Family & Households Flashcards
(154 cards)
1
Q
What is the family?
A
Group of people who are related by kinship ties: relations of blood, marriage/civil partnership or adoption. One of the most important social institutions, found in nearly all known societies.
2
Q
What is a household?
A
Either one person living alone or a group of people who live at the same address and share living arrangements.
3
Q
What percentage of households were single person in 2014?
A
28% of households.
4
Q
What did Murdock (1949) state about the nuclear family?
A
Nuclear family is found in some form in every society.
5
Q
What is the role of the Nayar in South-west India?
A
No nuclear family. Women are free to have sexual relationships, so biological father is uncertain and mother’s brother is responsible for caring for mother and children.
6
Q
What are communes?
A
Emphasis on collective living rather than individual family unit. Adults and children all live and work together with children being the responsibility of the whole group.
7
Q
What is a Kibbutz?
A
Children are kept apart from natural parents and brought up by metapelets. Natural parents only see children for short periods each day.
8
Q
What are lone parent families?
A
Increasingly common in Western societies, usually headed by a woman.
9
Q
What are gay and lesbian families?
A
Same-sex couples becoming more common. Civil Partnership Act of 2004 gave legal recognition to same-sex couples, and same-sex marriage was legalized in 2014.
10
Q
What is foster care and children’s homes?
A
A considerable number of children are ‘looked after’ by local authorities and brought up by foster parents or in children’s homes.
11
Q
What is the functionalist perspective on family?
A
See family as a vital ‘organ’ in maintaining the ‘body’ of society.
12
Q
What are Murdock’s (1949) functions of the family?
A
Sexual, Reproduction, Socialisation, Economic.
13
Q
What are Parsons’ two functions of the family?
A
Primary socialisation of children and stabilisation of adult personalities.
14
Q
What is the privatised nuclear family?
A
Self-contained, self-reliant, and home-centred.
15
Q
What are six reasons for the decline in the extended family?
A
Need for geographical mobility, higher rate of social mobility, growth in people’s wealth and income, growth in meritocracy, need to avoid economic and status differences causing conflict, and need to protect family stability.
16
Q
What is structural differentiation?
A
Many functions of family transferred away from family.
17
Q
What are criticisms of the functionalist perspective?
A
Downplaying conflict, being out of date, ignoring exploitation of women, and the existence of modified extended families.
18
Q
What did Leach (1967) argue about the nuclear family?
A
Nuclear family has become so isolated from kin and wider community that it leads to emotional stress.
19
Q
What is the New Right perspective on family?
A
See nuclear family and kinship network as performing important functions in securing social stability.
20
Q
What are symptoms of the decline of the traditional family?
A
Rising lack of respect and anti-social behaviour among young, lack of discipline in schools, educational underachievement, alcohol and drug abuse, crime, and dependency on welfare benefits.
21
Q
What do Murray (1989, 1990) and Marsland (1989) argue about the welfare state?
A
They argue it undermines personal responsibility and encourages dependency culture.
22
Q
What is the Marxist perspective on family?
A
Nuclear family is concerned with social control and reproduces unequal relationships.
23
Q
What did Engels (1820-95) say about the monogamous nuclear family?
A
It developed as a means of passing on private property.
24
Q
What is the role of family according to Althusser (1971)?
A
Family is an ideological state apparatus, passing on the ideology of the ruling class.
25
What do feminist perspectives emphasize?
Harmful effects of family life upon women and the role of family in oppression of women.
26
What is liberal feminism?
Best way to improve the position of women is through reform measures within the present system.
27
What is radical feminism?
Focus on the problem of patriarchy in society and family as the main obstacle to women's equality.
28
What do Marxist feminists emphasize?
Women are doubly exploited both as workers in an exploitative capitalist system and as women.
29
What is individualization?
The process whereby traditional social relationships, roles, and beliefs lose their influence over the lives of individuals.
30
What is confluent love?
An active and conditional love involving the building of trust and emotional intimacy between two people.
31
What is a pure relationship?
One in which a couple choose to stay together because it meets their emotional and sexual needs.
32
What do divorce statistics indicate?
About one half of marriages today are likely to end in divorce.
33
What do Beck and Beck-Gernsheim (1995) suggest about family diversity?
They suggest that people are confronted by endless choices about what they should do and when they should do it, contributing to family diversity.
34
What is the likelihood of marriages ending in divorce today?
About one half of marriages today are likely to end in divorce.
35
How are divorce statistics presented?
Divorce statistics are presented in three main ways: total number of divorce petitions per year, total number of decrees absolute granted per year, and divorce rate.
