Family

Question 1

What is the functionalist view on the family? AO1+2

Answer 1

• Functionalists view the family as a key social institution that contributes to the smooth functioning of society.
• They argue the family performs essential functions, such as socializing children, stabilizing adult personalities, and providing emotional support.
• Murdock identifies four essential functions: sexual, reproductive, economic, and educational.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: Functionalists would argue that the family’s role in providing socialization is essential for maintaining social order, teaching children societal norms and values.
• Application to Contemporary Society: In modern society, functionalists might argue that diverse family structures still fulfill these basic needs, though in different ways.

Question 2

What is the functionalist view on the family? AO3

Answer 2

• Strengths:
1. Emphasizes the importance of the family in maintaining social order and stability.
2. Recognizes the family’s role in socializing individuals.
• Weaknesses:
1. Ignores the negative aspects of family life, such as domestic abuse.
2. Overemphasizes the role of the nuclear family, ignoring other family structures.

Question 3

What is the New Right perspective on the family? AO1+2

Answer 3

AO1 (Knowledge):
• The New Right perspective is a conservative view that stresses the importance of the nuclear family.
• They believe that traditional family structures, where a mother and father are married and raise their children, are ideal for social stability.
• They argue that other family types (e.g., single-parent families, cohabiting families) lead to social problems such as crime and poverty.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: The rise in single-parent families has been linked to increases in child poverty and youth crime, according to the New Right.
• Application to Contemporary Society: Policies such as tax breaks for married couples or anti-cohabitation messages are influenced by New Right beliefs.

Question 4

What is the New Right perspective on the family? AO3

Answer 4

AO3 (Evaluation):
• Strengths:
1. Highlights the perceived importance of stable family structures for social cohesion.
2. Critiques modern family changes that deviate from traditional norms.
• Weaknesses:
1. Criticized for being overly idealistic and ignoring the realities of diverse family types.
2. Ignores evidence that single-parent families can also function well and provide positive environments for children.

Question 5

What are feminist views on the family? AO1+2

Answer 5

AO1 (Knowledge):
• Feminists see the family as an institution that reinforces patriarchy, which is a system of male domination.
• They argue that the family primarily benefits men by socializing women into subordinate roles, limiting their opportunities in society.
• Radical feminists argue that the family is the root cause of women’s oppression, while liberal feminists focus on achieving equality within family structures.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: Women still do the majority of domestic labor in many families, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
• Application to Contemporary Society: Feminists would point to the rise in women’s rights and the increase in women entering the workforce as signs of change, but argue that patriarchy is still deeply embedded in family structures.

Question 6

What are feminist views on the family? AO3

Answer 6

AO3 (Evaluation):
• Strengths:
1. Offers a critique of gender inequalities in family life.
2. Highlights how family structures can perpetuate systemic sexism.
• Weaknesses:
1. Overgeneralizes by seeing all families as inherently patriarchal.
2. Ignores the fact that many women choose traditional family roles and view them positively.

Question 7

How do Marxists view the role of the family in society? AO1+2

Answer 7

AO1 (Knowledge):
• Marxists see the family as an institution that supports the capitalist system by reproducing class inequality.
• Families are seen as a way of socializing children to accept their future roles as workers or consumers.
• The family also helps maintain capitalism by providing a ‘safe haven’ for workers, preventing them from questioning the inequalities of the system.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: Working-class children are socialized into lower-paid, less skilled jobs, while middle-class children are encouraged to attain higher education and professional careers.
• Application to Contemporary Society: The rise of consumer culture and the way families encourage children to consume products can be seen as supporting capitalism.

Question 8

How do Marxists view the role of the family in society? AO3

Answer 8

Strengths:
1. Sheds light on how the family maintains social stratification.
2. Emphasizes the role of the family in social reproduction of class.
• Weaknesses:
1. Overemphasizes the role of capitalism and economic factors in shaping family life.
2. Neglects the agency of individuals within family structures.

