Families and Households Flashcards
(101 cards)
1
Q
What did Parsons suggest about domestic division of labour?
A
- Instrumental role - male breadwinner
- Expressive role - female caring mother
2
Q
What are the 2 types of conjugal roles? Which sociologist?
A
Bolt
1. Segregated conjugal roles - like Parsons idea
2. Joint conjugal roles - couple share tasks
3
Q
What is the March of progress view - domestic division of labour?
A
Willmott and Young
Families are more equal, more joint conjugal roles = more symmetry.
4
Q
How do feminists oppose march of progress view?
A
Women going to work does not mean they’re equal.
Dual burden and triple shift exist.
5
Q
What is the dual burden - feminists?
A
Women having to do both housework and paid work.
6
Q
What is emotion work? Which sociologist?
Leads to _______ _____
A
Hochschild
Women must manage their own, husband and children’s emotions.
Thus, triple shift of paid work, housework and emotion work.
7
Q
What are the 2 explanations of the gender division in domestic labour?
A
- Cultural explanation - women perform housework as society expects this ‘norm’.
- Material explanation - women earn less at paid work.
8
Q
What did Kempson say about decision-making?
A
W.C. mothers make sure money goes towards the kids.
Even if they have to skip meals.
Resources are shared unequally.
9
Q
What did Pahl and Vogler suggest about decision-making? Money management
A
- Allowance system - husbands give wives an allowance for family needs. Man keeps the rest.
- Pooling - shared bank account.
10
Q
What does Edgell suggest about decision-making?
A
Important decisions like job, housing –> men
Less important like holiday destination –> joint
Not important like clothes, food –> women
11
Q
How do feminists explain decision-making?
A
Not linked to money but cultural expectations.
Patriarchal society and gender role socialisation.
12
Q
What is domestic violence?
A
Physical, sexual or psychological abuse.
13
Q
What are some statistics on domestic violence?
A
- 2 females are killed a week by male partner.
- Yearshire found women suffer an average of 35 assaults before reporting (if they do).
14
Q
How do radical feminists explain D.V? Which sociologists?
A
Dobash and Dobash
D.V caused by patriarchy.
Challenges to male authority –> pressures men’s power over women.
similar to crisis of masculinity.
15
Q
Evaluate the radical feminist explanation on D.V.
A
Elliot
Not all men are violent.
Fails to explain how some women are more likely to face D.V. (young, W.C)
16
Q
How do marxist feminists explain D.V? Which sociologists?
A
Wilkinson and Pickett
D.V. is a result of stress on family members.
Low income –> frustration = violence.
Ansley
Women are ‘takers of shit’.
Capitalism –> men exploited –> take it out on wives.
17
Q
Evaluate the marxist feminist explanation on D.V.
A
Doesn’t explain male victims.
D.V. is not limited to the W.C. and not all men commit.
18
Q
How do postmodernists explain D.V.? Which sociologist?
A
Giddens
D.V. is caused by emotional intensity.
Nuclear families are more isolated –> lack of people to vent to = frustration and violence.
19
Q
Evaluate the postmodernists explanation on D.V.
A
Not all nuclear families are abusive.
20
Q
What does it mean if childhood is a social construct.
A
Created by society / unnatural.
Sociologists agree with this or disagree.
21
Q
What is Pilcher’s opinion on the social construction of childhood?
A
Not social construction.
Clear and distinct life stages. Age of innocence, different use of law, services, toys.
22
Q
What is Benedict’s opinion on the social construction of childhood?
A
Is a social construction.
Cross-cultural difference –> childhood varies culture to culture.
Evidence in Punch’s study in rural Bolivia –> 5 y/o expected to work.
23
Q
How does historical relativity explain that childhood is a social construct.
A
Aries
10th to 13th –> childhood did not exist.
Pre-industrial paintings –> ‘mini adults’.
Modern era –> protected, innocent, dependent.
24
Q
Pollock criticises historical relativity. How?
A
Childhood did exist, just a different notion from today’s.
+ artwork is not valid nor objective
25
How is childhood disappearing? Which sociologist?
Postman
Collapse of information hierarchy.
- Technology / t.v. gives access to adult knowledge.
- Children given same rights.
- Children sometimes commit 'adult' crimes like murder.