36
What should divorce statistics be assessed against?
Changing legal, financial, and social circumstances.
37
What do divorce statistics not show?
They do not show those who are separated but not divorced or those living in 'empty shell' marriages.
38
What are some reasons for the increase in divorce rate?
Changes in law have made divorce cheaper and easier, and given men and women equal rights to divorce.
39
What acts contributed to the changes in divorce laws?
The Divorce Law Reform Act of 1969, The Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Acts of 1984, and The Family Law Act of 1996.
40
What are some variations of divorce between social groups?
Divorce rate is highest among those in their late 20s, teen marriages are twice as likely to end in divorce, and working class have a higher rate of divorce.
41
What is cohabitation?
As marriage rates decline, more couples are cohabiting rather than seeking official recognition.
42
How has the estimated number of people cohabiting changed between 1996 and 2012?
The estimated number of people cohabiting doubled.
43
What are different meanings of cohabitation for couples?
Cohabitation can be seen as a temporary arrangement, an alternative to marriage, or a preparation for marriage.
44
What are reasons for the growth in cohabitation?
The changing role of women, reduced functions of the family, changing social attitudes, growing secularization, rising divorce rate, and reducing risk.
45
What is LAT according to Levin (2004)?
LAT stands for Living Apart Together, where individuals are in long-term committed relationships but choose to live in separate households.
46
What do rising numbers of LAT relationships reflect?
They reflect changing concepts of family and definitions of family norms.
47
What are the three main reasons why people choose LATs?
Responsibility and care, practical reasons, and risk.
48
What is the impact of reproductive technology on lone parent families?
Reproductive technology allows women to bear children without a male partner.
49
What are some myths about lone parent families?
Not the presence of a father that is important, no difference in crime rates between family types, and the average age of a lone parent is often misrepresented.
50
What is the trend in remarriage and reconstituted families?
More divorced men remarry than divorced women, reflecting women's greater dissatisfaction with marriage.
51
What is the 'cereal packet family' stereotype?
It portrays the ideal family as a married couple with two children, which is misleading as family patterns are changing.
52
What is the classic extended family?
While the isolated nuclear family is more common, the classic extended family is still found in small communities and among certain ethnic groups.
53
What is the 'beanpole' family?
It refers to extended families with three or more generations due to Britain's ageing population and fewer children.
54
What characterizes Caribbean families according to Berthoud (2001)?
Family life is based on modern individualism, with low rates of marriage and high levels of lone parenthood.
55
What are some characteristics of South Asian families?
They tend to be larger, commonly patriarchal, and have low divorce rates due to strong social disapproval.
56
What does social class diversity indicate about family types?
Modified extended families are more common in the working class, while privatized nuclear families are more common in the middle class.
57
What is the trend in 'singlehood'?
There is a growth in younger people living alone, decline in marriage, and an increase in LAT relationships.
58
What did Heath (2004) find about young people's living patterns?
Young people are less likely to follow the traditional route of living at home, then settling down.
59
What is the 'new man' concept?
It describes a man who is more caring, sharing, and committed to housework and childcare.
60
What causes changes in domestic roles?
Improved living standards, decline of close-knit extended families, and increased rights of women.
61
What did Gershuny (1994) find regarding housework?
As wives moved into paid employment, they did less housework.
62
What criticism exists regarding equality in modern marriages?
Housework and childcare remain predominantly women's work, even when they have paid jobs.
63
What is the contribution of men to domestic work?
Men have increased their contribution to domestic work but primarily through masculine-defined tasks, while women still perform the bulk of caring activities and routine chores.
64
What did Silver (1987) and Schor (1992) find regarding housework?
They found that commercialization has alleviated some of the drudgery and time-consuming aspects of housework, making it easier for women to do a bit less.
65
What is a criticism of modern marriages and cohabiting relationships?
Housework and childcare remain predominantly women's work, and women still perform the majority of domestic tasks, even when they have paid jobs.
66
What did Knudsen and Wærness (2008) find in their comparative study?
In their study of 34 countries, they found no countries where men do more or as much housework as women, with women performing two thirds of all domestic work globally.
67
What did the European Social Survey (2010/11) reveal about women in full-time work?
Even women in full-time paid work and living with a male partner were responsible for around two thirds of total time on housework.
68
What did the 2008 British Social Attitudes Survey find about women's involvement in laundry?
80% of women with partners reported that they 'always or usually did the laundry.'
69
What did Vileda (2009) discover about British men's views on housework?
