Family And Households Flashcards
(157 cards)
1
Q
What’s the difference between sex and gender?
A
Sex refers to biological differences, whereas gender is the socially constructed differences.
2
Q
Define conjugal
A
Relating to marriage, or between a married couple
3
Q
What is egalitarian views?
A
Believing that everyone is deserving of equal rights/ opportunities
4
Q
What role does family have in gender socalisation ?
A
In families, children are typically brought up with men having the instrumental role, and women having the expressive role, so they are taught that this is the norm.
5
Q
What role does school play in gender socialisation?
A
Schools often have gendered subjects like PE being separated between girls and boys. Schools also have different uniform policies for girls and boys.
6
Q
What role does the media play in gender socialisation?
A
Books / films for children often teach gender roles - like women are usually saved by men. Also, women in the media are often judged for their bodies, like page 3 girls.
7
Q
What role does the media play in gender socialisation?
A
Books / films for children often teach gender roles - like women are usually saved by men. Also, women in the media are often judged for their bodies, like page 3 girls.
8
Q
What is the domestic division of labour?
A
The roles that men and women play in relationship to housework, childcare and paid work.
9
Q
What is the instrumental role ?
A
Men’s role - to do paid work and support the family financially
10
Q
What is the expressive role?
A
Women’s role - unpaid domestic labour, childcare and emotional support.
11
Q
Which sociologist distinguishes between segregated and joint conjugal roles.
A
Bott
12
Q
What does parsons argue is the reason for the division of labour?
A
Biological differences between men and women.
13
Q
What is the ‘symmetrical family’?
A
The idea that families are moving towards more joint conjugal roles and men and women have similar roles within the family.
14
Q
what sociologists came up with the idea of a ‘symmetrical family’?
A
Wilmott and Young.
15
Q
what does Ann Oakley argue about housework?
A
That the symmetrical family claim is exaggerated, she found only 15% of men are regularly involved in housework.
16
Q
What do Warde and Hetherington argue about housework?
A
Domestic jobs are still sex typed, but young men have more involvement in housework
17
Q
what is evidence that the family is becoming more equal?
A
Emergence of new man, improved women’s rights, divorce reform
18
Q
what is the evidence that families are not becoming more equal?
A
British social attitudes survey, triple shift, Browne found women’s careers are suffering
19
Q
What are the patterns of domestic labour in same sex couples according to Dunne?
A
Lesbian couples are more symmetrical and there is an absence of gender roles.
20
Q
What is secularisation?
A
The decline of religious influence
21
Q
What is the material explanation for division of labour?
A
Women generally earn less than men, so it’s economically efficient for women to spend time doing housework, and men spent their time working for wages.
22
Q
What is the cultural explanation for the division of labour?
A
Women perform more domestic labour as society expects them to do so because of patriarchal norms
23
Q
What is the dark side of the family, and what elements make this up?
A
When family life causes harm and damage to its members, made up from domestic abuse, child abuse and elder abuse.
24
Q
What is domestic abuse?
A
Controlling or threatening behaviour between partners or family members
25
What is the average number of DV incidents before police are called?
35
26
How many women are killed a week by current or former partners?
2
27
What did Dobash and Dobash find?
That men were often set off by “triggers”, causing incidents of domestic violence
28
How does jealousy trigger domestic abuse?
Men may feel a loss of power and control, feeling their authority is being questioned
29
How does drunkenness trigger domestic abuse?
Alcohol can heighten emotion and cause a lack of rationality, so people are more likely to act violently
30
Why may women stay with violent husbands?
Financial support, fear, for children
31
What is the radical feminist explanation for domestic violence?
DV is caused by male dominance, through threats and fear. Males also dominate in the court system, so there is reluctance with conviction
32
Who came up with the materialist explanation for DV?
Wilkinson
33
What is the materialist explanation for DV?
Domestic violence is the result of stress caused by social inequalities like low income. Worries about these issues can cause conflict and tension
34
What issue did Cheal find with DV statistics?
Police are reluctant to investigate cases, as they think family is private
35
Who found that victims are unwilling to report DV to police?
Yearnshire
36
Describe the ‘modern family’?
Nuclear family, who traditionally take on the expressive and instrumental roles based on gender
37
Describe the ‘postmodern’ family?
Diverse family structure, who have more individualism and choice about family and relationships.
38
Who are the 3 main functionalists?
Murdock, Parsons, Durkheim
39
According to functionalists, how should roles be distributed in marriage?
Men should have instrumental role of working
Women should have expressive role of childcare and housework
40
According to functionalists, what family type is best suited to fulfilling needs?
Nuclear family
41
Who is the main theorist in the New Right?