Question 9

How does the postmodernist perspective view family life? AO1+2

Answer 9

AO1 (Knowledge):
• Postmodernists argue that family life is no longer fixed or based on any one set of norms.
• They argue that families are diverse and that individuals can choose the type of family structure that works best for them.
• This perspective highlights the increasing diversity of family forms, including cohabitation, same-sex families, and single-parent households.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: The growing acceptance and legalization of same-sex marriages reflect the diversity in modern family structures.
• Application to Contemporary Society: Modern families now often break traditional boundaries, such as extended families living apart or cohabitation before marriage.

Question 10

How does the postmodernist perspective view family life? AO3

Answer 10

Strengths:
1. Reflects the reality of family diversity in contemporary society.
2. Recognizes the changing role of family members in an increasingly individualistic society.
• Weaknesses:
1. May fail to acknowledge the ongoing inequalities within some family forms (e.g., gender roles, class inequalities).
2. Critics argue it downplays the importance of social structures in shaping family life.

Question 11

What are the key functions of the family according to George Peter Murdock? AO1+2

Answer 11

AO1 (Knowledge):
• Murdock identified four essential functions of the family:
1. Sexual: Regulating sexual behavior to maintain social order.
2. Reproductive: Reproducing the next generation.
3. Economic: Providing for the economic needs of the family members.
4. Educational: Socializing children into societal norms and values.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: A nuclear family setting provides an environment where parents teach children cultural norms, shaping the values they will carry into adulthood.
• Application to Contemporary Society: In a reconstituted family, these functions may be adapted to suit the needs of stepchildren or blended families.

Question 12

What are the key functions of the family according to George Peter Murdock? AO3

Answer 12

AO3 (Evaluation):
• Strengths:
1. Provides a systematic and clear way of understanding the family’s role in society.
2. Identifies the multifaceted nature of the family and its importance in maintaining society.
• Weaknesses:
1. Overemphasizes the nuclear family and its universal applicability.
2. Ignores how family functions might be fulfilled in non-traditional family structures.

Question 13

How does the changing role of women impact family life? AO1+2

Answer 13

AO1 (Knowledge):
• The role of women in the family has changed significantly, especially in terms of paid employment, education, and reproductive rights.
• Women’s increasing participation in the workforce has led to shifts in household responsibilities, with more shared duties between partners.
• Feminists argue that this change highlights both progress and ongoing gender inequalities, such as the “double shift” (working a paid job while also doing the majority of domestic work).

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: The increasing number of women in leadership positions reflects a shift in family dynamics as women are now seen as financial contributors and not just caregivers.
• Application to Contemporary Society: The rise in stay-at-home fathers or dual-career couples reflects changing family dynamics where women and men share domestic and economic roles more equally.

Question 14

How does the changing role of women impact family life? AO3

Answer 14

AO3 (Evaluation):
• Strengths:
1. Highlights the positive shift in gender roles, especially in more equal sharing of domestic labor.
2. Reflects how changes in society impact family life.
• Weaknesses:
1. May underestimate the persistence of traditional gender roles in many households.
2. Fails to address the challenges women face in balancing work and home life.

Question 15

What is the concept of the ‘empty nest’ in family sociology? AO1 +2

Answer 15

AO1 (Knowledge):
• The ‘empty nest’ refers to a phase in family life when children leave the parental home to live independently, leaving parents with an empty household.
• This stage can lead to changes in family dynamics, such as couples rekindling their relationships or reassessing their roles.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: When children go to university or start their own families, parents often experience a sense of loss or freedom, which may impact their relationship.
• Application to Contemporary Society: Some parents may choose to downsize or pursue new life goals, such as travel or career changes, once the children leave.

Question 16

What is the concept of the ‘empty nest’ in family sociology? AO3

Answer 16

• Strengths:
1. Highlights the emotional and psychological impact of children leaving home on parents.
2. Offers insights into how the family structure evolves over time.
• Weaknesses:
1. The empty nest effect might not apply to all families, especially in cultures where children remain at home longer.
2. May overlook the fact that some parents find fulfillment in their roles even after their children leave.