4 out of 10 British men still thought housework was a woman's job, with 1 in 5 men admitting they did no cleaning.
70
What percentage of women took responsibility for household food shopping according to the Food Standards Agency (2007)?
77% of women took all or most of the responsibility for household food shopping.
71
What do radical feminists believe about domestic labor?
Radical feminists see men as the main beneficiaries of domestic labor.
72
What is the Marxist feminist perspective on domestic labor?
Marxist feminists view domestic labor as benefitting capitalism, as unpaid domestic labor reproduces the labor force at no cost to capitalists.
73
What did Oakley (1974) find in Young and Willmott's study regarding men's help in the home?
72% of men claimed to help 'their partners in the home' in some way other than washing up at least once a week, but Oakley argued this is hardly convincing evidence for equality.
74
What did Boulton (1983) argue about surveys on men's childcare involvement?
Boulton argued that many surveys exaggerate how much childcare men really do.
75
What is emotional work according to Delphy and Leonard (1992)?
Emotional work involves maintaining bonds of affection, moral support, friendship, and love, providing family members with a sense of belonging.
76
What did Duncombe and Marsden (1995) find about long-term relationships?
They found that many long-term relationships are held together by women, and after separation or divorce, a third of fathers have little to no contact with their children.
77
What is the triple shift described by Ann Oakley?
The triple shift includes paid work, domestic labor, and childcare, along with emotional work.
78
What did Taylor-Gooby (2005) find about public attitudes towards gender equality?
While public attitudes assume a high degree of gender equality in paid work, this does not apply to home and family life.
79
What is the inequality in power and authority in contemporary families?
There is an unequal distribution of power and authority, with very few decisions taken by women alone.
80
What did Edgell (1980) find about women's decision-making responsibilities?
Edgell found that women had sole responsibility for decisions only in relatively unimportant areas like home decoration and furnishing.
81
What did Pahl (2005, 2008) find about couple's finances?
Pahl noted a growing individualization in couple's finances, where each partner has some independence in financial matters.
82
What are the consequences of inequality in family for women's careers?
Women's continuing responsibility for housework and childcare often means their careers suffer, leading to lower pay, less security in employment, and poorer promotion prospects.
83
How does the expectation of women to look after children affect their jobs?
Women are often limited in jobs and hours due to the expectation to care for children and be home when children leave for and return from school.
84
What is the impact of male prejudice on women in career jobs?
There is still significant male prejudice regarding women in career jobs and senior positions, with women who have children often seen as unreliable.
85
What are some barriers women face when returning to work after having children?
Women may have to temporarily leave jobs for children, miss out on pay and promotion opportunities, and face hidden discrimination upon return.
86
What did the Cumulative effects of inequality in family reveal?
They manifest in the 'darker side' of family life, challenging the functionalist and New Right view of a warm and supportive family.
87
What are some consequences of family conflict?
Family conflict may lead to violence, divorce, and psychological damage to children, potentially resulting in mental illness and crime.
88
What is the prevalence of domestic violence?
1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will suffer some form of domestic violence, with 89% of incidents committed by men against female partners.
89
Why do many women stay in violent relationships?
Many women do not leave violent partners due to fear, shame, financial insecurity, lack of alternative housing, and concerns about children's lives.
90
How do radical feminists explain domestic violence?
Radical feminists view domestic violence as a means for men to exercise patriarchal power and control over women.
91
What do Marxist feminists say about domestic violence?
Marxist feminists explain domestic violence as a result of social deprivation, a culture of violence, and the generally lower status of women.
92
What did Dobash and Dobash (1992) find regarding male violence against women?
They found that male violence against women in the family enforces and maintains women's subordinate role and unequal power.
93
What did Ganley and Schechter (1995) conclude about male violence?
They concluded that male violence, including sexual violence, against women results from women's inequality in society, with violence used to enforce and maintain this inequality.
94
How is childhood viewed in contemporary Britain?
Children are seen as innocent, vulnerable, and needing protection from the dangers of the adult world, with childhood viewed as a clear and separate phase of life.
95
What privileges do children in Britain today enjoy?
Children are protected by laws against exploitation, have access to special foods, clothes, toys, and leisure activities, and benefit from state arrangements like education and child benefits.
96
How do sociologists view childhood?
Sociologists argue that the identity and status of children and childhood as a separate phase of life have been created by society and social attitudes.
97
What evidence supports the idea that childhood is a social construction?
Evidence includes differing status, responsibilities, and treatment of children in various cultures, historical changes, and differences in experiences within the same society.
98
What are some cross-cultural differences in childhood?