Charles Murray
42
What family structure do the new right prefer and why?
Nuclear family, because it provides children with a male role model and prevents lone parent families.
43
What do the new right call the nuclear family?
The cornerstone of society
44
What do the new right think of conjugal roles?
They agree with segregated conjugal roles, where men and women have their own tasks based off gender.
45
What is the neoconventional family?
The neoconventional family is a family in which both spouses go to work rather than just the husband.
46
Who came up with the neo-conventional family?
Chester
47
How does Chester’s theory differ from the views of functionalists?
Chester says both spouses should contribute to housework and also do paid work, whereas functionalists argue women should do housework while men do paid work.
48
Who came up with the five types of family diversity?
The Rappoports
49
What are the 5 types of family diversity according to the Rapoports?
Cultural, Life Course Analysis, Organisational, Generational, Social Class
50
Explain cultural familiarity diversity? Examples?
Different cultural,religious and ethnic groups have different family structures, for example Asian families have a high proportion of extended families. African-Caribbean families have a high proportion of female lone parent families.
51
Describe the Life Course Analysis type of diversity?
Family move through a series of changes during their life.
52
Describe organisational diversity?
Family roles can be organised differently, for example roles can be segregated or joint conjugal.
53
Describe generational diversity?
Older an younger people have different attitudes and experiences which reflect the times they’ve lived in. For example, different views on divorce, same sex families, cohabitation.
54
What is social class diversity? Examples?
People have different attitudes based on their social class. In the working class, boys are raised to be manly and females do housework. In the middle class, there are organised activities and more parental involvement in children’s lives.
55
What are cause of family diversity?
Changes in law, changing attitudes, changing positions of women, secularisation, Globalisation and finances
56
What are features of postmodernism?
Rapid social changes, diversity, media consumption
57
What did Stacey find in the Silicon Valley?
Greater freedom has allowed women to break free from the patriarchy
Family is shaped to suit needs, ie the divorce extended family
58
Explain the trend in marriage rates?
Marriage rates are declining, and average age for marriage has increased
59
What are some reasons for changing patterns of marriage?
Secularisation, changing attitudes, reduced stigma, fear of divorce
60
What is cohabitation?
When an unmarried couple in a sexual relationship are living together.
61
What are some reasons for cohabitation increasing?
Secularisation, less stigma about premarital sex, less need for women to rely on marriage
62
What would the new right say about declining marriage rates?
Against- declining marriage rates mean less stable relationships so more single parent families exist which means children don’t have a male role model. This creates an underclass of single mothers.
63
What would feminists say about declining marriage rates?
For- declining marriage rates mean women are less likely to become legally trapped in abusive relationships.
64
What is LAT?
Living Apart Together- couples are in relationships, but live apart in their own homes.
65
What is the trend of LATs in the uk?
BSA shows half of all single people are LATs, 1/10 adults are LATs.
66
Why do couples choose to LAT?
-less formal relationships
-choosing own family structure
-previous bad experiences
67
What are some benefits of LAT compared to cohabitation?
-personal space
-individual responsibilities
-having own children
-own their own home
68
How have changes in the law caused increased divorce rates?
Divorce reform act has made divorce easier by widening the grounds for divorce and making it cheaper.
69
How have changing positions of women caused increased divorce rates?
Increased equality in the workplace means women have more financial independence, so are less reliant on men.
70
How has secularisation caused increases in divorce rates?
Less influence in the church means people feel less pressure to be married.
71
Who has highest divorce rates?
Men and women in their late 20s
72
Why are teenage marriages more likely to to end in divorce?
As people age, and become more mature they may change and no longer want to be together
73
Why are childless couples at a higher risk of divorce?
Nothing to force them to stay together, like the empty shell family
74
Why has the number of singletons increased?
Increasing divorce, rising individualisation, less stigma, women can afford to live alone
75
Who are most likely to live alone?
Men under 65
76
When was the same sex couples act introduced?
2013
77
When was the legalisation of homosexuality introduced?
1967
78
What’s a reconstituted family?
A family consisting of a couple, their children, and any children from previous relationships
79
What is the trend in reconstituted families?
Growing numbers of reconstituted families, 1/10 children live in a reconstituted family
80
How may reconstituted families affect childhood? Positive and negative
Conflict- children may not get along with stepparents or siblings, which can cause tension and conflict
More money- as lone parents join a reconstituted family, they are likely to have a dual income and more money to support family
81
Why are single parent families more likely to be headed by women?
Children are likely to stay with their mother due to the expressive stereotype role where mothers are responsible for childcare and emotional support.
82
How has improved contraception caused a rise in single parent families?