Question 17

How has cohabitation changed in family structures? AO1+2

Answer 17

AO1 (Knowledge):
• Cohabitation refers to couples living together without being married. It has become more common in recent decades.
• Cohabitation can serve as a prelude to marriage or as a long-term alternative to it.
• The rise in cohabitation has led to debates about its impact on marriage rates, with some sociologists arguing that cohabitation leads to more stable relationships and others suggesting it weakens traditional family values.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: The growing acceptance of cohabitation in many Western societies reflects shifting attitudes toward marriage.
• Application to Contemporary Society: In countries like Sweden and France, cohabitation is widely accepted, with fewer people seeing marriage as necessary.

Question 18

How has cohabitation changed in family structures? AO3

Answer 18

AO3 (Evaluation):
• Strengths:
1. Reflects changing attitudes toward marriage and family life in modern society.
2. Supports the view that family structures are evolving and becoming more diverse.
• Weaknesses:
1. Might ignore cultural differences in cohabitation rates and attitudes toward marriage.
2. Some argue that cohabitation undermines traditional family values and commitment.

Question 19

What is family diversity and how does it impact family life? AO1+2

Answer 19

AO1 (Knowledge):
• Family diversity refers to the various types of family structures that exist in society, including nuclear families, extended families, lone-parent families, stepfamilies, and same-sex families.
• The increase in family diversity has been attributed to factors such as changes in social attitudes, laws, and economic conditions.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: The rise in single-parent families and same-sex families shows how family diversity has expanded in modern society.
• Application to Contemporary Society: Changing laws, such as those allowing same-sex marriage, have led to greater acceptance of different family structures.

Question 20

What is family diversity and how does it impact family life? AO3

Answer 20

AO3 (Evaluation):
• Strengths:
1. Acknowledges the pluralistic nature of modern family life.
2. Highlights the importance of family structures in shaping social norms.
• Weaknesses:
1. The emphasis on diversity may overlook the challenges faced by certain types of families (e.g., poverty in single-parent families).
2. May underplay the role of social class and inequality in shaping family diversity.

Question 21

How do same-sex families challenge traditional family structures? AO1+2

Answer 21

AO1 (Knowledge):
• Same-sex families involve two individuals of the same gender who form a family unit, often including children from previous relationships or through adoption.
• The recognition and acceptance of same-sex families have grown in recent decades, particularly after legal reforms such as same-sex marriage in many countries.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: The legalization of same-sex marriage and the increasing visibility of same-sex parents challenge the traditional heterosexual family model.
• Application to Contemporary Society: Same-sex families challenge the assumption that all families should consist of a male-female couple with children, promoting a broader definition of what constitutes a family.

Question 22

How do same-sex families challenge traditional family structures? AO3

Answer 22

• Strengths:
1. Acknowledges the growing diversity in family structures and the legitimacy of same-sex relationships.
2. Provides an opportunity to challenge traditional gender and sexual norms.
• Weaknesses:
1. Criticized by some for promoting family structures that deviate from traditional norms.
2. Does not address the specific challenges that same-sex families face, such as discrimination or societal rejection.

Question 23

What does individualization theory argue about family life? AO1+2

Answer 23

AO1 (Knowledge):
• Individualization theory, proposed by sociologist Ulrich Beck, argues that individuals in modern societies are increasingly free to make their own choices, including those regarding family life.
• This has led to more fluid and flexible family structures, as individuals prioritize personal desires over traditional norms.

AO2 (Application):
• Real-world Example: People delaying marriage, having fewer children, or choosing non-traditional family structures (e.g., cohabitation) reflects individualization.
• Application to Contemporary Society: Modern couples may prioritize career or personal growth before settling down, reflecting the growing importance of individual choice in shaping family life.

Question 24

What does individualization theory argue about family life? AO3

Answer 24

• Strengths:
1. Offers a clear explanation of how personal choice influences family structures.
2. Reflects the shift from rigid family roles to more flexible arrangements.
• Weaknesses:
1. Ignores the influence of social structures (e.g., class, ethnicity) on family life.
2. May overstate the extent to which individuals have complete freedom in their family decisions.

