A Level Sociology - Families and Households(AQA) Latest Exam With Solved Solutions.
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A-LEVEL SOCIOLOGY
Institution
A-LEVEL SOCIOLOGY
Murdock (1949) - Answer Argue that the family is universal in a nuclear family with a heterosexual couple and dependent children.
There is a clear division of labour between husband and wife - the husband is the breadwinner who earns for the family and the wife is the housewife who does domest...
A Level Sociology - Families and
Households(AQA) Latest Exam With
Solved Solutions.
Murdock (1949) - Answer Argue that the family is universal in a nuclear family with a heterosexual
couple and dependent children.
There is a clear division of labour between husband and wife - the husband is the breadwinner who
earns for the family and the wife is the housewife who does domestic labour and childcare.
He argue that there are 4 essential functions that the family performs.
Reproductive function - Answer Essential for the survival of society and without reproduction, it would
cease to exist
Sexual function - Answer This creates a powerful emotional bond between husband and wife which
encourage fidelity and commitment to family life. It contributes to stability within the family as it sets
out the moral rules.
Economic function - Answer provide economic things which are vital for sustaining children lives for
example, shelter, food and protection.
Parents take responsibility for their welfare by bringing home an income,
.
Educational function - Answer this is done through primary socialization which is necessary to fit into
society. This is by learning norms and values. Culture can be passed from generation to generation.
Criticisms of Murdock - Answer - the definition of family is a 'product of time' and is ethnocentric
(based on view on Western families).
- Interprevists argue that he is value-laden where he fails to acknowledge that families are the 'product
of culture'.
- also very dated and fails to take account of moderns social processes.
- largely correct that the family are the fundamental building blocks of society and most sees it as the
most important aspect.
,Parsons (1955) 'Irreducible Functions' theory - Answer Argue that in the past, the family was a 'multi-
functional' unit where it was the 'jack of all trades'. Now, there are only two 'irreducible functions that
the family performs: the primary socialization of children and the stablisation of adult personalities.
Parsons (1955) 'Functional-Fit' theory - Answer He also argue the type of society will depend on the
structure of the family. He argue that the nuclear family is 'functionally-fit' in modern industrial society
and the extended family is 'functionally-fit' in the pre-industrial traditional society. There are two reasons
behind this.
Geographical mobile workforce - Answer In the past, people stayed in the same places but in modern
society, as businesses and jobs move so does the family. This means that the nuclear family is much
easier as it is more small and compact.
Social mobile workforce - Answer Modern society is now achieved because of rapid technological
changes. This means a son can have a higher status than his father which results in tension and conflict.
The adult son would move out and start his own nuclear family.
Criticisms of Parsons - Answer - accused of idealizing the family.
- Fails to explore possible differences between different social classes and ethnic minority groups.
- His beliefs are 'basic and irreducible' which prevents him from examining alternatives.
- He sees socialisation as a one-way process.
- sees it as a distinct institution which is separated from aspects of social life.
The New Right perspective of the Family - Answer They argue that the growth of family diversity are
the main causes of family diversity and holds the view that there is only one 'correct type' of family - the
nuclear family. They believe that the introduction of the welfare state have led to a dependency culture.
Criticisms of the New Right - Answer - Exaggerates the decline of the nuclear family.
- Feminists argue that gender roles are socially constructed and argues against the argument of divorce
being bad.
- Most single parents are not welfare scroungers and that it is difficult to work.
- Chester argue that most children are in a nuclear family arrangement.
,Marxist perspective on the Family - Answer They argue that society are contributing towards capitalism
and maintaining class inequality. This includes the family
Inheritance of property - Answer Engels argue that in the primitive communison, there was no private
property and there was no restrictions on sexual relationship which was called a promiscuous horde. As
the capitalist system developed, father needed their legitimate heirs to pass down their wealth and their
private property which have created the monogamous nuclear family.
Ideological functions - Answer Argue that the family performs key ideological functions for capitalism.
- Does this by socializing children telling them that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable
- Zaretsky (1976) argue that the family performs ideological functions by providing an apparent from the
harsh and exploitative world of capitalism.
- Focused on how the family helped the capitalist economy where the proletariat having power and
control.
Unit of consumption - Answer Plays a major role into generating profit from bourgeoisie as it is an
important market for goods sales.
- Urges families to consume the latest products.
- The media targets children
- Must be mocked and stigmatized by peers for not having the latest product.
Benefits capitalism and profit not for society.
Marxist Feminists - Answer - sees the family as a major obstacle for female emancipation.
- argue that the family is patriarchal and the motion of equality is a myth.
- argue that domestic labour serves the capitalist and exploitative society.
- the obstacle to gender equality in employment as they are a reserve army of labour.
- argue that husband pays for production to upkeep the future labour.
- ANSLEY (1972) argue that emotional support acts as safety value. The frustration is absorbed by the
wife increasing domestic violence.
- COOPER (1972) argue the family is an ideological conditioning device.
, - FEELEY (1972) argue the structure of family relationship socializes children to be accepted in a class
based society.
Criticisms of Marxist Feminists - Answer - MORGAN argue that nuclear family are now becoming less
common.
- Ignores fact that women have made progress.
- Exaggerate harm caused to women and neglects effects of non-family relationships.
- Tends to portray as passive victims of capitalism and exploitation.
Liberal Feminists - Answer - Focuses on patriarchy and sees men as the problem of gender inequality.
- However, there have been improvements politically/legally and socially.
*this includes voting rights, legislations on sex discrimination and equality at work.
- They are not completely happy with the changes and believes that gentle persuasion convinces men.
- Sees no need for political and social revoluntary chances.
- Takes a march of progress view.
Criticisms of Liberal Feminists - Answer - There is evidence outlining that changes does have effects.
- Argue that there are different experiences showing that men are still not involved in childcare.
- Still earns around 70% of men's earning and those working shorter/part-time are likely to be
housewives.
Radical feminists - Answer - emphasizes way that the family is a patriarchal institution
- argue that men dominate women via violence and threat and believes that women must live
independently building an alternative society.
- Criticises the liberal feminists for not being proactive and argues that LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS are the
solutions out of the patriarchal society.
- DELPHY AND LEONARD (1992) believe that women provide unpaid services being a sexual partner.
*reinforces women to not resist husbands but is difficult.
CRITICISMS:
- Provides unrepresentative sample
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