26
Evaluate childhood disappearing.
Opie
Not disappearing, but is changing.
Still there's a separate culture for kids --> rhymes, games.
27
Postmodernity --> childhood is changing.
Which sociologist? Explain.
Jenks
Modern --> postmodern society.
More divorce, changes in stable relationships.
Adults become even more protective and secure = greater innocence, vulnerable.
28
Evaluate Jenks' view.
Over-generalising
Not all children are in the same position.
e.g. of same sex-couple, lone parents. Other family types exist.
29
How do March of Progress View explain childhood is changing and improving.
4 ways.
Legal --> work restrictions, compulsory education, juvie.
Rights --> UN makes sure children are protected.
Social services --> to protect and support.
Child-centered family --> less children to ensure they're taken care of. Decisions made in best interest of the child.
30
What is a 'toxic childhood'? Which sociologist?
Against childhood improving.
Palmer
Children are more obese, more self-harm, more mental health issues and teen pregnancy.
31
What is the conflict view on changes to childhood?
3 sociologists.
(not improving).
Woodroffe - social class.
Poor kids will be malnourished = illness, infancy death and poor concentration.
Hillman - gender.
Boys get more freedom. Girls have to do bedroom culture and quiet activities.
Brannen - ethnicity.
Asians are tougher on kids, especially girls.
32
How do Firestone and Holt explain that childhood is not improving.
Care and protection is control and oppression.
Space --> specific areas where they're allowed. More CCTV.
Resources --> dependent on adults. + child benefit given to parent, not the child.
Time --> strict, daily routines. What they eat, sleep, watch.
Bodies --> how they sit, walk, talk, dress. Told how to control like 'don't pick your nose'
33
What is the 'new sociology of childhood'?
Studies of childhood can be dangerous.
Mayall - children seen as socialisation projects for adults to mould.
Smart - hence, we need to include views from children for better approach.
Unstructured interviews to see the world from a child's view.
34
What are Murdock's 4 essential functions of families?
1. Socialisation of the youth
2. Stable sexual relations
3. Meeting economic needs
4. Reproduction
35
Evaluate Murdock.
Neglects negative / hidden side of family.
D.V. and oppression.
36
What are Parsons's 2 functions of families?
1. Primary socialisation
2. Stabilisation of adult personalities --> emotional security through marriage.
De-stress after work = avoids conflict.
37
Evaluate Parson.
Assumes everyone takes up norms and values.
Ignores other family types - not all are nuclear.
38
What 3 functions do Marxists believe families play?
Family is a tool for capitalism.
1. Inheritance of property and wealth - Engles
Monogamy - wealth passed down to children = continues class inequalities.
2. Unit of consumption
Families targeted by advertisers to buy products.
Children use 'pester-power' to ensure they have latest things to prevent bullying.
3. Socialisation
Inequality is inevitable --> preparing them to accept orders from capitalist employers = maintains capitalism.
39
Evaluate Marxist perspective on their functions of the family.
Ignores the positive effects of family (-)
Nuclear family is dominant (-)
Deterministic (feminists) ignores patriarchy (-)
Explains dark side of family (+).
40
Feminists believe families are a tool of ______ _______
________ family serves needs of ______
Tool of female oppression.
Nuclear family serves needs of men.
41
What do liberal feminists say about families.
Families becoming more equal through laws and attitude changes.
Socialising both genders to do housework and paid work.
BUT not 100% equal yet.
42
Evaluate liberal feminists view on families/equality.
Overstates equality.
Triple shift still exists.
+ changing the laws is not enough - underlying causes still exist.
43
What do radical feminists say about families.
Patriarchy must be overturned.
Family needs to be abolished for system of separatism.
44
Evaluate radical feminists on function of families.
Failure to see improvements that have been made.
e.g. better access to divorce, no longer trapped.
45
What do Marxist feminists say about families?
Capitalism oppress women, not men.
Women reproduce and socialise them into social hierarchy.
Women absorbs anger of men - takers of shit
Women are a reserve army of cheap labour (WW2)
46
Evaluate marxists feminists about their opinion on families.
Women are no longer a reserve army of cheap labour --> they're allowed to work and be the breadwinner.
47
What do difference feminism say about families?