Question 25

How does social class affect family life? AO1+2

Answer 25

AO1 (Knowledge): • Social class influences family life in various ways, such as the economic resources available to a family, parenting styles, and access to education. • Families from higher social classes often have more economic resources, which can lead to greater opportunities for children and more involvement in extracurricular activities. • Working-class families may face financial constraints, which could impact family dynamics and limit access to certain opportunities.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: Working-class families may prioritize job stability over educational attainment, leading to a focus on providing for the family rather than investing in personal development. • Application to Contemporary Society: The wealth gap between social classes can perpetuate cycles of poverty, influencing the opportunities children have for upward social mobility.

Question 26

How does social class affect family life? AO3

Answer 26

• Strengths: 1. Highlights how social class influences access to resources and opportunities. 2. Recognizes the importance of social class in shaping family dynamics. • Weaknesses: 1. Does not account for changes in social mobility and access to education. 2. May underplay the impact of other factors like ethnicity or gender on family life.

Question 27

What does the functionalist perspective say about the family? AO1+2

Answer 27

AO1 (Knowledge): • Functionalist sociologists, such as Talcott Parsons, view the family as a vital institution that plays a key role in maintaining social stability. • The family is seen as performing essential functions, including socializing children, stabilizing adult personalities, and providing emotional support. • Functionalists argue that the nuclear family is the ideal family structure for fulfilling these roles.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: In societies with strong family values, such as many Western countries, families are often expected to fulfill these core functions to maintain social order. • Application to Contemporary Society: The growing acceptance of diverse family structures, such as single-parent families and same-sex families, challenges the functionalist view of the nuclear family as essential.

Question 28

What does the functionalist perspective say about the family? AO3

Answer 28

AO3 (Evaluation): • Strengths: 1. Provides a clear framework for understanding the roles that families play in society. 2. Emphasizes the importance of family in socializing children and maintaining stability. • Weaknesses: 1. Idealizes the nuclear family and overlooks the complexities of other family types. 2. Fails to consider how the family may reinforce inequality, particularly gender and class inequalities.

Question 29

What does the feminist perspective say about the family? AO1+2

Answer 29

AO1 (Knowledge): • Feminist sociologists argue that the family is a site of gender inequality, where women are often expected to perform the majority of domestic and caregiving duties. • They believe that traditional family structures perpetuate patriarchy by reinforcing gender roles and limiting women’s freedom and opportunities outside the home.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: The “second shift” concept, where women are expected to work both paid jobs and do the majority of household chores, illustrates the feminist critique of family life. • Application to Contemporary Society: The rise in dual-income households challenges traditional gender roles, yet research shows that women still perform more housework than men, indicating persistent gender inequality.

Question 30

What does the feminist perspective say about the family? AO3

Answer 30

AO3 (Evaluation): • Strengths: 1. Highlights the role of the family in perpetuating gender inequalities. 2. Provides insights into how social expectations shape family dynamics. • Weaknesses: 1. May overlook improvements in gender equality in modern families. 2. Fails to acknowledge how men are also affected by traditional gender expectations within the family.

Question 31

What role does migration play in family structures? AO1+2

Answer 31

AO1 (Knowledge): • Migration can impact family structures by separating families across borders or creating transnational families, where members live in different countries but maintain close ties. • Immigration may result in extended family networks, with children living with grandparents or aunts and uncles while parents work abroad.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: In countries like the UK, immigration from Eastern Europe has led to families adopting different forms of living arrangements, with some children left behind in their home countries. • Application to Contemporary Society: Families in the globalized world are increasingly dispersed, with technology playing a role in maintaining relationships across distances.

Question 32

What role does migration play in family structures? AO3

Answer 32

• Strengths: 1. Acknowledges the impact of global migration on family life and structures. 2. Provides insights into how migration affects family relationships and dynamics. • Weaknesses: 1. May overemphasize the negative impact of migration on family life, ignoring potential benefits like improved financial stability. 2. Fails to account for the role of social class and ethnicity in shaping migration experiences.

