AS SCLY1 Unit Information, log and tracker (www.goffssociology.wordpress.com) Families & Households What you need to know for this topic: The family, social structure and social change The functions of the family Power and control in the family Marriage, divorce and family diversity Demographic trends and family life The nature of childhood The family and social policy Exam practice (especially words and evaluation) command For more information go to: www.goffssociology.wordpress.com Unit Topic Areas Topic The family, social structure and social change The functions of the family Content We will study how definitions of the family have changed over the last centaury, especially the effect of industrialisation. We will study what the family is for, especially its role in society and how it functions. This will cover all the key sociological perspectives. Reading Moore, S. et. al. (2008) Sociology AS for AQA Understood? (Hammersmith: Harper Collins Publishers) – pp. 72 - 78 Moore, S. et. al. (2008) – Sociology AS for AQA - pp. 79 - 85 Newbold, C. et. al. (2008) – AQA Sociology (AS) (Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes) – pp. 59 – 65 Webb, et. al. (2008) AS Level Sociology (AQA) (Brentwood: Napier Press) –pp. 38 45 Moore, S. et. al. (2008) – Sociology AS for AQA - pp. 108 113 Newbold, C. et. al. (2008) – AQA Sociology (As) – pp. 81 – 84 Power and control in the family You will study domestic labour and gender roles within families. This will include the impact of paid work, domestic violence and power relationships. Marriage, divorce and family diversity We will study changing attitudes to marriage, divorce and cohabitation as well as the impact on families and households. Moore, S. et. al. (2008) – Sociology AS for AQA - pp. 100 107 Newbold, C. et. al. (2008) – AQA Sociology (As) – pp. 68 – 71 Demographic trends and family life We will learn about changes in the birth, death, fertility and infant mortality rates as well as increases in life expectancy and migration to and from the UK. Moore, S. et. al. (2008) – Sociology AS for AQA - pp. 54 - 58 Newbold, C. et. al. (2008) – AQA Sociology (As) – pp. 92 – 99 Webb, et. al. (2008) The nature of childhood We will study what childhood actually is, whether it is socially constructed and whether it changes between time and place. You will also AS Level Sociology (AQA) –pp. 46 - 54 Moore, S. et. al. (2008) – Sociology AS for AQA - pp. 114 119 Newbold, C. et. al. (2008) – AQA Sociology (As) – pp. 73 – 79 The family and social policy Exam Practice compare ‘March of Progress’ views versus ‘conflict’ views of childhood and debate its disappearance. You will study what a social policy is and their impact on the family. Alongside examples of social policies, you will study what each sociological perspective thinks of them. Lesson on how to respond to exam ‘command words’, evaluation techniques and general exam practice. Webb, et. al. (2008) AS Level Sociology (AQA) –pp. 28 – 37 Moore, S. et. al. (2008) – Sociology AS for AQA – 72 - 78 Newbold, C. et. al. (2008) – AQA Sociology (AS) – pp. 64- 65 Webb, et. al. (2008) AS Level Sociology (AQA) –pp. 80 - 87 Moore, S. et. al. (2008) – Sociology AS for AQA – 42 – 78 Webb, et. al. (2008) AS Level Sociology (AQA) –pp. 88 - 89 Unit Reflection Audit Topic Exam confident? The family, social structure and social change The functions of the family Power and control in the family Areas for revision improvement Marriage, divorce and family diversity Demographic trends and family life The nature of childhood The family and social policy Exam Practice What did you enjoy about this unit? _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ What didn’t you enjoy? _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Sociological Perspectives on the Family For each perspective you must be able to say: AO1: What they believe? AO1: How does this apply to the family? AO2: What are the strengths of these views with regard the family? AO2: How has this view been criticised by other theory’s/writers? Functionalist Theory on the Family What do they believe? How does their theory apply to the family? Society is like the human body The family is a system within the ‘body’ Systems in the body works together for the Through socialisation children learn the benefit of the whole ‘rules’ (Norms & Values) of their society Each system is reliant on each other This ensures that society continues in its Each system has shared rules (Norms & harmonious state. Values) so they are always in harmony with So the family is an important system the other systems within society – it is a building block for There is ‘consensus’ between all systems society This consensus is started with primary socialisation in the family and then reinforced by every system in the body – education, church, media etc What are the strengths of these views with How has this view been criticised