There is a wide variety in the nature of childhood across the world, with many simpler societies having children take on adult roles as soon as they are physically able.
99
What did the International Labour Organisation find about child labor?
They suggest that 1 in 7 children worldwide work, with 215 million children aged 5-17 involved in child labor in Sub-Saharan Africa.
100
What did the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (2008) report?
They reported that from 2004-2007, child soldiers were involved in active conflict in 21 countries, with many being brutalized and killed.
101
What did the Hidden in Plain Sight report from UNICEF (2014) find?
It found that 1 in 10 girls worldwide experience serious sexual violence, with approximately 95,000 child murders occurring each year.
102
When did the notion of childhood develop in Western societies?
The notion of childhood is relatively modern, developing in Western societies around the 16th and 17th centuries.
103
What was the historical view of children in medieval times according to Philippe Ariès (1973)?
Ariès showed that children did not have a different status in medieval times and were seen as 'little adults' expected to take on adult responsibilities as soon as possible.
104
How did industrialization affect the social construction of childhood?
Industrialization led to restrictions on child labor, isolating children from adult work, and beginning to view them as innocent and vulnerable.
105
What inequalities exist among children in the same society?
Inequalities based on social class, ethnicity, and gender lead to different experiences, with poorer children more likely to suffer from ill-health and fewer educational qualifications.
106
How have families become more child-centered?
Families have become more child-centered, with more time spent on children's interests and parents treating children more equally.
107
What did Margo et al. (2006) find about the activities of richer parents?
Richer parents can afford to purchase beneficial activities for their children, while poorer children are more likely to spend time in less beneficial activities.
108
What are some reasons for a more child-centered society?
Reasons include reduced working hours for parents, increasing affluence, the power of social workers, and longer periods of dependency due to education.
109
What concerns exist about the position of children today?
While the status of children has improved, concerns remain regarding child trafficking, prostitution, and involvement in armed conflicts.
110
What legal controls exist for children?
Legal controls restrict what children can do, including marriage, driving, voting, and taking paid work, primarily to protect them.
111
What did Womack (2011) find about children's happiness in Britain?
Womack reported that Britain's children are among the unhappiest in the West, with family breakdown causing considerable childhood angst.
112
What are some issues faced by children growing up in the UK?
Children in the UK are more prone to bad physical and mental health, school failure, and exposure to risks from alcohol, drugs, and unsafe sex.
113
What did Margo find about children's time with adults?
Margo found that children spend less time with adults compared to similar countries, leading to feelings of neglect and lack of care.
114
What did Rees (2011) find regarding teenagers running away from home?
Rees found that approximately 9% of 14-16 year olds run away from home overnight at least once a year.
115
What are the types of child abuse?
Types of child abuse include sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.
116
What did the NSPCC (2011) report find about child maltreatment?
The report found that 1 in 5 children had been severely maltreated during childhood, with most abuse committed by a parent or guardian.
117
What did the Teen magazine Sugar (2005) find about teen girls and parental abuse?
The magazine found that 1 in 5 teen girls reported being hit by parents, with 1 in 4 experiencing this regularly.
118
What is sibling abuse?
Sibling abuse may involve emotional, physical, and sexually aggressive behavior, such as bullying and unwelcome touching.
119
What did Womack's Understanding Society (2010) reveal about sibling abuse?
31% of young people reported being hit, kicked, or pushed by a sibling 'a lot' or 'quite a lot.'
120
What concerns did Postman (1994) raise about childhood?
Postman expressed concern about the disappearance of childhood, with distinctions between adults and children becoming less clear.
121
What did the Primary Review (2007) find about children's concerns?
The review found that primary school children were concerned about issues like climate change, global warming, and terrorism.
122
What did the BBC News School Report (2011) find about children's concerns?
The report found that 11-16 year olds were most concerned about terrorism and climate change as threats to the world.
123
What does Cunningham (2005) argue about parental authority?
Cunningham argues that parental authority is undermined by children having money from pocket money or part-time work.
124
What issues are children increasingly exposed to?
Children are increasingly exposed to issues such as violence, crime, sex, climate change, global warming, pollution, the gulf between rich and poor, terrorism, and street violence.
## Footnote
Primary Review (2007)
125
What did the BBC News School Report (2011) find concerning 11-16 year olds?
The survey found that most 11-16 year olds were most concerned about terrorism and climate change as threats to the world.
## Footnote
BBC News School Report (2011)
126
How has parental authority been affected according to Cunningham (2005)?
Cunningham argues that parental authority is undermined by children having their own money from pocket money or part-time work.
