Changes in the family structure Flashcards
(13 cards)
Why does Parsons argue industrialization has changed family STRUCTURE?
- pre-industrialization, extended families were most common as they live and work together, producing food to live
- post-industrialization, the nuclear family becomes popular as people leave home to work.
What do functionalists argue has happened to the FUNCTION of families because of industrialization?
- functions of the pre-industrial family (healthcare, education) have been taken over by the state
- nuclear family focuses on socialization
What do functionalists argue has happened to the ROLES in a family because of industrialization?
- pre-industrialization status was ascribed (born into)
- nowadays it is determined by success
- modern nuclear family allows people to better themselves
What roles does Parson’s argue were developed for men and women after industrialization?
expressive (emotional) and instrumental (practical)
Why are Young and Willmott described as ‘march of progress’ sociologists?
they think the family unit has improved over time
How do governments try to influence family structure?
by introducing social policies e.g divorce, benefits, education, employment etc.
What is the welfare state and when was it set up?
1948 set up by labour, people paid national insurance to pay for the welfare state which supported families through benefits, free health care, housing etc
In what year was Margaret Thatcher elected?
1979
During Thatcher’s time as PM, what 3 laws were introduced to enforce responsibility into families?
- Child Support Agency 1993 - forced absent fathers to pay for kids
- The Children Act 1989 - outline rights of a child
- adding a year ‘cooling off’ period before a couple could divorce
What was the ‘third way’?
Tony Blair 1997 (new labour), middle ground between left and right wing ideas, promised a compromise
What policies did new labour introduce?
- civil partnerships
- laws allowing cohabiting couples to adopt
- cut single-parent benefits
In what year was the coalition government formed?
2010 - lib dems and conservatives (Clegg and Cameron)
What 4 policies did the coalition gov introduce in order to encourage families to be less economically dependent on the state?
- removed ‘couples penalty’ which gave more money to couples that lived apart, which promoted marriage
- legalized gay marriage in 2014
- economic austerity in 2008 cut gov spending
- capped housing benefit in 2013 to reduce costs
- capped child benefit in 2015 which discouraged people from having kids
