Family and households Flashcards
(93 cards)
1
Q
What is a family?
A
A group of people who are related by kinship ties: relations of blood, marriage/civil partnership or adoption.
2
Q
What is a household?
A
One person living alone or a group of people who live at the same address and share living arrangements.
3
Q
What types of family structures exist?
A
- Lone parent
- Extended
- Nuclear
- Same-sex couples
- Patriarchal
- Symmetrical
- Reconstructed (step/blended) families
4
Q
What is the functionalist perspective on the family?
A
A view that sees the nuclear family as beneficial, contributing to social stability and providing emotional support.
5
Q
What are the two essential functions of the family according to Parsons?
A
- Primary socialisation of children
- Stabilisation of human personalities
6
Q
What is structural differentiation?
A
The process where functions of the family have been transferred to other specialised institutions.
7
Q
What does the New Right perspective support?
A
Traditional family values and the heterosexual nuclear family.
8
Q
What is a criticism of the functionalist perspective?
A
It downplays conflict and ignores issues like domestic violence and child abuse.
9
Q
What do Marxists believe about the family?
A
The family serves the needs of a capitalist society, reproducing and maintaining a workforce.
10
Q
What do liberal feminists advocate for?
A
Reform measures to enable women to make free choices between motherhood and career.
11
Q
What is the view of radical feminists on the family?
A
They see it as a patriarchal institution that reproduces inequality and benefits men.
12
Q
What do postmodernists argue about sociological theories?
A
They are metanarratives that can no longer explain the diversity of personal relationships.
13
Q
What is social policy?
A
Plans and actions by government to solve social problems or achieve other goals.
14
Q
What are the two main types of social policies aimed at families?
A
- Direct material support for families
- Policies to help parents balance employment and family life
15
Q
What is the divorce rate trend in the UK?
A
About half of new marriages today are likely to end in divorce.
16
Q
What changes in the law have affected divorce rates?
A
Easier and cheaper divorce processes, no need to prove fault after 1969.
17
Q
What societal changes have made divorce more acceptable?
A
- Growing equality of women
- Rising expectations of marriage
- Less social stigma
18
Q
What is one reason for the increase in divorce rates?
A
Women are less willing to accept the traditional patriarchal nature of marriage.
19
Q
Fill in the blank: The family is seen as a _______ for capitalism in Marxism.
A
[source of workforce]
20
Q
What are some criticisms of the feminist perspective?
A
- Women’s roles aren’t the same in all families
- Many women now work in paid employment
- Women initiate divorce
21
Q
What do Marxist feminists believe about women’s roles?
A
Women are doubly exploited both as workers and as women in a patriarchal society.
22
Q
What is the significance of individualism in postmodern society?
A
People prioritize self-interest and personal fulfillment over traditional family roles.
23
Q
What is one impact of increasing life expectancy on marriage?
A
Marriages have more time to break down before one partner dies.
24
Q
True or False: The family is viewed as a harmonious institution by all sociological perspectives.
A
False
25
What social change has reduced the stigma associated with divorce?
Divorce no longer creates a public sense of scandal and outrage
## Footnote
Lone parenthood, cohabitation, and stepfamilies are now widely accepted.
26
How has increasing life expectancy affected marriage?
Marriages have more time to break down before one partner dies.
27
What do functionalists like Parsons argue about family functions?
Traditional family functions have transferred to other social institutions such as the NHS and the welfare state.
28
What trend has been observed in marriage rates in England and Wales over the last 50 years?
The marriage rate has declined by around two-thirds.
29
What does cohabitation represent in contemporary society?
Cohabitation is rapidly becoming the norm rather than the expectation.
30
What are the three meanings of cohabitation?
* Informal arrangement
* Alternative to marriage
* Trial marriage
31
What has contributed to the changing role of women in relationships?
Economic independence and rejection of patriarchal features.
32
What is meant by 'risk society' as described by Beck?
Individuals face increased risks and uncertainty, leading to avoidance of long-term commitments.
33
What is a significant characteristic of stepfamilies?
Stepfamilies account for around 11% of all families with dependent children.
34
What are living apart together relationships (LATs)?
Couples who choose to live in separate households despite being in a long-term relationship.
35
What are three reasons why people choose LATs?
* Existing responsibilities
* Practical reasons
* Risk avoidance
36
What has been the trend in childbearing over the last hundred years?
Families are getting smaller, and women are having fewer children.
37
What percentage of births in England and Wales occur outside marriage?