We cannot generalise women's experiences.
e.g. black woman may find her family a refuge from societal racism.
e.g. what about lesbian families?
48
Evaluate difference feminism's opinion on families.
Neglects similarities that women face regardless of their differences.
e.g. gender pay gap, risk of D.V
49
What is the personal life perspective concerned with?
Concerned with the meaning behind relationships.
Families can be other than biological e.g. friends, kins, pets.
50
What does Nordqvist and Smart propose under personal life perspective.
We choose our families.
Donor-conceived children mothers say 'the time taken to raise their child is a mother, not the cell that started the process'.
51
Evaluate the personal life perspective.
Helps understand how we construct and define family differs (+) interactionism.
PLP is too broad (-) includes too many relationship types. Ignoring what is special about relationships based on marriage and blood.
52
What is birth rate? Increased or decreased?
Number of lives born per year per 1000 of the population.
Decrease
53
Why has birth rate decreased?
1. Changing roles of women
2. Economic liability
3. Child centeredness (quality over quantity)
54
What is death rate? Increased or decreased?
Number of deaths per year per 100 of the population.
Decrease.
55
Why has death rate decreased?
1. Medical improvements
2. Improved nutrition
3. Reduction in smoking
4. Public health measures
56
What is life expectancy? Increased or decreased?
Average number of years a person can be expected to live.
Increased.
57
Why has life expectancy increased?
1. Decreased infant mortality
2. Less dangerous working conditions
3. Better health care and nutrition
58
What are some impacts of the 3 trends? (birth, death and life expectancy)
1. Smaller families --> women go to work.
2. Unequal dependency ratio --> fewer babies, smaller working adults = dependency burden increases.
3. Fewer schools and child health care needed.
4. More elderly --> dependency ratio increased.
5. More elderly --> more strain on NHS
59
What is the aging population? Increased or decreased?
Extent to which the population is living longer than the number of new births. Increased.
60
Why has the aging population increased?
1. Increased life expectancy
2. Declining fertility
3. Declining infant mortality
61
What are the effects of an aging population?
1. More strain on NHS
2. More housing and public services needed
3. Increased dependency ratio
62
What is ageism?
Prejudice against the elderly.
Excluded from paid work and have to be dependent on younger adults.
63
What is migration? Increased or decreased?
Movement of people from one place to another. Increased.
64
What are push factors?
Factors that make you want to leave your country.
War, poverty, government, lack of job opportunities.
65
What are pull factors?
Factors that make you want to move to a country.
Better job opportunities, safety, education, weather.
66
What is immigration?
Moving to a country that is not your origin.
67
What is emigration?
Leaving your country of origin.
68
What is net migration?
The difference between the number of people leaving versus the number of people coming in.
69
What impact does an increased migration rate have on UK?
1. UK population is growing.
2. Lower age structure. More young adults and babies entering UK.
70
What is globalisation?
Barriers between societies are disappearing through media and communication.
- Dual heritage / hybrid identities
- Cultural diversity
71
What is divorce? Increased or decreased?
Legal discussion of a marriage.
Increased since the 1960s but since 1990s decreased. (still high just lower)
72
What is cohabitation? Increased or decreased?
Two intimate people (couple) living together. Increased
73
What is marriage? Increased or decreased?
Legal recognition of two people as partners. Declining.
74
What are some reasons for these trends (divorce, marriage and cohabitation)?
1. Women's independence - more work and pay.
2. Secularisation - less religious influence = divorce and cohabitation more common.
3. Social changes - expectations have changed. If not met = divorce.
4. Legal changes - divorce is easier for both genders.
5. Less stigma - more accepting of divorce.
75
What is the negative impact of these trends (marriage, cohabitation and divorce)?
Which perspective / sociologist?
New Right - wants nuclear families for stability. Divorce grown lone-parent families.
Murphy - children of cohabiting parents are at a disadvantage.
76
What are the positive impacts of these trends (marriage, cohabitation and divorce)?
Which perspective / sociologists?
Feminists - women are no longer trapped in marriage. Cohabitation has led to more equality in roles.
Beaujouan and Ni Bhrolchain - cohabitation decreases divorce as a 'pre-marriage test'.
Bernardes - divorce is less damaging on children than a negative marriage.
77
What are the reasons for 47% of all children born outside marraige.
