husband. This supports my argument because women act as a safety valve for capitalism as these men are not directing their anger at their bosses which most of the time leads to the dark side of the family.

Question 19

Explain two ways capitalism benefits from the role of women in the family(8) pt 2

Answer 19

Another way is through the fact women are a reserve army of labour. This is because women, according to Bruegel, are called into the workforce when there is a shortage of male labour and forced back into the family when there is a surplus. According to Marxist feminists this emphasises female exploitation of women in the family. This supports my argument because it benefits the capitalist system that women are generally seen as a marginalised workforce forced into low pay.

Question 20

Explain two strengths of Marxist feminist views of the family

Answer 20

One strength is that Recognises women as doubly exploited due to both patriarchy and also capitalism. This is because they emphasise female exploitation through the idea of dual burden. This is a strength because it gives awareness to the fact that women are not only exploited in the workplace as paid employees whose labour contributes to ruling-class profits and in the home as unpaid workers whose labour benefits men.

Question 21

Explain two strengths of Marxist feminist views of the family pt 2

Answer 21

Another strength is that it challenges the functionalist rosy view of the warm bath theory. This is because it gives awareness to the fact that women are just absorbing the anger of the proletariat,who are exploited and who should be directing that anger towards the bourgeoisie. This is a strength due to the fact that it offers a more critical view by pointing out it is not a warm bath for women.

Question 22

Explain two ways the family prepares children for the workplace(8)

Answer 22

One way is that the family socialises children to respect Parents or elders. This is done by children learning how to obey parents. Evidence to show this is how the usage of positive sanctions such as praise and negative sanctions such as disapproval are used to enforce this. As a result, children learn there will always be someone in authority like, a boss in the workplace.

Question 23

Explain two ways the family prepares children for the workplace pt 2

Answer 23

Another way the family prepares children is by sending children to school to gain qualifications to ensure they are suitably qualified to fulfil jobs. This is because the hidden and formal curriculum teaches children qualities they need to be successful like working hard. Evidence to support this is how middle class families keep their children in school because they believe in deferred gratification. This supports my point because it makes the children internalise that they need certain values to succeed in the workplace.

Question 24

Explain two limitations of Marxist views of the family.

Answer 24

One limitation of the Marxist view is that it ignores the benefits the nuclear family provides for its members. This is because it focuses on the exploitation of members that takes place within the family. This is a limitation as functionalists like Murdock would argue that the nuclear family performs essential functions such as meeting its members economic needs and socialisation.

Question 25

Explain two limitations of Marxist views of the family.

Answer 25

Another limitation is that it ignores the march in progress view of the family. This is because it does not recognise that women have gained more independence through acts like the equal pay act that has led to joint conjugal roles in the family. This is a limitation because it does not acknowledge that there is greater equality for women in the family.

Question 26

Explain two reasons why there may still be gender inequality in the family(8)

Answer 26

One reason that there may still be gender inequality is because there is still gender role socialisation in families. This is because children learn behaviour that is appropriate for a girl or boy. Oakley suggests that this is done through canalisation, verbal appellation and manipulation. This supports my point as children then learn and internalise society’s commonly accepted stereotypes which are carried through to adulthood when they have their own family.

Question 27

Explain two reasons why there may still be gender inequality in the family pt 2

Answer 27

Another reason why there still may be gender inequality is because there are still traditional views on women being biologically programmed to be nurturing. This is because women are still seen as naturally suited to the expressive role
whilst men play the instrumental role. Evidence to support this is how, according to Parson, if males and females choose not to take these biologically programmed roles then he believed overriding biological programming will lead to a less efficient way of organising human cultural relationships. This supports my point as it emphasises that the men should have the breadwinner role because women are naturally subordinate to them

Question 28

Explain two strengths of liberal feminist views of the family

Answer 28

One strength of liberal feminist views of the family is that it recognises men are taking a more active role in the home. This is because there has been an emergence of the new man who combines the ideas of traditional hegemonic masculinity while taking on a greater share of domestic work and being a good father by getting fully involved in raising the children. This is a strength because liberal feminism is more positive in acknowledging that greater gender equality within the family is being achieved, unlike radical feminism.

