familes and household

What are social policies in relation to the family?

Laws or government actions that directly or indirectly affect families, e.g. marriage laws, childcare support, divorce law.

Name a policy that increased family diversity.

The Divorce Reform Act (1969) – made divorce easier, leading to more single-parent and reconstituted families.

How did the Equal Pay Act (1970) affect the family?

Encouraged more women into work, contributing to dual-earner households and changing gender roles.

What is the New Right view on family policies?

Critical of policies that undermine the nuclear family – prefer traditional, married, heterosexual families.

How do feminists view family policy?

They argue policies often reinforce patriarchy, even when appearing neutral (e.g. maternity leave vs paternity).

What are the main family types in the UK?

Nuclear, extended, lone-parent, reconstituted (stepfamilies), same-sex, boomerang families.

What is a reconstituted family?

A family formed after divorce/separation where one or both parents bring children from previous relationships.

What is the symmetrical family according to Young and Willmott?

A more equal family type where roles are shared between men and women – seen in working-class families.

What is the difference between nuclear and extended families?

Nuclear = two parents + children. Extended = includes other relatives (e.g., grandparents, aunts).

What is family structure?

The organisation and composition of a family unit, e.g. nuclear, extended, lone-parent.

What do postmodernists say about family structure?

There is no single dominant family type anymore – family life is diverse, fluid and based on choice.

What is family diversity?

The idea that there is a variety of family forms in society, rather than one dominant type.

What are reasons for increasing family diversity?

Secularisation, feminism, policy changes, individualism, more LGBTQ+ rights, more divorce.

How has secularisation influenced family diversity?

Weaker religious influence means more acceptance of cohabitation, divorce, and same-sex families.

How has feminism contributed to family diversity?

Women now prioritise careers, delay marriage/children, and reject traditional domestic roles.

What is demography?

The study of population trends like birth rate, death rate, fertility rate, migration and ageing.

What is the impact of an ageing population on family structure?

More multigenerational households, increased dependency ratio, and more care roles for middle-aged adults.

How does net migration affect family diversity?

Increases cultural diversity – brings in different family norms (e.g., extended family from South Asian communities).

How has the decline in birth rate changed families?

Smaller families are more common – more child-centred parenting and dual-earner households.

How are all these factors (policy, demography, etc.) linked to changing family structures?

They collectively shift norms and roles – leading to diverse, flexible family types instead of a dominant nuclear model.

What is the social construction of childhood?

The idea that what is considered "childhood" varies across cultures and historical periods.

How did Aries describe childhood in pre-industrial society?

He argued that in the Middle Ages, childhood did not exist as a separate stage – children were seen as ‘mini-adults’.

What does the ‘March of Progress’ view say about childhood?

It argues that childhood has improved over time – children are now more protected, valued, and educated.

What is the conflict view of childhood?

It challenges the March of Progress view, arguing that childhood is not equal – there are class, gender and ethnic inequalities.

How does child liberationism view modern childhood?

Childhood is oppressive – children lack power, autonomy, and are controlled by adults (e.g. surveillance, rules).

How has the role of the family changed regarding childhood?

Families have become more child-centred – more time, money, and emotional investment in children.

How has legislation affected childhood?

Laws like child labour bans, compulsory education, and welfare policies have extended and protected childhood.

What is 'toxic childhood' according to Sue Palmer?

Modern society (e.g. tech, consumerism) harms children's development – leading to issues like mental health problems.

How has technology impacted childhood?

It has blurred boundaries between adults and children – more access to adult content, less physical play, but also educational benefits.

How does postman argue childhood is disappearing?

Media and technology have broken down information barriers, making children more like adults.

How does Jenks (postmodernist) respond to Postman?

Childhood is not disappearing but changing – more surveillance and concern due to instability in society.

How do different cultures treat childhood?

In some non-Western societies, children take on work or responsibilities earlier and are seen as more mature.

How has child protection changed over time?

Increased safeguarding, child welfare systems, and awareness of abuse have strengthened children’s rights.

What is the functionalist view of the family?

The family performs essential functions for society such as socialisation, emotional support, and economic stability.

What are Murdock’s four functions of the family?

Sexual, reproductive, economic, and educational (socialisation).

What did Parsons say about the family in modern society?

The family performs two key functions: primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities.

What is the Marxist view of the family?

The family supports capitalism by passing on ideology, reproducing labour power, and being a unit of consumption.

What is Engels' view on the family?

The family emerged to control women's sexuality and ensure inheritance through legitimate heirs – it supports private property.

How does Zaretsky see the family?

The family provides emotional support that helps workers cope with capitalist exploitation.

What is the feminist view of the family?

The family is a key site of patriarchy – it reinforces gender roles and oppresses women.

What do liberal feminists say about the family?

Change is happening – they support legal and policy reforms to make families more equal.

What do radical feminists say about the family?

The family is inherently patriarchal – men benefit from women's unpaid labour and control over them.

What do Marxist feminists believe about the family?

The family helps capitalism by reproducing the next generation of workers and absorbing male anger.

What is the difference between structural and interpretivist theories of family?

Structural theories (e.g. functionalism) focus on family’s role in society; interpretivist approaches (e.g. personal life perspective) focus on individual experiences.

What is the personal life perspective (PLP)?

It argues that family should be understood through people’s meanings – not just structure, but also chosen and emotional ties.

What is meant by 'chosen families'?

Families made through choice (e.g., close friends, LGBTQ+ kinship groups), not just blood or marriage.

What do postmodernists say about the family?

There's no single family form – families are diverse, fluid, and based on individual choice.

What is the new right view of the family?

Supports the nuclear family and criticises alternatives – believes other forms cause social problems.