Nearly half of all births.
38
What has caused the growth of lone parent families in Britain?
Greater economic independence of women and changing social attitudes.
39
What is the New Right's view on lone parenthood?
It sees lone parenthood as a sign of the decline of conventional family life.
40
How do feminists critique the New Right's view on lone parents?
They argue it is a patriarchal attempt to force women back into traditional roles.
41
What do late modernists and postmodernists argue about family diversity?
There is growing individualism and uncertainty, leading to more diverse family structures.
42
What are some forms of family diversity?
* Cultural diversity
* Social class diversity
* Regional diversity
43
What is the sociology of personal life's main focus?
The meanings people give to their intimate experiences and relationships.
44
What does the individualisation thesis suggest?
Traditional rules governing personal relationships have weakened, giving individuals more choice.
45
What is 'confluent love' as described in the text?
Intimate relationships based on personal trust and emotional needs, rather than practical necessity.
46
What do critics of the individualisation thesis argue?
They argue that social factors like class, gender, and ethnicity still influence personal lives.
47
What does the domestic division of labour refer to?
The division of roles and responsibilities between men and women within households.
48
What is the concept of the 'symmetrical family'?
A family structure where both partners share breadwinning roles and household responsibilities.
49
What factors have contributed to the change from segregated to integrated conjugal roles?
* Improved living standards
* Decline of the extended family
* Improved status of women
50
What do feminists argue about the current domestic division of labour?
Many families remain patriarchal, and there is not much evidence of equality.
51
What can vary by social class in terms of domestic roles?
Domestic division of labour
## Footnote
The division of tasks and responsibilities within the household can be influenced by the social class of the family.
52
How do postmodernists view gender identities in couples?
Couples are free to pick n mix roles and identities based on personal choice
## Footnote
This perspective suggests that traditional masculine and feminine roles are less constraining.
53
What do feminists reject about the family structure?
The view that the family is now typically symmetrical
## Footnote
Feminists argue that many families remain patriarchal and do not show significant evidence of equality.
54
What evidence shows women perform the majority of domestic tasks?
Multiple surveys, including Time Use surveys and the European Social Survey
## Footnote
These surveys indicate that women still take on most household and childcare responsibilities.
55
What percentage of household and childcare tasks do women in full-time work typically handle?
Around two thirds
## Footnote
This statistic highlights the ongoing imbalance in domestic responsibilities even among working couples.
56
What is the 'triple shift' as argued by Duncombe and Marsden?
The emotional work of keeping relationships alive, supporting children, and mediating family issues
## Footnote
This concept emphasizes the additional emotional labor women often undertake beyond paid work.
57
Who do radical feminists believe benefits from domestic labour?
Men
## Footnote
They argue that the inequalities in domestic work are tied to patriarchal structures.
58
According to Edgell, who has the final say in important decisions within professional couples?
Men are more likely than women to have the final say
## Footnote
This finding reflects ongoing gender inequalities in decision-making.
59
What is the relationship between men's earnings and decision-making power?
Men earn around 15% more than women, which gives them more power
## Footnote
Economic power influences decision-making dynamics in households.
60
What is a significant issue with reporting domestic violence?
Only about a quarter of all serious domestic violence incidents are reported to the police
## Footnote
This statistic indicates a lack of awareness and response to domestic violence.
61
How do feminists explain domestic violence?
As a means for men to control and intimidate women
## Footnote
This perspective views violence as a tool for reinforcing patriarchal power.
62
What do sociologists mean by the social construction of childhood?
Childhood is a category created by social structure and culture
## Footnote
This concept emphasizes that childhood experiences vary across cultures and time.
63
What historical change contributed to the modern idea of childhood?
Industrialisation led to the emergence of childhood as a distinct phase
## Footnote
The shift away from child labor and the introduction of compulsory education were key factors.
64
What inequalities exist among children within the same society?
Based on social class, gender, and ethnicity
## Footnote
These factors can significantly impact a child's experiences and opportunities.
65
What societal changes have made childhood more privileged in contemporary Britain?
* Smaller families
* Shorter working hours
* Higher standards of living
* The welfare state
* Child rights and protection laws
* Increased education opportunities
## Footnote
These changes have contributed to a more child-centered society.
66
What do functionalist theorists believe about the position of children?
Children's lives have improved dramatically compared to earlier centuries
## Footnote
They argue for progress in education, health, and legal protections.
67
What do Marxist and feminist theorists emphasize regarding children?