Question 29

Explain two strengths of liberal feminist views of the family pt 2

Answer 29

Another strength is that its ideas have had an influence in changing social policy for improving gender Equality. This is because it led to the equal pay act of 1972 that was an important step towards women’s independence from men. This is a strength because it has led to greater gender equality and improvement of women’s lives in the family.

Question 30

Explain two ways the family benefits its members, according to functionalists.(8)

Answer 30

One way the family benefits from its members by acting as a bridge. This is because the family connects the individual from the micro world of the individual to the macro world of wider economic society. Evidence to support this is Horwitz ‘view that the family is the best site for learning because of the family being a bridge. This supports my argument because children as a result learn both directly through instruction and in an unspoken way through examples how they should and should not behave in the wider world.

Question 31

Explain two ways the family benefits its members, according to functionalists. pt 2

Answer 31

Another way that the family benefits its members is through fulfilling the economic needs of its members. This is because it ensures the survival of family members. Evidence to support this is that the functionalist Murdock concluded that the family is universal because of the functional prerequisites it fulfils such as economic co-operation. This supports my argument because it means that the family looks after members who cannot support themselves to ensure the survival of the family group and its individual members.

Question 32

Explain two strengths of the functionalist view of the family.

Answer 32

One strength of the functionalist view of the family is that it recognizes the family as beneficial for its members as it fulfils their needs. This is because functionalist Murdock argued that the family performs four functional prerequisites: sexual control,socialisation , economic provision and reproduction. This is a strength because it acknowledges the positive aspects of the family, unlike Marxism and radical feminism.

Question 33

Explain two limitations of the functionalist view of the family.

Answer 33

One limitation of the functionalist view of the family is it fails to acknowledge the dark side of family life. This is because radical feminists like Kate millet would argue that there is violence against women and child abuse in the family. This is a limitation because it does not recognise the negative aspects of the family and the negative impact it can have on its members.

Question 34

Explain two ways the role of women in the family supports capitalism

Answer 34

Another way the women in the family support capitalism is by women being a reserve army of cheap labour. This is because if the women’s primary role is domestic and they are restricted from working it also means they are in reserve to be taken on temporarily as necessary by the bourgeoisie. Evidence to support this is Bruegel who thought that women are called into the workforce when there is a shortage of male labour and forced back into the family when there is a surplus. This supports my argument because women in the family become an additional worker for the capitalists for low pay.

Question 35

Explain two ways the role of women in the family supports capitalism pt 2

Answer 35

One way women in the family support capitalism is by acting as a warm bath. This is because they absorb the anger and frustration meant for the bourgeoisie. Evidence to support this is that marxist feminist Fran Ansley that husbands are inevitably frustrated by the exploitation they experience at work and as a result women are a victim of this. This supports my argument because she sees women as absorbing the anger that would otherwise be directed at capitalism due to the male worker suffering a sense of alienation and exploitation at work.

Question 36

Explain two limitations of Marxist feminist views of the family pt 2

Answer 36

Another limitation is that it is too deterministic. This is because it ignores the diversity of women’s experiences within the family and assumes all women’s lives within the family are determined from capitalism and patriarchy This is a limitation because their view is based on the experience of white middle-class women and does not take account the experience middle class black women for example.

Question 37

Explain two limitations of Marxist feminist views of the family

Answer 37

One limitation is that it is less relevant today. This is because - it does not recognise that traditional gender roles are becoming less common as many women are taking on the role of breadwinner and men are taking a more active role in childcare. This is a limitation because it ignores the march in progress view of the family

Question 38

Explain two ways the family supports the economy.(8)

Answer 38

One way the family supports the economy is by stabilising adult personalities so ensuring wage earner is focused on,
working. This is because family members, specifically the woman, provide physical and emotional support to the wage earner. Evidence to support this is how marxist feminist Fran Ansley said women are takers of shit because they act as a warm bath by absorbing the anger and frustration meant for the bourgeoisie . This supports my argument because it prevents the wage earner from downing tools and striking.

