Families Flashcards
(53 cards)
What is a nuclear family
Functionalists see the nuclear family as the traditional family type in todays society. They consist of 2 parents man and women, and children.
What is parsons’ view on couples
Parsons believes that in a traditional nuclear family, times are segregated into 2 roles. Instrumental and expressive roles.
What is the instrumental role in the family
The instrumental role in the family is the role that husbands play, by going to work and providing for the family. (Breadwinner)
What is the expressive role
The expressive role is the role traditionally played by mothers who are unable to go to work. They stay at home and conduct all the activities of the children e.g socialisation.
Features of parsons argument
Parsons argues that these roles are based on biological differences as men suit the role of providing for the household, whilst women suit the role of nurturing for the household.
Evaluation of Parsons’ view
However , some sociologists such as Young and Wilnott take a match of progress view and see the roles in the family becoming more symmetrical.
Feminists argue the domestic division of Labour only benefits the patriarchal society.
What is Elizebeth Botts view on couples
She sees 2 types of roles: -joint conjugal roles
-Separate conjugal roles
What are joint conjugal roles?
Joint conjugal roles means the husband and wife in the family take on a majority of similar tasks e.g both are breadwinners.
What are separate conjugal roles?
Separate conjugal roles and when the roles in the family are divided and both husband and wife take on different roles
What is Young and Wilmotts view on the family?
Young and Wilmott take a March of progress view on housework in the family. They believe families are becoming more symmetrical as husband and wife take on similar roles.
What are some reasons to why men help more with housework?
-Changes in women’s positions.
-new tech
-geographical mobility
-high standards of living
What is the feminist view on housework?
Anne Oakley rejects young and wilmotts MOP view and believe that very little in the family has changed.
A research found that only 15% of men took part in house activities,
In what ways do sociologists view childhood
Sociologists see childhood as socially constructed and believe childhood is defined by society.
What is the modern western notion of childhood
It is widely accepted that children differ a lot from adults, due to the significant difference in physiological maturity.
Children do not have the same level of understanding as adults, therefore childhood is seen as a completely different stage in life.
What does Jane pitcher argue
Mate argues that childhood is seen as the ‘golden age’ in life, in terms of innocence and happiness.
Evaluation of the western notion of childhood
However, childhood being a separate stage in life doesn’t represent all societies.
What are the cross-cultural differences in childhood?
This is the view that childhood differs in different countries
What did Ruth Benedict discover?
-in different cultures, children may take responsibility at an early age.
-less value is placed on children being obedient to adults
-children’s sexual behaviour is viewed differently.
Evaluation of the cross cultural differences in childhood
Benedict argues in non-industrial societies, there is less of divide between children and adults.
What did Aries believe
Aries takes a MOP view and believes that the position of childhood is rapidly improving- society is becoming child Centred.
Reasons for the changes in the position of childhood.
-Declining family size and IMR
-industrialisation
-child protection and welfare legislation
-compulsory schooling
-children rights.
What does postman argue
Postman argues that childhood is disappearing as children are beginning to develop the same rights as adults.
In the 19th century adults were illiterate and unable to gain access to anything, but children learn literacy at an early age.
What is the postmodernist view on childhood
Postmodernists take the same view as postman and believe childhood is disappearing. Additionally, they believe that this is dilute to the increasing changes in society. E.g. increase in divorce rates.
Fact and stats for childhood.
An estimate found ONS found that parents spent 220,000 £ on their child before their first birthday. This links to the increased financial position of parents
