sociology year 12 mock mess

family & household stuff and education

DCSF (2007)

attributes the gender gap to mostly boys' poorer literacy and language skills

Playing For Success Program

uses football and other sports to boost learning skills and motivation among boys

Sewell (2006)

argues that boys have fallen behind as education has become ‘feminised’

Osler (2006)

argues that the focus on underachieving boys has led to a neglect of girls

Ringrose (2013)

argues that the moral panic of feminist critics arguing that girls have it all has caused a marked shift in educational policy.

Francis (2006)

found that 2/3 of 7-8 year old boys believed gender of teachers is irrelevant

Haase (2008)

echoes Read’s conclusion and argues that the structure itself is masculined

Francis (2001)

found that boys were more concerned than girls about peer labelling and argues subcultures are the issues

supports epstein (1998)

Byrne (1979)

argues that teachers encourage boys to be tough and not be weak, whereas girls are expected to be quiet and tidy

Golding et al (2025)

found that boys have done better in maths and science since 2019

Murdock (1949) - approved

the family is a group of people who

1) live in the same house

2) includes adults of both sexes

3) at least two of whom have to have a socially approved sexual relationship

4) have one one or more children, own or adopted

Giddens (1993)

suggests it is only possible to talk of relationships as universal

Smart (2007)

argues that gay and lesbian couples are able to create their own 'chosen families' with fictive kin based on bonds

Family Planning Act (1967)

legalised the contraceptive pill for unmarried women.

Delphy & Leonard (1992)

Family is a reflection of patriarchy in society and aids in gender role socialisation.

Men benefit from unpaid domestic labour and sexual services.

Men dominate women through violence and/or threat of it.

built on through Dunscombe & Marsden (1995) concept of triple shift

Somerville (2000)

Many feminists have failed to acknowledge progress for women such as the greater freedom to go into paid work, get married, etc

Oakley (1974)

found that only 15% of husbands had a high level of participation in housework

Ansley (1972)

emotional support provided by women to men is a “safety valve” for the frustrations of them working in a capitalist system

wives play the role as “takers of shit”

Parsons (1951) - women

warm bath theory + women in nuclear family are “essential for society”

Parsons (1951) - needed

primary socialisation is needed to maintain the value consensus.

Parsons (1951) - controlled

nuclear family ensures that adult sexual relationships are controlled, socially acceptable, stable, monogamous and heterosexual in nature.

Murdoch (1949)

the nuclear family is designed to meet its members' economic needs, producing food and shelter for example.