Sociology A-level : Families and Households

Functionalist

Parsons' functional fit theory states that the nuclear family is most well-suited to modern society as it is socially and geographically mobile.

Parsons' structural differentiation

The state is increasingly taking on roles previously done by the family, e.g., healthcare provided by NHS.

Murdock's 4 Functions of the Family

Socialisation, Economic, Reproduction, Sexual regulation.

Socialisation

Primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities (Parsons' warm bath theory).

Economic function of the family

Expressive and instrumental roles keep the family financially stable and properly socialised.

Reproduction

The family produces and socialises the next generation.

Sexual regulation

Monogamous marriage provides satisfaction of the adult sex drive which prevents further deviance, e.g., prostitution.

New Right perspective

The nuclear family is the only family which can properly socialise its members; other types create dysfunction and delinquency.

Welfare state

Families should not receive support from the welfare state as this creates an underclass who are welfare dependent.

Child Support Agency (1993)

Influenced by the New Right to incentivise nuclear families to stay together.

Engels' view on family

The monogamous nuclear family only emerged with capitalism; before then, traditional societies practised a form of 'primitive communism'.

Ideological state apparatus

The family transmits dominant capitalist ideas, teaching individuals to obey their superiors.

Zaretsky's view

The family is a unit of consumption; many products are marketed at them.

Pester power

Children use 'pester power' to convince their parents to buy toys.

Bourgeoisie inheritance

Monogamous marriage allows for the clear inheritance of wealth, keeping bourgeoisie families wealthy.

Patriarchal gender roles

The family socialises individuals into patriarchal gender roles.

Breadwinner/caregiver role

Concept oppresses women as they are required to complete unpaid labour which is low status and no pay.

Radical feminist (Greer)

All men benefit from patriarchy; all heterosexual relationships are oppressive.

Separatism

Greer advocates for women to live apart from men in same-sex relationships (political lesbianism).

Liberal feminist (Oakley)

Gender equality can be achieved through gradual reforms to the law, e.g., Equal Pay Act (1975).

Marxist feminist (Ansley)

Women reproduce the proletariat labour force and absorb male anger directed at the bourgeoisie.

Postmodernist view (Stacey)

There is more choice and freedom in family structure, particularly for women.

Structural consensus theory

The family is a key institution that works with other institutions to maintain order and consensus in society.

Negative impact of non-nuclear families

The nuclear family is the only family type which can correctly socialise its members.

Welfare dependency

The welfare state causes welfare dependency.

Capitalist ideology

The belief system that supports capitalism and class inequality in society.

Structural conflict theory

A theory that examines the role of social structures in perpetuating inequality.

Welfare state

A government system that provides social security and welfare to its citizens.

Patriarchal ideology

A belief system that supports male dominance and gender inequality in society.

Child Support Agency

An organization established to ensure that non-custodial parents contribute financially to their children's upbringing.

Reconstituted families

Families formed when parents divorce and remarry, creating connections through divorce rather than marriage.

Life course analysis

A method of studying individual choices and life events over time.

Individualisation thesis

The idea that individuals form relationships based on personal needs and emotional fulfillment.

Pure relationships

Relationships that are formed based on mutual respect and meet individual emotional and sexual needs.

Inheritance of wealth

The transfer of assets from one generation to another, which can perpetuate social inequality.

Dark side of the family

The negative aspects of family life, such as domestic violence and oppression.

Pay gap

The difference in earnings between men and women, with women earning 83p for every £1 earned by a man.

Negotiated families

Families that do not conform to traditional norms and vary according to the wishes of their members.

Risk consciousness

An awareness of potential problems in relationships, leading to increased caution.

Fictive kin

Close friends treated as relatives, such as a best friend referred to as 'auntie'.

Chosen families

Supportive networks of close friends and ex-partners who are not related by blood or marriage.

Personal Life perspective

An approach that emphasizes individual definitions and experiences of family.

Micro theory

A theoretical approach that focuses on individual and small group interactions.

Flexibility and choice

The ability for individuals to make personal decisions about their lives and relationships.

Traditional patriarchal marriages

Marriages based on traditional gender roles, often favoring male authority.

Family types

Different configurations of family structures that have evolved over time.

Socialization

The process by which individuals learn and internalize the values and norms of their society.

Extended families

Family structures that include additional relatives beyond the nuclear family.

Welfare State

Established in 1942 following the Beveridge report, it includes benefits, pensions, NHS, and council housing.

Legalisation of birth control pill

Implemented in 1961/74, allowing women more control over reproduction.

