10 Markers: Trends And Pattterns Flashcards
Item B Domestic violence accounts for up to a quarter of all recorded violent crime. Victims are more likely to be female and offenders male: domestic violence is linked to gender roles in patriarchal society. However, not all women are equally likely to suffer domestic violence. Victims - both female and male - are more likely to belong to disadvantaged social groups and live under difficult circumstances. Applying material from Item B, analyse two reasons for patterns of domestic violence [10 marks]
- Point: Item A suggests ‘domestic violence is linked to gender
roles in patriarchal society’ - this can be linked to the Radical
Feminist Explanation.
Explain: The Radical Feminist Explanation emphasises the role
of patriarchal ideas, cultural values and institutions has on
domestic violence.
Evidence: Millet and Firestone (1970) - All societies have been
founded on a patriarchy and this is the key division in society
between men and women - men are seen as the enemy as they
oppress and exploit women.
Analysis: Due to the patriarchal nature of families and
marriages, widespread domestic violence is inevitable and
serves to preserve the power men have over women.
Evaluate: The Radical Feminist explanation fails to explain all
cases of female violence such as: child abuse by women,
violence against males and violence within lesbian
relationships. - Point: Item A suggests that victims ‘are more likely to belong
to disadvantaged social groups and live under difficult
circumstances’ - this can be linked to the Materialist
Explanation.
Explain: The Materialist explanation emphasises the role of
economic factors such as lack of resources has on domestic
violence.
Evidence: Wilkinson and Pickett (2010) - Domestic violence is
caused by stress on family members due to social inequality as
some families have fewer resources than others.
Analysis: Families with fewer resources are more likely to
experience high levels of stress potentially due to
overcrowded accommodation. These high levels of stress are
caused by worries about money, jobs or housing, and these
feelings of stress can spill into personal relationships and have
the potential to turn into domestic violence.
Evaluate: Ansley (1972) - Domestic violence is the product of
capitalism because exploited male workers take out their
frustration on their wives.
"Item I The different cultural traditions, migration patterns and economic circumstances of different minority ethnic groups are reflected in the ethnic differences in family and household patterns seen in the United Kingdom today. These include differences in the proportions of people from different ethnic groups who live in single person, nuclear family, lone-parent and extended family households. Applying material from Item I, analyse two reasons for ethnic differences in family and household patterns [10 marks]
- Immigration has contributed to a rise in ‘lone-parent’ (Item l)
families. Black Caribbean and Black Africans have a higher
proportion of lone-parent households usually headed by a
lone mother. Berthoud argues that low rates of partnerships
and high rates of single parenthood mean that only a quarter
of black children live with two black parents. This may possibly
imply that the high rate of lone-parent black families led by
females can be seen evidence of family disorganisation which
can be traced back to slavery or high rates of unemployment
amongst black males. This suggests that when placed under
slavery, couples were separated, and children stayed with
their mothers which may explain the modern-day family
pattern among black people. Equally, high levels of male
unemployment made black men less able to provide for their
family which often resulted in marital breakdowns or
desertions. Thereby causing lone-parent households. But,
Reynolds argues that the statistics are misleading, many of
these lone parents may be in stable, supportive but non-
cohabiting relationships. - Immigration has also contributed to a rise in ‘extended
family households’ (Item I). Extended households contain three
generations or more. Asian families tend to contribute to this
rise in extended family structures. This is supported by Ballard,
who found that extended family relationships are more
common among South Asian ethnic minority groups. These
larger households could be a result of the young age profile
of British Asians. This suggests that a higher proportion of them
are in the childbearing groups compared with the population
as a whole. In addition, British Asians often have a higher
fertility rate when compared to the rest of the population,
thereby causing larger families. Moreover, these larger
households are present because Asian cultures regard the
extended family highly as a source of support. However, over
time Asian households have become more nuclear as opposed
to extended and relatives often live nearby to deliver the
same source of support.
Item Z Families are changing dramatically in the contemporary UK. Divorce rates are high, marriage rates are low, and more people are cohabitating rather than getting married. There are more lone parent families than ever, and nearly half of births are now outside marriage. More people than ever are choosing to live alone. Applying material from Item Z, analyse two reasons why the family in Britain is in decline [10 marks]
- One reason the family is in decline is due to ‘more people
than ever choosing to live alone’ (Item Z). Fewer people today
are living in couples are opting for a different way of living.