Fewer shotgun weddings mean there is less pressure to get married when you fall pregnant, so it’s easier to split up.
83
How have changing positions of women caused a rise in single parents?
Women are more likely to be in the workplace and be financially independent so leave relationships
84
How has secularisation caused an increase in loneliness parent families?
Decline of influence from the church means there is less stigma around premarital sex, so people are more likely to have children out of wedlock.
85
What is social policy?
A law or policy made by the government in order to achieve a goal.
86
What is the tax break for married couples policy?
If a couple were married, they had lower tax brackets if one member doesn’t work.
87
Who brought in the tax breaks for married couples?
Conservatives-2013
88
What was the impact of the tax breaks for married couples on the family size and structure?
-people could afford to have more children, so family size increased
-nuclear family promoted
-traditional roles encouraged, as one member doesn’t work
-cohabitation discouraged
89
Who supports the tax breaks for married couples policy?
New right, Functionalists
90
What is the child benefit policy of 1975?
Money paid to mothers for each child they had, £1 a week for the first child, and 1.50 for each subsequent child.
91
What was the impact of child benefit on family size?
Encourages parents to have more children as they have financial support and can afford them
92
What was the impact of child benefit on family structure?
Increase in lone parent families
93
What was the impact of child benefit on family roles/relationships?
Women don’t have to work as they have financial aid from the government, reduces the need for women to stay with abusive partners
94
Who would support the child benefit?
Feminists, because it encourages women to be independent and not rely on men.
95
Who would be against the child benefit policy?
Functionalist because it discourages the nuclear family
The New Right because it undermines the idea of self reliant family
96
What is the childcare policy of 2017?
Parents are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds, funded by the government.
97
What was the impact of the childcare policy on family size?
Increases family size as childcare can be afforded for more children
98
Was the impact of the childcare policy on family roles/relationships?
Women do less childcare so they can get jobs and earn wages rather than doing childcare.
99
What’s the parental leave policy?
States that fathers and mothers can take 26 weeks off work as long as one parent is working. Includes maternity paternity and adoption leave.
100
Who introduced parental leave and when?
The labour party in 2015
101
What impact did parental leave have on family size?
Encourages people to have more children
102
What impact does parental leave have on family roles/relationships?
Removes traditional gender roles – men can take on childcare/expressive role and women can take on an instrumental role
103
Who would support parental leave?
Functionalist because it encourages the nuclear family.
Feminist because women don’t have to take on childcare alone
104
What is the equality act of 2010?
Includes the equal pay act, sex discrimination act and many others. Aim to prevent gender and race discrimination.
105
What was the impact of anti-discrimination policies on family size?
Women are less slightly to have children as they feel supported to take on an instrumental role and be in the workplace, which leads to smaller families.
106
What’s the marriage act? when was it introduced?
The marriage act allows same-sex couples to get married on the same basis as men and women. Introduced in 2014.
107
What was the impact of the marriage act on family size and structure?
Same-sex couples are more likely to have children so families get bigger, promote same-sex families.
108
What was the divorce act?
Introduced in 1969 it made divorce cheaper and widened the grounds for a divorce, allowing divorce without reason.
109
When will the abortion and family planning acts introduced?
In 1976
110
What was the family planning Act?
It made contraception available through the NHS
111
What was the impact of abortion and contraception on family size?
Smaller families – choice if you want children or not
112
Who would support the abortion and contraception policies?
Feminists, post-modernists and the new right
113
What’s the state support for single mothers policy?
Provides benefits for mothers with children under 16
114
What was the impact of state support for single mothers on family structure?
Increase in lone parent families
115
Who would be against the state support for single mothers?
The new right – perverse incentives, people have children to gain benefits
Functionalists – against the nuclear family
116
When and why was China’s one child policy created?
In 1979, it was created to address the rapid population growth
117
What rewards were there for families who observe the one child rule?
High wages, better schooling, government assistance like loans and healthcare
118
What sanctions were there for families who did not observe the one child policy?
Fines, wage cuts, employment termination
119
Under what circumstances were family allowed to have a second child?
– If the first child was born with birth defects or health issues
-If both parents are only children
120
What was the aim of the conservative government (1979 to 1997) policies relating to the family and what policies did they introduce?
It was ran by Margaret Thatcher and John Major, had a preference for nuclear family and encourage stay at home mums. Introduced section 28 which meant no teaching of homosexuality. Introduce the child support agency which meant absent fathers pay maintenance.
121
What was the aim of the new labour (1997-2010) government and what policies did they introduce to achieve this aim?
