Home Economics Support Service
Teacher Notes
School Visits
January – May 2004
3. SOCIAL STUDIES
Lesson Outlines
3.1 The family in society
Topic
Lesson 1
1 class
period
Lesson 2
Content (material designated higher level
only in italics)
Methodology/Resources
3.1.2
Defining the
family
The universality of the concept of family
Definitions of “the family”
Class discussion on family
variations. Then ask each group
to formulate a definition of the
family with reference to the
variations discussed.
3.1.3
Family structures
The historical development of the family in
Ireland from the beginning of the 20th
century to the present day
Ask each student to conduct an
interview with a
family/community member to
ascertain differences in family
life then and now.
Characteristics of modern family structures
to include:
 lone parent, nuclear, extended and
blended families
Lesson 3
2 class
periods
Social, economic and technological
changes affecting modern family structures
Lesson 4
1 class
period
3.1.1
Introducing
sociological
concepts
Sociological concepts, to include:
 society, culture, norms and mores,
values
 role, status, socio-economic
groupings, social mobility
 primary and secondary social
groups, kinship, socialisation
 social institutions
 social change
Explanation of these topics to be
integrated when teaching the
previous topics. Recap on
concepts here and explain
outstanding ones.
Page 1 of 3
(c) PDST Home Economics
Home Economics Support Service
Teacher Notes
Topic
Lessons
5&6
3.1.4
Family functions
Lessons
7&8
School Visits
January – May 2004
Content (material designated higher level
only in italics)
Family functions
 physical, economic, emotional,
educational & social
How these family functions may be adopted
or supplemented by other social institutions
4 class
periods
Lessons
9 & 10
3.1.5
Marriage
Definition of marriage
Outline knowledge of some cultural
variations in marital arrangements,
commitment, customs, legal obligation,
rights and responsibilities within the
marriage relationship
Lessons
11 & 12
Facilities and services available to those
preparing for marriage
4 class
periods
Choices available when a marriage has
broken down, to include:
 marriage counselling
 family mediation
 legal separation
 legal nullity
 divorce
Page 2 of 3
Methodology/Resources
Brainstorm with class the
functions of the family i.e. ask
them why is their family
important to them, what does
their family do for them.
Write answers on flipchart/board.
Then ask students to classify
their responses into the 5
different categories.
Home Economics Support Service
Teacher Notes
Topic
Lessons
13 – 22
3.1.6
Family as a
caring unit
10 class
periods
School Visits
January – May 2004
Content (material designated higher level
only in italics)
Methodology/Resources
Roles and responsibilities of family
members and how these roles change
through the life cycle of the family
Case Study
Teacher Notes - Cluster 4 pg 42
Gender issues in relation to family roles
Case Study
Teacher Notes - Cluster 4 pg 43
Case Study
Guidelines for Teachers pg 87
Social and economic factors that have
affected the changing roles of family
members in recent times
Guidelines for Teachers pg 85
Role conflict
Child-parent relationships, to include
 physical and psychological needs of
young children and adolescents and
how the family can meet these needs
 the rights of children within the
family
 conflict between adolescents and
adults and how it can be dealt with
 importance of good communication
within the family
The role of older people within the family,
to include
 the importance of independence for
the older person within the family
group
 generation conflict and how to deal
with the conflict
Response of the family unit to those with
special physical, mental or emotional needs,
to include statutory and voluntary services
available
Lessons
23 & 24
2 class
periods
3.1.7
Family law
Protection available for families under
current Irish family law, to include:
 The Family Law (Maintenance of
Spouses and Children) Act (1976)
 The Family Home Protection Act
(1976)
 The Family Law Act (1976)
section 22: barring orders
 The Judicial Separation Act (1989)
 The Child Care Act (1991)
The importance of and outline procedure for
making a will
Page 3 of 3
Guidelines for Teachers pg 85