family

Willmott and Young

- see family gradually improving for all family members, more equal/democratic.

- argue long term trend away from segregated conjugal roles and towards joint conjugal roles in the family.

- symmetrical family means similar however not identical:

- women now go to work, but could be part time more than full time.

- men help with housework and childcare.

- couples spend leisure time together.

- study of families in london, found symmetrical families more common around younger couples, geographically/socially isolated, and more affluent.

- see a rise in symmetrical families due to social change in past decades:

- changes in women's positions

- geographical mobility not staying in hometown

- new technology and labour saving devices

- higher standard of living

- many of these factors are interlinked.

Murdock (Functionalist)

4 functions ; Reproductive, Sexual, Socialising and Economic.

Family is universal and benefits both individuals and society.

Criticism of Murdock

feminists argue it's idealogical because traditional structure disadvantage women.

other institutions can perform these

Parsons (functionalist)

Lost functions due to structural differentiation.

Family now has 2 functions

- primary socialisation

- stabilisation of adult personality

expressive roles instrumental roles

Criticisms of Parsons

ignores dark side

family diversity in modern day

most women now work

one size fits all family type

changing expectations

feminists say that family benefits men and kids

Marxist Theory

used by r/c to press the w/c.

benefits capitalism

- family is unit of consumption, buy goods and services

- workers accept exploitation to provide for family

- family is safety valve. let off steam at home so they can be a good worker.

- reproduces next generation of workers

- parents promote suck it up mentality

- marriage created by rich to keep money close.

Evaluation of the Marxist approach.

+ ruling class still own/control structure

- majority of population is middle class harder to apply

communist societies have failed.

simplistic

based on nuclear family, more family diversity.

women now work

blames capitalism for the abuse of women, but ignore individuals responsibility

doesn't look at decline in marriage

secularisation

now have welfare state.

+ workers still tolerate exploitation

marriage still the norm

family still passes on values and is unit of consumption.

Feminist Theory

society is patriarchal. men use structures to control women and oppress them.

use structure to gain idealogical control.

women taught to accept inequality and that it is right and inevitable.

family is patriarchal and presses and exploits women.

majority of housework and childcare is done by the mother, men control finances and make the important decisions.

4 types of feminism

-Liberal

-Marxist

-Radical

-Difference

Evaluation of Feminism

+ still valid but society is becoming less patriarchal

- ignores more equal attitudes, conjugal roles.

assumes everyone gets married

some women like the domestic role

women can leave relationships.

Demography: birth rate

number of live births per 1000 of the population

Fertility rate

the average number of children a woman can have during her fertile years.

infant mortality rate

number of children who died before their first birthday per 1000 of the population.

Birth rate pattern

on average been declining however seen some peaks, i.e. baby boom post war.

reasons for change in position of women

- legal equality

- increase in educational opportunities

- more women working

- changes in attitudes to family life.

- easier to divorce

- access to abortion

Decline in infant mortality rate

- improved housing and sanitation

- beter nutrition

- better knowledge of hygiene and child health

- mass immunisation against childhood illness + diseases

- use of antibiotics

- improved midwifery

- less children as don't need to replace dead ones

children economic liability

children used to be able to work, but since 1870's they go to school.

require things like birthday presents and christmas, school clothing and materials.

Child centredness

childhood is socially constructed as important period in life. quality or quantity.

have less children and give attention love and energy to them.

Demography death rate

number of deaths per 1000 of the population each year.

decline in imr

- improved nutrition

- medical improvements

- environmental changes

- public health measures

- improved housing and sanitation

- social changes

migration

movement of people within and between countries

immigration

refers to people coming into the country

emigration

refers to people leaving the country.

net migration

refers to number of people leaving and staying in country. ideal would be 0 dynamic equilibrium.

migration trends

prior ww2: from Ireland to uk, for work

largest group: jews central and eastern europe, seeking refuge.

50's: black caribbean, wind rush, came from labour shortages. continued in 60's and 70's from south asian countries, and african nations.

modern day: job opportunities, flee from conflict.

push factors

can be: war, lack of jobs, unstable economy, political or legal problems