by other regard the family? theory’s/writers? Family performs essential functions for • Assumes the family is harmonious and society and its members ignore conflict and exploitation like child Murdock = 4 functions abuse and women’s oppression Parsons = 2 functions • Assumes the nuclear family is universally Parsons = the family is ‘functionally fit’ – it the norm and ignores family diversity fits the needs of the society it is in. • Criticised by Marxists who see the Preindustrial society = extended family conflict in society Industrial society = nuclear family • Feminist criticise it for being oppressive to women – serves the needs of men • Functionally fit idea of parsons has been disproved as there is evidence of nuclear family’s in preindustrial times –( Willmott & Young – Lasslett) – often did not live long enough to see grandchildren • Extended families in industrial times (Anderson) – poverty meant that this was the best type of family for mutual support Key players: What do they say? Murdock: family => 4 essential functions for society 1.Sexual; 2. Reproduction; 3. Socialisation; 4. Parsons: family => 2 essential functions for society Economic Parsons: Warm bath theory 1.Primary socialisation; 2.stabalisation of adults Family is somewhere that the working man can relax and be themselves – take out their Parsons: Functionally fit frustrations in safe environment rather than at work Nuclear = Industrial society => geographically mobile => socially mobile Loss of function with industrialisation- family no longer provide education and health care, the state does. Marxist Perspective on the Family What do they believe? • Society based on capitalism • Conflict between ruling class and working class • Society is based on inequality between these classes • All systems in society, education, church, media, sate help maintain the class inequality • The working class have developed a false class consciousness=>they believe that it is right that they work for the ruling class • Revolution => when working class realise they are being exploited they will revolt What are the strengths of these views with regard the family? Explains the inequality in society Explains how working class accept this inequality Explains how capitalism evolved through the building up of wealth and need to pass on wealth to your own family Key players: Karl Marx: one of the founding fathers of sociology Engles: How does their theory apply to the family? Family performs important functions for capitalism • Passing on wealth=>make sure it’s your son • Ideological function=>justifies ruling class position of power & working class acceptance • Unit of consumption =>family buy the products it makes for more than they are paid to produce it thus make more profits for Ruling class How has this view been criticised by other theory’s/writers? Assumes the nuclear family is dominant & ignores growing family diversity Feminists criticise it for ignoring the exploitation of women – family serves men not capitalism Functionalist say Marxists ignore the benefits the family brings its member in mutual support and intimacy Functionalist argue that we live in consensus not conflict There has not been a revolution What do they say? Developed theory of society – conflict theory Based on inequality – those that have rule those that have not. Maintain their position of power through ideology – the views of the dominant class being accepted by the subordinate class. Working class have a false class consciousness – will be a revolution one they realise their exploitation In primitive society no restrictions on sexual relationships – as wealth was accumulated so rich men needed to ensure paternity => monogamy was essential Feminist Perspective on the Family All have a common belief that we live in a Patriarchal society - All Seek equality for women Liberal Feminism What do they believe? How does their theory apply to the family? • Gaining equality through campaigning Has brought greater equality in the family Women’s vote, Sex Discrimination Act, Equal Pay Act Similar view to ‘march of progress’ view – things are getting better What are the strengths of these views with How has this view been criticised by other regard the family? theory’s/writers? Campaigning has brought the family closer to • Changes in law do not mean changes in attitude equality • Marxist & Radical feminist criticise view for Shared roles in the family with men doing ignoring the underlying cause of inequality and more oppression Attitudes to how boys and girls are socialised is changing Marxist Feminism What do they believe? How does their theory apply to the family? See capitalism as the source of women’s Reproducing the next labour force oppression Absorbing men’s anger Women perform vital functions for Reserve army of cheap labour capitalism What are the strengths of these views with How has this view been