Question 33

How does the ageing population affect family life? AO1+2

Answer 33

AO1 (Knowledge): • The ageing population refers to the increasing proportion of older individuals in society due to longer life expectancy and lower birth rates. • Families may experience increased caregiving responsibilities as elderly relatives require assistance with daily activities or healthcare. • The ageing population can also shift family dynamics, with more multigenerational households and changes in the roles of children and parents.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: In Japan, the elderly population is rapidly growing, leading to a cultural shift where children are expected to care for elderly parents. • Application to Contemporary Society: The rise in elderly care services and changes in pension policies reflect the impact of the ageing population on family life and public policy.

Question 34

How does the ageing population affect family life? AO3

Answer 34

• Strengths: 1. Highlights the demographic changes that affect family structures and responsibilities. 2. Provides insights into the economic and emotional costs of an ageing population. • Weaknesses: 1. May overlook the benefits of an ageing population, such as the wisdom and experience older individuals bring to family life. 2. Fails to address how family structures in different cultures respond to the challenges of ageing.

Question 35

How does the division of labor within the family work according to sociologists? AO1+2

Answer 35

AO1 (Knowledge): • The division of labor refers to how tasks within the family are allocated, traditionally based on gender, with women doing most of the domestic labor and men engaging in paid work. • Sociologists such as William Goode and Talbot Parsons argue that this division ensures family stability by assigning specific roles to each member.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: In traditional families, women are often the primary caregivers and homemakers, while men serve as breadwinners. • Application to Contemporary Society: The rise in dual-income families has led to more shared responsibility for domestic work, although studies show that women still do more housework than men.

Question 36

How does the division of labor within the family work according to sociologists? AO3

Answer 36

• Strengths: 1. Highlights the social roles assigned to men and women in traditional family structures. 2. Provides a useful framework for understanding gender roles within the family. • Weaknesses: 1. Overemphasizes traditional roles and ignores the impact of changing gender norms in contemporary families. 2. Fails to consider how factors like social class, ethnicity, and personal preferences influence family labor divisions.

Question 37

How does the influence of the media affect family life? AO1+2

Answer 37

AO1 (Knowledge): • The media plays a significant role in shaping family norms and expectations by portraying idealized family structures and behaviors. • Media representations often focus on nuclear family structures and traditional gender roles, influencing societal expectations of how families should function. • The media also reflects and shapes the changing nature of families, including the portrayal of non-traditional families, such as single-parent families and same-sex families.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: Television shows like “The Simpsons” or “Modern Family” offer representations of family life, affecting how viewers perceive the roles of parents and children. • Application to Contemporary Society: The rise of social media and online platforms provides families with new ways to interact and engage in parenting, but also introduces pressures like online parenting comparisons.

Question 38

How does the influence of the media affect family life? AO3

Answer 38

AO3 (Evaluation): • Strengths: 1. Highlights the power of the media in shaping public perceptions of family roles. 2. Acknowledges how media reflects changes in family structures. • Weaknesses: 1. Fails to account for the diversity of family experiences in different cultural contexts. 2. May overemphasize the impact of media on family life without fully considering other influential factors like social class or economic conditions.

Question 39

What is the concept of family diversity, and how does it challenge traditional family structures? AO1 +2

Answer 39

AO1 (Knowledge): • Family diversity refers to the existence of a wide range of family forms and structures, including nuclear families, single-parent families, extended families, stepfamilies, and same-sex families. • Sociologists like David Morgan and Judith Stacey argue that family diversity is a reflection of changing social norms and values. • Postmodernists claim that the diversity of family types reflects individual choice, and traditional family structures are no longer seen as ideal or necessary.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: The growing number of cohabiting couples, unmarried parents, and same-sex families challenges the traditional nuclear family model. • Application to Contemporary Society: Changes in divorce rates, marriage patterns, and family configurations contribute to the increasing diversity of family types in modern societies.