1. Decline in stigma and increased cohabitation
2. Women more focused on careers.
78
What are the reasons for lone parent families increasing? 90% lone mothers.
1. Increase in divorce and separation.
2. Courts usually give custody to mothers.
3. Men are typically less willing to give up work to care for children.
79
What are ethnic differences in the type of family?
Black families --> more lone-parent households.
Asian families --> larger, multi-generational households.
80
What is functional fit theory? Which sociologist?
Parsons - functionalism
Nuclear is the best. Other types are dysfunctional.
Family structure is constantly changing to meet needs of society at that time.
81
What does New Right - Murray say about family diversity?
Diversity = social breakdown.
Patriarchal nuclear family --> only correct type. Must be gendered roles.
82
Evaluate New Right's / Murray perspective on family diversity.
Feminists
Prevents equality. Negative view damages feminist campaign.
83
What does Postmodernism say about family diversity?
Diversity is increasing as a result of growing choice and globalisation.
Society has become individualised - female equality.
Relationships based on 'true love' not money.
84
What do feminists say about family diversity?
Growing diversity = positive for women.
Allowing women to break away from traditional roles and create family arrangements that meet their needs.
85
Name Rapoport and Rapoport's 5 types of family diversity (as it has increased) CLOGS
1. Cultural diversity
2. Life course analysis
3. Organisational diversity
4. Generational diversity
5. Social class diversity
86
Explain cultural diversity - Rapoport and Rapoport
Black-lone parent
Asians-extended families
87
Explain life course analysis - Rapoport and Rapoport
Family structure changes as we go through life.
e.g. young newlyweds, family, retired couple, widow.
88
Explain organisational diversity - Rapoport and Rapoport
Differences in ways family roles are organised.
89
Explain generational diversity - Rapoport and Rapoport
Generations have different attitudes that reflect the historical periods in which they have live.
90
Explain social class diversity - Rapoport and Rapoport
Income differences can cause for different family structures.
e.g. type of housing, holiday
91
What is the individualisation thesis? Which perspective?
Postmodernist view
Traditional structure of family is lost.
We can choose the type of family that meets our needs.
92
What does Giddens say under individualisation thesis?
Women have gained independence and contraception (birth control) --> sex without reproducing = equal relationship.
93
Giddens under individualisation thesis, identified 2 relationship types. What are they?
1. Pure relationship - no longer held by law, religion or financial security.
Exists to satisfy needs of happiness, sexual attraction rather than for tradition (duty).
2. Same-sex relations - lead the way to more democratic, new and equal relationships to serve own needs (Giddens) .
94
What is a negotiated family? Which sociologist under what perspective?
Individualisation thesis
Beck - postmodernism
We are more aware of risks.
A negotiated family do not conform to traditional norm but decide what is best for themselves.
More equal but less stable - as they're free to leave if needs aren't met.
95
Evaluate the individualisation thesis.
Connectedness thesis.
Argues against --> people live in a web of connectedness.
Networks of relationships and personal history that influence and shapes choices.
96
What are functionalists view on social policies? What does Fletcher suggest?
Positive - helps families perform their functions = helps society.
Fletcher - argues health, education policies have developed welfare state = supports families.
97
Evaluate the functionalists view on social policies.
Assumes all members benefit equally. Feminists --> say women don't benefit from social policies.
98
What is New Right's view on social policies?
Strongly in favour of the traditional nuclear family --> self-reliant.
View social policies negatively as it promotes family diversity. (easier divorce law, gay civil partnerships)
99
Evaluate the New Right's view on social policies.
Feminists
It's an attempt to justify a return to traditional, patriarchal nuclear family.
+ New Right ignores many policies that support and maintain the conventional nuclear family.
100
What are feminists view on social policies?
Policies are negative --> maintain unequal gender division.
Many policies are held by norms of a normal family.
e.g. tax and benefit policies goes to male breadwinner. Assumes female is not breadwinner = cannot claim social security benefit = reinforces women's dependence on husbands.
e.g. assumes normal = married
Offers tax incentives to married couples but no cohabiting = encourages cohabitation.
101
Evaluate feminists view on social policies.
Not all policies maintain patriarchy.
For instance equal pay or in 1991, when rape in marriage was made a crime.