criticised by other regard the family? theory’s/writers? Highlights women’s exploitation by • Ignores modern day life where the woman can be capitalism the breadwinner Dual burden/triple shift/reserve army of • women were oppressed before capitalism so no labour guarantee that abolition of capitalism will mean end of oppression Key players: Fran Ansley –“women are takers of shit” What do they say? They deal with their husband’s anger and frustrations from work. She believes that women are oppressed - dual or triple burden. However women are working as well as having children her research does not acknowledge this Radical Feminism What do they believe? How does their theory apply to the family? Key division in society is between men & Believe that patriarchy leads to the subordination women of women and children in the home and in wider society. Rape and sexual assault => male power Want to abolish the family, women can live without men What are the strengths of these views with How has this view been criticised by other regard the family? theory’s/writers? Highlights how women are subjected to male • Ignores fact that some women like to live with dominance men and like being mothers Highlight the power men have over women • Liberal feminist criticise for not seeing how Shows how this power is exerted women’s lives have improved, better jobs, access to divorce, control over fertility, choice about marriage Key players: What do they say? Germaine Greer: ‘sleeping with the enemy’ ‘political lesbianism’=>create all female households to end male oppression Difference Feminism What do they believe? How does their theory apply to the family? Women are different and experience Many Black families see the family as positive oppression differently depending on class or It acts as a support in the face of racial ethnicity oppression What are the strengths of these views with How has this view been criticised by other regard the family? theory’s/writers? Acknowledge that women have different • Despite differences women do share many of experiences the same experience, compared to men they face We therefore cannot generalise about a greater risk of domestic violence, sexual women’s experiences assault, low pay, living in poverty, exploitation See patriarchy as source of women’s oppression Men benefit from the family Key Scholars/Thinkers to Name Drop in Essays Along with the above people, litter your essays with arguments from these people. George P. Murdock Talcott Parsons Charles Murray Jenny Summerville Shulamith Firestone Fran Ainsley Ann Oakley Alice Cooper David Cooper Fredrich Engels Eli Zaretsky Robert and Rhona Rappoport Robert Chester Elizabeth Bott Wilmot & Young Sue Sharpe Philipe Aries Edward Shorter Samantha Punch Diana Gittins Neil Postman Iona and Peter Opie Dobash and Dobash N.L. Trenter Thomas McKeown Ellis Cashmore Jacques Denzelot O’Sullivan and Jewkes Barbara Ehrenreich Christopher Lasch W. Russell Neuman Glossary of Key Words, Terms and Concepts Age: The biological basis for age groups, age describes the journey between birth and death in years. Age Patriarchy: a concept put forward by Diana Gittins that men not only dominate women within the household, but children as well. This can lead to abuse and age inequality. Ascribed Status: a social position fixed by birth, a position that cannot be changed by one’s own efforts Authority: The possession of power which is seen as legitimate by those whom it is wielded. Beanpole Family: Term used to describe the modern day family where people have fewer children, but are at the same time living longer, family trees are becoming longer and thinner - sometimes extending to four generations. Birth Rate: The ratio of total live births to total population in a specified community or area over a specified period of time. The birth rate is often expressed as the number of live births per 1,000 of the population per year. Cereal-packet family: Term associated with Edmund Leach to describe the romantic image of the traditional two-parent family featured on the back of corn flake packets in the 1960s. Child centeredness: A family in which much activity and emotional energy is focused on the children, rather than adult desires. Confluent Love: Active and causal love rather than ‘forever’ notions of romantic love. Cohabitation: A situation where a couple lives together as man and wife without being legally married. Commercialisation of Childhood: Where children are targeted as a key consumer group by big business. Companionate: Term used to describe the jointness of couples, not only in terms of the tasks they perform, but equally in their leisure activities too. Conflict: theories that see social groups in conflict with each other. For example, Marxists see conflict between the working and middle classes and Feminists see conflict between men and women. Conjugal Roles: The roles played between husband and wife within a marriage with particular reference to the domestic division of labour. Elizabeth Bott argues that there are two types’ segregated and joint roles. Civil Partnership Act 2004: Gave same-sex couples rights and responsibilities identical to civil marriage. Civil partners are entitled to the same property rights as married opposite-sex couples, the same exemption as married couples on inheritance tax, social security and pension benefits, and also the ability to get parental responsibility for a partner's children. 