Abortion Act 1967

Legalized abortion in the UK, impacting women's reproductive rights.

Divorce Reform Act 1969

Legislation that made it easier for couples to divorce.

Equal Pay Act 1970

Legislation aimed at eliminating gender pay disparity.

Sex Discrimination Act

Legislation that prohibits discrimination based on sex.

Child Support Agency 1993

Agency established to ensure financial support for children from non-custodial parents.

Gay Marriage legalised 2013

Legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the UK.

Structural differentiation

The process where the state took over roles previously performed by the family.

Infant mortality rates

Reduced rates of infant deaths due to improved healthcare access.

Fletcher (functionalist)

Argues that the NHS helps families take better care of their members.

Murray (New Right)

Believes the welfare state creates dependency on welfare.

Donzelot (postmodernist)

Suggests that professionals conduct surveillance of families for the state.

Althusser (Marxist)

Views the welfare state as part of the ideological state apparatus supporting the proletariat.

Liberal feminists

Claim social policy has seen a 'march of progress' towards gender equality.

Leonard (feminist)

Argues that policies still reinforce patriarchy, such as maternity leave.

Almond (New Right)

Believes policies like divorce and gay marriage undermine lifelong commitment.

Family Diversity

Refers to the increasing variety of family structures in society.

2011 Census

Data showing that 24% of black families are lone parent families, compared to 10% of white families.

Bangladeshi and Pakistani family size

On average, three children per family, higher than other groups.

Ballard

Notes that large extended families provided support for Asian migrants in the 50s/60s.

South-Asian family life

Characterized by control of women, collectivism, and maintaining family honor.

South-Asian family life in the UK

Based on control of women, collectivist values, and maintaining family honour.

Black women as lone parents

More likely to be lone parents as they value female independence.

Reynolds' view on Black lone parents

Many are in stable, supportive but non-cohabiting relationships.

Functionalists and New Right perspective

Dislike lone parent families; believe nuclear monogamous marriage is the best family type.

Parsons' view on nuclear family

Believes it is uniquely suited to meeting the needs of modern society.

Decline in first marriages

Decreased from 480,000 in 1972 to 306,000 in 2000.

Increase in remarriages

Increased from 57,000 in 1961 to 126,000 (46% of all marriages) in 2000.

Average age of first marriage

Rose by seven years between 1971 and 2005; 32 years for men and 30 for women.

Total families in 2016

There were a total of 18.9 million families in the UK.

Increase in cohabitation

More than doubled since 1996 from 1.5 million to 3.3 million in 2016.

Divorce statistics

The number of divorces doubled between 1961 and 1969, and doubled again by 1972.

Peak of divorces

Peaked in 1993 at 180,000, then stood at 157,000 in 2001.

Divorce rate

40% of all marriages will end in divorce.

Divorce petitions from women

About 70% of petitions now come from women; in 1946, only 37% came from women.

Secularisation in marriage

In the 2001 census, 3% of young people with no religion were married compared to 17% of those with a religion.

Decline in stigma around marriage

In 1989, 70% believed couples wanting children should marry; by 2012, only 42% thought so.

Equal Pay Act impact

Many women are financially independent from men due to better education and career prospects.

Cohabitation as trial marriage

75% of cohabiting couples expect to marry each other.

Cohabitation as permanent alternative

Many couples see cohabitation as a permanent alternative to marriage.

Bejin's view on cohabitation

Represents a conscious attempt to create a more personally negotiated and equal relationship.

Housework among cohabiting women

Women who cohabit do less housework than their married counterparts.

Decline in stigma attached to premarital sex

In 1989, 44% agreed premarital sex is not wrong; by 2000, 62% took this view.

Cohabitation and age

88% of 18-24 year olds think it's alright to live together without marrying; only 40% of those over 65 agree.

1969 Divorce Reform Act

Made it possible to cite 'irretrievable breakdown' as the sole grounds for getting a divorce.

Mitchell and Goody's view on divorce

There has been a rapid decline in the stigma attached to divorce.

Fletcher's view on marriage expectations

Higher expectations people place on marriage today are a major cause of rising divorce rates.

Hochschild's findings

Women felt more valued at work than at home, leading to frustration with traditional roles.

Sigle-Rushton's findings

Divorce was less likely when mothers stayed at home and had a traditional division of labour.

Beck and Giddens

In today's society, traditional norms like the duty to stay with the same person for life lose their hold over individuals.

Postmodernists

Migration has increased family diversity.