Power inequalities and conflicts that children face
## Footnote
They highlight the vulnerabilities and lack of independence experienced by children.
68
What is Postman's argument about childhood?
The distinction between adults and children is disappearing
## Footnote
Postman suggests that children are increasingly exposed to adult experiences.
69
What factors contribute to the decline in birth rates since 1900?
* Changing position and attitudes of women
* Economic considerations
* Access to contraception
* Increased education
## Footnote
These factors have led to women choosing to have fewer children.
70
What does 'demography' refer to?
The study of human populations
## Footnote
Demography is crucial for government planning and policy-making.
71
What are the four main factors influencing a country's population size?
* Births
* Deaths
* Immigration
* Emigration
## Footnote
These factors collectively determine population changes.
72
What has primarily driven population growth in the UK since 1900?
Natural increases, with more births than deaths
## Footnote
Improved life expectancy has also contributed to this growth.
73
What factor contributed to the decline in birth rates and fertility rates in the 2000s?
Mothers delayed having children until they were older and immigration of women of childbearing age from Eastern and Central Europe
## Footnote
This shift has led to a decrease in average family and household sizes since 1900.
74
What is one reason for the decline in the birth rate?
The changing position and attitudes of women
## Footnote
Many women wish to pursue careers rather than bear and rear children.
75
What role has contraception played in declining birth rates?
Contraception has become more effective, safer, and cheaper
## Footnote
The availability of safe and legal abortion since 1967 also aids in terminating unwanted pregnancies.
76
How have children shifted in their economic status since the 19th century?
Children have become an economic liability
## Footnote
They are no longer seen as an asset contributing to family income due to compulsory education.
77
What societal change has contributed to smaller family sizes?
The move to a more child-centred society
## Footnote
Smaller families allow parents to spend more time and money on each other.
78
What has contributed to the decline in the infant mortality rate?
The decline in the infant mortality rate has made it less necessary for parents to have many children for security
## Footnote
This is due to fewer children dying before adulthood.
79
What is one consequence of a falling birth rate?
More women go out to work, leading to dual income families
## Footnote
This often results in more symmetrical family structures.
80
How has the death rate changed from 1902 to 2014?
The death rate declined from 16 per 1000 in 1902 to 8.7 per 1000 in 2014
## Footnote
This indicates significant improvements in health and longevity.
81
What has contributed to increased life expectancy in the UK?
Improved hygiene and sanitation, advances in medicine, and higher living standards
## Footnote
These factors have helped eliminate many past epidemic diseases.
82
What are the three main reasons for the ageing population in the UK?
* Lower death rate and increased life expectancy
* Lower infant mortality rate
* Lower fertility rate
83
What is one positive effect of an ageing population?
Active ageing, where many older people are healthier and more independent
## Footnote
They can enjoy a long gap between retirement and dependency.
84
What economic contribution do older people make?
Older people contribute to the economy through their purchasing power and skills
## Footnote
The grey pound significantly affects leisure and culture industries.
85
What is the 'pensions timebomb'?
A growing burden of dependence due to an increasing proportion of elderly people
## Footnote
This results in a higher dependency ratio and potential higher taxes for the working population.
86
What are push factors in migration?
* Escaping poverty
* Famine
* Wars
* Unemployment
* Political and religious persecution
87
What are pull factors in migration?
* Better job opportunities
* Higher wages
* Higher standard of living
* Better healthcare and education
* More political and religious freedom
88
What was a significant period of immigration to the UK during the 20th century?
The 1950s-1970s saw widespread immigration from former British colonies
## Footnote
This transformed Britain into a more ethnically diverse country.
89
What effect did EU immigration have on the UK economy?
Migrant workers take on jobs unwanted by British workers and contribute to the economy
## Footnote
They help fill labor shortages in various industries.
90
What is a consequence of an ageing population regarding family dynamics?
More pensioner one-person households can lead to isolation and loneliness
## Footnote
This particularly affects women who tend to live longer.
91
What is the impact of undocumented workers in the UK?
Undocumented workers are often exploited and contribute to the economy despite their illegal status
## Footnote
They are often pushed by poverty and lack of opportunities in their home countries.
92
What are hybrid identities?
Identities that fuse more than one culture
## Footnote
Migrants increasingly adopt hybrid identities as they integrate into new cultures.
93
What has increased the cultural diversity in the UK?
Migration has led to greater cultural diversity
## Footnote
Different cultures and ways of life come into contact, influencing society.