Question 40

What is the concept of family diversity, and how does it challenge traditional family structures? AO3

Answer 40

AO3 (Evaluation): • Strengths: 1. Acknowledges that family life has become more varied and less uniform. 2. Reflects how societal changes, such as shifts in gender roles and attitudes toward marriage, have influenced family structures. • Weaknesses: 1. Does not address the challenges that families outside the traditional nuclear model may face, such as social stigma or economic instability. 2. May overemphasize the positive aspects of family diversity without fully considering the impact of economic or social pressures on certain family types.

Question 41

What impact does legislation and social policy have on family life? AO1+2

Answer 41

AO1 (Knowledge): • Legislation and social policies, such as parental leave, childcare subsidies, and divorce laws, influence family dynamics by shaping the roles and responsibilities of family members. • Welfare policies and laws regarding marriage, adoption, and family benefits often affect family life by either supporting or restricting certain family structures.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: Policies like the Child Benefit Act or Maternity Leave laws in the UK aim to support working families and encourage work-life balance. • Application to Contemporary Society: Changes in family policy, such as same-sex marriage legalization or parental leave policies, reflect evolving societal attitudes toward family structures and roles.

Question 42

What impact does legislation and social policy have on family life? AO3

Answer 42

• Strengths: 1. Highlights how policies can support families and influence their economic and social wellbeing. 2. Provides insight into how the state regulates and intervenes in family life. • Weaknesses: 1. Fails to consider how policies may disproportionately affect certain families, such as single-parent or low-income families. 2. Does not fully address the extent to which cultural norms and values can shape family life despite government policies.

Question 43

What are the criticisms of the family from a conflict theory perspective? AO1+2

Answer 43

AO1 (Knowledge): • Conflict theorists (e.g., Marxists and feminists) argue that the family functions to reproduce social inequalities. • Marxist sociologists see the family as a tool of capitalism, where families are used to socialize children into accepting capitalist values and maintaining class inequality. • Feminist theorists critique the family for perpetuating gender inequalities, with women performing unpaid labor that benefits the male-dominated capitalist society.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: Marxist perspectives highlight how the family socializes children into capitalist values, such as the importance of work and consumption, which benefits the economy. • Application to Contemporary Society: Feminist criticisms of unpaid domestic labor are evident in discussions of the “gender pay gap” and the unequal distribution of housework.

Question 44

What are the criticisms of the family from a conflict theory perspective? AO3

Answer 44

AO3 (Evaluation): • Strengths: 1. Provides a critical lens for understanding how the family reinforces social inequalities, particularly in terms of class and gender. 2. Highlights how the family can perpetuate social hierarchies and power imbalances. • Weaknesses: 1. Overemphasizes the role of the family in reinforcing inequality, neglecting the potential for families to be sites of support and solidarity. 2. Does not consider how changing economic and social conditions have led to more equal gender roles in many families.

Question 45

What does the concept of the dark side of the family refer to? AO1+2

Answer 45

AO1 (Knowledge): • The “dark side of the family” refers to the negative aspects of family life, such as domestic violence, child abuse, and coercive control. • Sociologists argue that the family, often seen as a source of love and support, can also be a site for exploitation and harm.   AO2 (Application): • Real-world Example: Domestic violence and child abuse cases highlight the darker aspects of family life, which can have long-term psychological and social consequences. • Application to Contemporary Society: The rise in awareness of domestic violence and the implementation of policies to protect victims demonstrate the efforts to address the hidden harm in family life.

Question 46

What does the concept of the dark side of the family refer to? AO3

Answer 46

AO3 (Evaluation): • Strengths: 1. Raises awareness of the harmful aspects of family life that may be ignored or underreported. 2. Acknowledges that family dynamics can sometimes perpetuate abuse and trauma. • Weaknesses: 1. Does not consider the role of support networks, such as extended family or social services, in helping victims. 2. Overemphasizes the negative aspects of family life, failing to recognize the positive functions families serve for most people.