Favours marriage and the traditional family, change deduction laws to give cohabiting couples the right to adopt including gay couples, benefits aren’t available to everyone
122
Who developed the idea of surveillance?
Foucault
123
What is the idea of surveillance?
It describes how the state can exercise social control over people through social institutions like the criminal justice system media and education encouraging people to conform to social norms.
124
How can of surveillance be applied to the family and who has control?
Families feel like they are watched by institutions like social services, governments and schools.
125
What did Donzelot think of family policies?
He sees family policies as a form of state power and control, thinking professionals carry out surveillance on families to control and change them.
126
Who does Donzelot think are more likely to be seen as problem families?
Poor families
127
Who applied the concept of surveillance to motherhood?
Henderson et al
128
How did Henderson say surveillance works in motherhood?
Mothers exercise surveillance over one another as they observe and judge other peoples parenting styles
129
What does Murdock say the functions of the family are?
- Economic: men do paid work while women do unpaid domestic labour
-Educational:family are responsible for primary socialisation and teaching norms and values
-Sexual: ensures sex remains between married couples, preventing homosexual or non monogamous relationships
- Reproductive: men and women biologically reproduce to produce the new generation so society continues
130
What does parsons say are the 2 essential functions of the family?
- Primary socialisation of children: teaching norms and values so children can be integrated into society
- Stabilisation of adult personalities: emotional security within a marriage, so working men can relax after work
131
What is the stabilisation of adult personalities also known as?
Warm bath theory
132
What would new right thinkers say about the nuclear family?
It’s the ‘bedrock’ of society.
133
What does Charles Murray say about single parent families?
He disapproves of them, as a lack of male role models leads boys into juvenile delinquency, and single mothers are unable to discipline their children
134
What reason does Charles Murray give for the underclass having children?
Perverse Incentives - people have children purely to benefit from government housing and benefits. Creates a dependency culture.
135
What do Marxists say about the family?
The family only exists to benefit the capitalist system and ruling bourgeoisie class.
136
Who came up with the ‘cushioning effect’ theory and what is it?
Marxist sociologist Zaretsky said that the family is a safe haven to allow working men to feel control and power. Maintains capitalism as workers are less likely to rebel against work, maintaining capitalism.
137
What did Marxist Althusser say about the family?
Family is an ideological state apparatus that controls the behaviour of working class. Socialises children into the concept of hierarchy.
138
How does promoting capital consumption serve the needs of capitalism?
False needs are created through pester power, people buy things to give a sense of social status. This makes profit for capitalist business owners.
139
What do feminists say the functions of the family is?
To maintain the patriarchy and oppress women.
140
141
What is birth rate and describe the trend and impacts in the UK?
Number of live births per 1000 people. The trend is a long term decline, which causes smaller families.
142
What’s the dependency ratio?
The proportion of people who are working, compared to those not working ie children and elderly.
143
Whats child centredness?
Society identifies children as special and unique, deserving of respect.
144
What’s the total fertility rate?
Number of children a woman will have during her childbearing years.
145
What are some reasons for the decline in birth and fertility rates?
Contraception improvements, increased education for women, child centredness, finances, deceased infant mortality.
146
What is he main trend in death rates within the uk?
Generally decreasing, but spiked in 2020 due to Covid.
147
What are some reasons for the decline in death rates?
Improved medical care, lifestyle changes/education, health and safety legislations, improved diet
148
How does a declining death rate impact the dependency ratio?
Causes a higher dependency ratio, as there are more elderly people who don’t work and are reliant on government benefits and pensions.
149
How does a declining death rate impact child centredness?
There is a lower infant mortality rate, so parents have less children and can invest more time and attention into the children they do have.
150
How does declining death rate put a strain on public services?
Elderly people are more likely to suffer from health problems, leading to long waiting lists for health services and doctor’s appointments. Also, pension demands are higher.
151
What are some advantages of an aging population?
Less crime- older people are more law abiding
Grey pound- older people have more disposable money
Childcare- grandparents are able to help with childcare, easing the dual burden on women
Changing view of elderly
152
What are some disadvantages of an aging population?
Rising taxes - higher pension demands result in higher taxes for population
Housing shortages - elderly people live in their homes for longer
Workload on women- women expected to care for elderly/ill relatives
153
How has migration affected population size in the uk?
Increase in population size, positive net migration
154
How has immigration affected the age structure of the UK population?
Immigrants are usually younger, and so more likely to have children. So, dependency ration is even. Elderly Uk itizens often emigrate to warmer countries like Spain.
155
How may emigration affect couples?
More LATs, birth rates drop.
156
What is globalisation?
The idea that countries and people around the world are becoming more interconnected and interdependent.
157