'Dark-side' of the family: Term used to challenge the romantic view of the family by perspectives such as feminists and Radical Psychiatrists. They highlight the extent of conflict and violence in families. Death (Mortality) Rate: The number of deaths per thousand of the population per year. Dependency ratio: The ratio within the population of those under 15 and over 65 to those between those years, i.e. of working age. Divorce: The legal termination of a marriage. Divorce Rate: A statistical measure of the number of divorces, usually expressed as the number of divorces in any one year per 1000 married couples in the population. Divorce Reform Act, 1971: Introduced the concept of 'no-fault' divorce. There was a significant growth in divorce after this Act became effective in 1971. Divorce Reform Act, 1984: The amount of time before application for divorce can be made was reduced. Dual Burden: Is when a women has the responsibly of unpaid work and paid work Empty-shell marriage: Term given to marriage where love and romance have longgone and couples stay together either because divorce is not an option (say for religious reasons) or they simply cannot make the effort to separate. Expressive Role: Term associated with Dunscombe and Marsden literally means the housewife providing the warmth, security and emotional nurturing support. Extended Family: Is one where the nuclear family has been added to, or extended, either vertically (i.e. with grandparents, parent and children) or horizontally (i.e. with two or more brothers/sisters living with their respective spouses and children). False Consciousness: Used by Marxists to mean ways of thinking which are the product not of real material conditions the thinker inhabits, but of the ideological forces of other groups. Family: Two or more generations of people tied together through blood, marriage or adoption. Anthony Giddens adds how adult members are assumed to have a responsibility for caring for children. Family diversity: A term used to describe the differing forms of family organisation typical of modern Britain 'Family paths': Term associated with Jon Bernardes to illustrate the highly varied and individual experiences people have within families according to age, gender, etc. Fertility rate: Is the average number of children women will have between the ages of 15 and 44. 'fit', Thesis: Another name for evolutionary theory suggesting that the family changed from extended to nuclear to provide a functional fit to the new industrial society that benefited from smaller more mobile families. Gender: Used by sociologists to describe the cultural and social attributes of men and women, which are manifested in appropriate masculinity and femininity. Gender Division of Labour: Husbands and wives have different roles/tasks. Household: A group of people not necessarily related who share accommodation (or meals, chores, bills etc), or one person living alone. Hierarchy: A central concept of stratification, signifying the ordering of social positions in a structure of superiority and inferiority. Most hierarchies can be depicted as a triangle, with fewer superior positions at the top of the hierarchy than subordinate positions at the bottom. Joint Conjugal Roles: Husband and wife share roles, tasks and/or leisure; Individualisation: Phrase coined by David Popenoe which suggests that we place an emphasis on self-fulfilment rather than collective goals. Infant Mortality Rate: The number of deaths in a population of infants under one years of age per thousand births. Lone parent families: Families consisting of a dependent child or children living with one parent, usually the mother (9/10). March of progress theory: Collective name for social theorists, usually of the functionalist perspective, who see the family evolving and adapting in a progressive way to fit the changing needs of wider society. Marriage: A legal contract between two people of opposing sexes offering rights and obligations under law. Marriage Rate: Is the number of marriages occurring among the population of a given area per year, per 1,000 total population. Matriarchy: a family where the female dominates. In some societies matriarchy means that family linage is passed down through the female lines. Matriarchy could be seen as the opposite of patriarchy too. Matrifocal: a family centred on the