Families and Households

Which sociologist coined the term “warm bath theory”?

Talcott Parsons

What are some examples of ways in which childhood could be said to be toxic?

• junk food

• technology

• video games

• lack of parental engagement

Which sociologist argues that childhood is disappearing?

Neil Postman

What are some government policies since 1970 that have impacted the family?

• Children Act

• Civil Partnerships

• child support agency

• paternity leave

• Equal Pay Act

Which sociologist completed a study on housewives and housework?

Ann Oakley

What is the triple shift?

paid work, domestic labour & emotional support

What type of family has the mother in charge?

matrifocal family

Which perspective believes that the traditional family is disintegrating, leading to the collapse of society?

the New Right

What has been the general trend in births since 1900?

decline

What are some reasons for the rise in divorce rates?

• Divorce Reform Act

• secularisation

• less stigma

• rising expectations

What is a social norm?

an unwritten rule of behaviour

What is the definition of infant mortality rate?

the number of infant deaths under age one per 1,000 live births per year

What is the difference between an arranged marriage and a forced marriage?

arranged marriages involve choice, whereas forced marriages do not and are illegal

How often is the UK census completed?

every 10 years

What is migration?

movement from one country to another

What term is used to describe a family with multiple wives?

polygyny

What is a symmetrical family?

a family with equality in domestic labour and decision

What is the definition of the fertility rate?

the average number of children per woman aged 15–45

What is the expressive role?

emotional support and care

Which sociologist is associated with toxic childhood?

Sue Palmer

Which sociologist is associated with the cushioning effect?

Zaretsky

What does the term the “dark side of the family” refer to?

abuse & domestic violence

What are some reasons for the rise in cohabitation?

• secularisation

• less stigma

• women’s financial independence

Who are the two main functionalists who discuss the family?

• Parsons

• Murdock

According to Murdock, what are the four functions of the family?

• economic

• reproduction

• socialisation

• stabilisation of sex drive

What is the definition of the death rate?

deaths per 1,000 population per year

What are three types of feminism?

• liberal

• radical

• Marxist

What is the postmodernist view of the family?

families are chosen to suit individual needs

What is meant by joint conjugal roles?

• shared domestic labour

• shared leisure

What is the definition of the family?

a group bonded by blood or legal ties

What is the definition of the divorce rate?

divorces per 1,000 married couples per year

Which sociologist is associated with the negotiated family and individualisation theory?

Ulrich Beck

What has been the general trend in marriage over the past 50 years?

decline

What are some inequalities between children and adults?

• control over time

• control over space

• control over bodies

• control over resources

What are some reasons for the change in the position of children?

• compulsory schooling

• child protection laws

What is a pure relationship?

a relationship based on choice and love

What is one reason for the rise in the symmetrical family?

the changing role of women

What is age patriarchy?

adult dominance over children

Which sociologist believed that childhood is changing rather than disappearing?

Opie

Which sociologists are associated with the march of progress view?

Wilmott & Young

What is the difference between emigration and immigration?

emigration is leaving a country, immigration is entering a country

Who studied the historical differences in childhood?

Aries

What is the information hierarchy?

the literacy divide between adults and children

According to Pahl & Vogler, what are the two ways money is controlled in the family?

• pooling

• allowance

What is the dependency ratio?

the ratio of working to dependent population

What is meant by fictive kin?

friends treated as family

Who suggested that domestic violence is caused by patriarchy and male power?

Dobash & Dobash

What is the dual burden?

paid work & domestic labour

Which perspective sees rising divorce as giving people more choice?

Postmodernism

What is the instrumental role?

breadwinner and disciplinarian role

What is meant by a social construct?

a socially created and variable phenomenon

What are some reasons for the decline in the birth rate?

• contraception

• the changing role of women

Which sociologists are associated with the cultural explanation of the domestic division of labour?

• Gershuny

• Man Yee Kan

• Dunne

Who investigated the Tikopia tribe in relation to children?

Firth

What is one reason for the decline in the death rate?

medical improvements

What is meant by life expectancy?

average lifespan

What is net migration?

difference between immigration and emigration

Who argued against Postman that childhood was not disappearing?

Opie

According to Marxists, how does the family support capitalism?

• inheritance of wealth

• future workforce

What is one impact of an ageing population?

higher dependency ratio

Who is the main thinker associated with the New Right?

Charles Murray

What is meant by the sociological CAGE?

class, age, gender, ethnicity

What did Parsons mean by “functional fit”?

family structure adapts to society

What is a LAT relationship?

living apart together

What is an extended family?

family beyond the nuclear unit

What does patriarchy mean?

male dominance

Which type of household accounted for 11% of households in 2011?

single

What is an empty nest family?

when children have left home

In what four ways do adults control children?

• space

• time

• bodies

• resources

What is an endogamous marriage?

marriage within the same social group

What is a household?

people living together sharing resources

What is the difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker?

asylum seeker is awaiting decision, refugee has status

What are the four types of marital breakdown?

• divorce

• separation

• annulment

• empty shell

What is serial monogamy?

one exclusive relationship after another

What is meant by the sandwich generation?

caring for children and elderly parents

What is one way Postman suggests childhood is disappearing?

the breakdown of the information hierarchy

What term did Parsons use to describe institutions changing to meet societal needs?

structural differentiation

What do radical feminists mean by political lesbianism?

rejecting men to challenge patriarchy

What is confluent love?

a relationship based on satisfaction

What source did Aries use to investigate the historical relativity of childhood?

paintings

What are some reasons domestic violence is underreported?

• fear

• shame

• not recognising abuse

What term is used to describe a marriage with more than two partners?

polygamy

What is an ascribed status?

a status given at birth

What three reasons could a woman give for divorce before the Divorce Reform Act?

• abuse

• abandonment

• adultery

What is an extended family?

three or more generations living close together

What are three main causes of domestic violence?

• patriarchy

• jealousy

• control of resources