Question 39

Explain two ways the family supports the economy.pt 2

Answer 39

Another way the family supports the economy is that it buys products. This is because of commercialisation of housework as families do not have to do the domestic labour themselves. Evidence to support this is unit consumption. This supports my point as, This provides a profit for the capitalists as the goods cost less to produce than what they are sold for.

Question 40

Explain two strengths of Marxist views of the family.pt 2

Answer 40

Marxism identifies the ideological role of the family. This is because they see the family as supporting ruling class interests by having children conform to authority so they become cooperative and easily exploited workers This is a strength because this provides a more critical perspective of the family and its role in socialising children, than the positive view of socialisation proposed by functionalism.

Question 41

Explain two strengths of Marxist views of the family

Answer 41

It recognises that the family acts a safety valve. This is because it absorbs the anger and frustration of the worker. which prevents them from venting anger and frustration towards the boss. This is a strength as it points out how the family benefits the bourgeoisie because it restricts workers going on strikes and rebelling against the capitalist system.

Question 42

Explain two reasons for an increase in the age of first marriage.(8)

Answer 42

One reason is that women prioritise a career over having a family. This is because women are gaining more of an education than in the past, they are able to build a career of their own rather than follow the traditional path of marriage and family at a younger age. State policies such as Sex Discrimination act and Equal Pay act have enabled this. This supports my point as they have their own career, they become financially independent and therefore don’t need to marry early to secure financial security.

Question 43

Explain two reasons for an increase in the age of first marriage. pt 2

Answer 43

Another reason is that there has been an increase of cohabitation. This is because there is reduced social pressure to marry due to secularisation. The Hughes and Church research identified that around 25%of young people aged between 25-29 now cohabit compared with around 18 in the mid -1990s. This evidence supports my point because it shows that there is been changes in attitudes towards getting married early which has led to more people cohabiting.

Question 44

Explain two strengths of postmodernist views on family diversity.

Answer 44

One strength is that highlights that roles in the family are not fixed and can be negotiated to suit the needs of the Individuals. This is because postmodernist ideas such as Hareven ‘s life course analysis argued that there is now flexibility and variation in the family because of individuals having more freedom of choice This is a strength because it has had a positive impact on breaking down social stereotypes and convention and improved social equality

Question 45

Explain two limitations of postmodernist views on family diversity.

Answer 45

. One limitation it exaggerates the
extent of family diversity This is because fails to recognise that the basis of most family types are still modelled on the
nuclear family as Giddens suggested that there is still a structure which shapes people’s decisions. This is a limitation because it fails to recognise the influence of the nuclear family and its social importance on family structures.

Question 46

Explain two ways that girls experience family life differently to boys, according to feminists. (8)

Answer 46

One way is that girls experience stricter social controls than boys. This is because parents see girls as in greater need of protection from the outside world. Evidence to support this is that Oakley suggested that women are made out to be sexual objects that exist for male gratification. This supports my point as it shows why when girls reach adolescence, they subsequently spend more time in the home than boys to avoid being sexualised.

Question 47

Explain two ways that girls experience family life differently to boys, according to feminists. pt 2

Answer 47

Another reason is that Girls are socialised into the expressive role, boys the instrumental. This is because parents subconsciously and consciously treat their children in different ways by associating different objects,behaviours and expectations with different genders. Evidence to support this is Oakley suggested that parents use canalisation to socialise their children to gender roles. This supports my point as it proves parents may emphasise traditional gender roles by making the girl cook with her mom while the boy plays sport with the father.

Question 48

Explain two ways lone-parent families can have a negative impact on society, according to the New Right. (8)

Answer 48

One way is that lone-parent families are a burden on the welfare state. This is because without a husband around as a breadwinner they must rely on welfare benefits. Evidence to support is Charles Murray underclass theory where he argued that the underclass were based on a dependency culture that is encouraged by the welfare state. This support my point as it argues that lone-parent families form an ‘underclass’ who see life on welfare benefits as normal.