female. The female runs the household and combines both the ‘expressive’ and ‘instrumental’ roles. Net Migration: the difference between the numbers emigrating and those immigrating. Neo Conventional Family: According to Chester this family has partners who both work and may not be married. However, it is more symmetrical and happier. Patriarchy: A form of society in which males are the rulers and leaders and exercise power, both at the level of society as a whole and within individual households. Primary Socialisation: Instilling basic skills and values in young children. Reconstituted Family: Such as step-family. Secularisation: As the process in which religious thinking, practices and organisations lose their social significance. Segregated Gender Roles: Husband and wife have a clear-cut division of labour. Serial Monogamy: Having several marriage partners/long term relationships over the course of one’s life, one at a time. Social norms: the things that are considered ‘normal’ or acceptable in society. Social Construction: Created by society and/or by social attitudes. Stabilisation of the adult personality: According to Parsons the family plays a key role in supporting its members emotionally. Structurally isolated: The idea that the nuclear family is not obligated to or is independent of the extended family. Symmetrical Family: Term coined by Willmott and Young that indicates that roles are shared more or less evenly within the family, even though they may be gender segregated. Triple Shift: This is paid work, housework and the emotional role. Urbanisation: The growth of cities, or the movement of population off the land into towns. Source: All definitions taken from ‘The Complete A-Z Sociology Handbook by Tony Lawson and Joan Garrod or from AQA Mark Schemes. Recommended Books Moore, S. et. al. (2008) – Sociology AS for AQA (Hammersmith: HaperCollinsPublishing) Newbold, C. et. al. (2008) – AQA Sociology (AS) (Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes) Webb, et. al. (2008) AS Level Sociology (AQA) (Brentwood: Napier Press) P.T.O Possible Essay Question Section B: Families and Households Total for this section: 60 marks Read Items 2A and 2B below and answer questions 0 6 to 1 0 that follow. Item 2A Marriage patterns are undergoing a number of changes. For example, the number of marriages is declining while the number of remarriages is rising. This has led to a pattern of relationships described as serial monogamy. Furthermore, couples are marrying later and cohabitation is rising. For some couples, cohabitation is replacing marriage while, for others, cohabitation is a prelude to marriage. Item 2B For functionalist sociologists, the family fulfils a number of important functions for individuals and for society, such as the socialisation of children and the stabilisation of adult personalities. However, some sociologists suggest that, in today’s society, these functions are being taken over by other institutions and the family is losing its importance. For example, nurseries and playgroups have an increasingly important role in the socialisation of young children whose parents are working full-time. Also, family life is much less stable than it was in the past and this undermines the traditional functions of the family. 0 6 Explain what is meant by ‘serial monogamy’ (Item 2A). (2 marks) 0 7 Suggest two reasons why there has been an increase in cohabitation (Item 2A). (4 marks) 0 8 Identify three ways in which childhood may not be a positive experience for some children. (6 marks) 0 9 Examine the reasons for, and the consequences of, the fall in the death rate since 1900. (24 marks) 1 0 Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the view that, in today’s society, the family is losing its functions. (24 marks) Exam tips: Make sure you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding (what you actually know) by selective application of what a question requires you to explain. Don’t go off on tangents or waffle. Show off your analytical skills by discussing different points of view, even if you don’t agree with them! It is important to weigh up the merits as well as the flaws of all view points when demonstrating your evaluative skills. The examiners are also looking for strong synoptic skills, which not only show that you can identify differing viewpoints and perspectives, but also recognise how these viewpoints came about, who holds them and why they conflict with other perspectives in terms of different peoples/groups desired sociological outcomes. Also, you need to illustrate the importance these views/perspectives had or still have the study of the sociology of the media as a whole. “Our Lives begin to end when we become silent about the things that matter.” Martin Luther King Jr. – Baptist Minister, civil rights and Nobel Peace Laureate leader who was shot dead in 1967. He has a PhD in SOCIOLOGY!