127
What did the 2014 Annual Halifax Pocket Money Survey reveal?
The survey found that the average 8-15 year old received around £6.35 per week, while the average spending by children (7-15) was £12.50 per week in 2007-2008.
128
How does Margo describe children's access to advertising?
Margo states that children's access to advertising transforms them into consumers who demand entry to the adult world sooner.
129
What does Silva (1996) say about the role of parents?
Silva argues that the roles of parents may be diminishing due to the growing importance of peers, teachers, and media influences.
130
What concerns do parents have regarding technology?
Parents express concerns about having little control over mobile phones and the internet, through which children can access unsuitable or harmful material.
## Footnote
Primary Review
131
What is 'toxic childhood syndrome' according to Palmer (2007)?
Palmer describes 'toxic childhood syndrome' as a result of busy and stressed parents using technology and junk food to occupy children, depriving them of a proper childhood.
132
What did the BBC News School Report find about children's digital skills?
The report found that nearly 90% of 11-16 year olds had helped an adult in their family go online, and over 50% had assisted with finding websites and emailing.
133
What trend has been observed in the age of first sexual intercourse?
Over the last 50 years, the age of first sexual intercourse has fallen from 20 for men and 21 for women in the 1950s to 16 for both in the mid-1990s.
## Footnote
Margo
134
What are push factors in migration?
Push factors are those that encourage people to leave their home country, such as escaping poverty, unemployment, or war.
135
What are pull factors in migration?
Pull factors attract people to a different country, including higher standards of living, better healthcare and education, and joining relatives.
136
What were the main pull factors for the UK in 2013?
The main pull factors for the UK in 2013 were work-related and family reasons, including higher earnings and better job opportunities.
137
What impact has globalization had on immigration?
Globalization has led to more immigration from the EU and emigration to EU countries, with 38% of immigrants in 2014 coming from the EU.
138
What challenges exist with undocumented workers?
Undocumented workers often lack the skills or wealth to enter the country legally and are frequently exploited by employers and human traffickers.
139
What is the estimated number of illegal immigrants in the UK?
The Home Office estimates there are between 500,000 to 800,000 illegal immigrants in the UK, though it is difficult to measure accurately.
140
What was the number of asylum seekers in March 2014?
In March 2014, there were 24,000 asylum seekers, making up around 5% of immigrants.
141
What are some consequences of increased immigration?
Consequences include greater cultural diversity, changing family structures, and the growth of 'world families' and 'distant love'.
## Footnote
Beck and Beck Gernsheim (2014)
142
What does Chambers (2012) say about globalization?
Chambers states that globalization has led to more global family connections and an increase in the trade of surrogate mothers and mail-order brides.
143
What were the two peak periods of immigration in the 20th century?
The two peak periods were during the 1930s to 1945, when refugees fled Europe, and the 1950s to 1960s, when immigration was encouraged by the British government.
144
What were the net migration trends in the 2000s?
In the 2000s, net migration reached record peaks between 2004 and 2007, partly due to immigration from EU countries.
145
What are the three main impacts of migration on society?
The three main impacts are an increasing population size, a lower average age, and changes to the dependency ratio.
146
How do migrants contribute to public services?
Migrants contribute to the demand for services and are overrepresented in the workforces of health and social care.
147
What was the death rate in the UK in 1902 and 2012?
The death rate declined from 18 per 1000 in 1902 to 9 per 1000 in 2012.
148
What was the infant mortality rate in the UK in 1902 and 2012?
The infant mortality rate declined from 142 per 1000 live births in 1902 to 4.1 per 1000 in 2012.
149
What were the life expectancy figures for men and women in 2012-2013?
In 2012-2013, men were expected to live to 79 years, while women were expected to live to 83 years.
150
What are some explanations for the decline in death and infant mortality rates?
Explanations include improved hygiene, sanitation, medicine, higher living standards, public health and welfare, health education, and improved working conditions.
151
What are some consequences of an ageing population?
Consequences include increased purchasing power of older people, more social cohesion, less crime, and a growing burden of dependence.
152
What has been the trend in birth rate since 1900?
Since 1900, the birth rate in the UK has been declining from 29 per 1000 in 1901 to 13 per 1000 in 2012.
153
What has happened to the average family size over the past 100 years?
The average family size has decreased from 6 dependent children to 1.7 in 2012, and household size from 4.6 people to 2.4 in 2014.
154
What are some reasons for the decline in birth and fertility rates?
Reasons include contraception, compulsory education, rising costs of having children, changing positions of women, and declining infant mortality rates.