Question 49

Explain two ways lone-parent families can have a negative impact on society, according to the New Right. pt 2

Answer 49

Another way is that Children raised in lone-parent families are more likely to engage in deviant behaviour. This is because they believe that children are given clear moral and behaviour guidance in traditional family structure. Evidence to support this is that New Right encouraged the conservative government to launch the Back-to-Basics campaign in 1933 to encourage traditional family values. This supports my point as it shows that they believe that socialisation is only done well in traditional nuclear families which is why children from nuclear families have less chances of showing deviant behaviour.

Question 50

Explain two reasons for the growth in family diversity.(8)

Answer 50

One reason is the influence of globalisation. Globalisation has resulted in an increase in cultural diversity. Evidence to support my argument is Ballard . This supports my point because he found that South Asian families in the UK retained many elements of traditional South Asian family life.

Question 51

Explain two reasons for the growth in family diversity. pt 2

Answer 51

Another reason is that there is the Impact of secularisation. This is because People no longer feel bound by traditional ideas and expectations of marriage. Evidence to support this is that their 25%of young people aged between 25-29 now cohabit compared with around 18 in the mid -1990s. This supports my argument as diverse families such as cohabitating couple families have emerged.

Question 52

Explain two ways the family supports ruling class interests, according to Marxist theory.(8)

Answer 52

One way is that children are socialised into
the idea that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable. This is because parental power over children teaches them to accept there will always be someone in charge. Evidence to support this is that Althusser argued that the family is an ideological state apparatus. This supports my point as children learn to submit to authority in the family they will submit to authority in the workplace.

Question 53

Explain two ways the family supports ruling class interests, according to Marxist theory. pt 2

Answer 53

Another way is that the family Acts as a safety valve. This is because it absorbs anger & frustration of the worker prevents workers from venting anger and frustration towards the boss. Evidence to support this is marxist feminist Fran Ansley suggested that women are takers of shit as they act as a warm bath for their husbands. This supports my point as this benefits the bourgeoisie because it restricts workers going on strikes and rebelling against the capitalist system.

Question 54

Explain two ways the family supports the interests of men, according
to feminists

Answer 54

One way the family supports the interests of men is by the role of the woman in the family being to ensure that her husband does not go on strike or stop working which suits the patriarchal capitalist system. This is because women are takers of shit according to Marxist feminists Fran Ansley. This is due to the fact women absorb the frustration and anger of the husband. This supports my argument because women act as a safety valve for capitalism as these men are not directing their anger at their bosses which most of the time leads to the dark side of the family.

Question 55

Explain two ways the family supports the interests of men, according
to feminists pt 2

Answer 55

Another way is that the family encourages male power. This is because according to radical feminist Kate millet the family encourages the dark side of the family as the family is based on a patriarchal structure that is socially oppressive towards women. Evidence to support this is that the WHO in 2002 estimated that around 70% of female murder victims are killed by their male partner. This supports my arguments as it shows that the men benefit from the traditional family because it is the root of their power and it being the cause of women’s oppression.

Question 56

Explain two reasons why there may be greater gender equality in the
family today than in the past

Answer 56

More women are in paid full-time employment. This Is because more women in paid employment means a greater need for the male to undertake domestic and child caring duties, compared to the past. Evidence that shows this is liberal feminist Somerville view of the family. This supports my point because liberal feminist believe that women now have equal opportunities and share roles in the family with men due to the changes in society as they have a march in progress view of the family.

Question 57

Explain two reasons why there may be greater gender equality in the
family today than in the past pt 2

Answer 57

Another reason is that there has been a change in traditional male identities. This is because there has been an increase of a blurring distinction between fatherhood and motherhood. Evidence to support this is the emergence of the new man who are fathers that have become more active in the home including taking part in the upbringing of children. This supports my argument because it shows how modern society has changed the concept of fatherhood from the traditional view that the main role of a man in the family is to only be the breadwinner and disciplinary to the children.