Beck-Gernsheim argue that the individualisation thesis has
opened up autonomy and has granted individuals more
freedom to live differently. The decline in marriage and the
rise in later marriages, means that many adults are remaining
single and many are living alone. It can be implied that many
of these adults are opting for a “creative singlehood’, which is
the deliberate choice to live alone. Furthermore, the idea of
being ‘left-on-the-shelf’ is slowly declining, meaning
individuals no longer see anything wrong with creative
singlehood. On another note, the increase in separation and
divorce particularly among older men has created more one-
person households. This is because after divorce, many
children are more likely to live with their mother rather than
their father. Even though some may choose to live alone by
choice, some are forced to live alone, most likely due to not
finding a suitable partner in their age group such as retired
widows. - Another reason the family is in decline is due to an increase
in ‘lone-parent families’ (Item Z). The number of lone-parent
families has risen due to the increase in divorce and separation
and due to the increase in never-married women having
children. Revoize found that professional women are
particularly able to support their children without their father,
which provides them with freedom. A reason for this change
may be linked to a decline in stigma attached to births outside
of marriage. But, many lone-parent families are female headed
because they are single by choice. These women may choose
to not cohabit or marry, or they may wish to limit the father’s
interaction with the child, which provides them with freedom.
Greater opportunities for women both in education and the
job market has meant that they aren’t tied down to unhappy
relationships due to economic dependency. Cashmore found
that some working class women with less earning power chose
to live on welfare benefits without a partner sometimes
because of an abusive partner.
Outline and explain two ways in which the ageing population may contribute to family diversity [10 marks]
- Point: The average age of the UK population is rising; this
means there are fewer young people and more old people.
Explain: The aging population results in an increase in single
person households.
Evidence: Spiker and Maclnnes point out that there are now
more people over 65 in the UK than children under 15. This
suggests that the number of pensioners living alone has
increased. These pensioners tend to be female, both because
women generally live longer and because they are usually
younger than their husbands. Therefore, as the average age of
the population is increasing and many pensioners are living
alone, there is a greater number of single person households,
often occupied by widows. - Point: The aging population may increase the amount of
extended families
Explain: The beanpole family may particularly be on the
increase as a result of the ageing population.
Evidence: Brannen notes there is an increase in the number of
four-generational families which include great-grandparents
and great-grandchildren.
Analysis: Those within the ageing population may feel they
cannot afford to live on their own and may choose to live with
their family as a part of a multi-generational home. However, it
may also be due to grandparents wanting to spend more time
with their grandchildren. Similarly, many relatives still feel a
sense of obligation to help their wider extended kin. This may
explain why daughters tend to take care of ill elderly relatives
and serves as another potential reason why elderly relatives
may live in a multi-generational family. Therefore, as the
aging population increases the number of extended families
may increase.
Outline and explain two ways in which greater life expectancy has affected the diversity of families and households 110 marks]
- Point: As death rates have fallen, life expectancy
has increased.
Explain: Life expectancy refers to how long on average a
person born in a given year can expect to live. Greater life
expectancy can lead to an increase in single person
households, as people are living longer.
Evidence: Spiker and Maclnnes point out that there are now
more people over 65 in the UK than children under 15.
Analysis: The number of pensioners living alone has increased.
These pensioners tend to be female, both because women
generally live longer and because they are usually younger
than their husbands. Therefore, as the life expectancy is
increasing and many pensioners are living alone, there is a
greater number of single person households, often occupied
by widows. - Point: Greater life expectancy may increase the amount of
extended families
Explain: The beanpole family may particularly be on the
increase as a result of greater life expectancy.
Evidence: Brannen notes there is an increase in the number of
four-generational families which include great-grandparents
and great-grandchildren.
Analysis: A direct demographic change that influences the
increase of beanpole families is increased life expectancy. This
means there are more surviving grandparents and great-
grandparents. Similarly, many relatives still feel a sense of
obligation to help their wider extended kin. This may explain
why daughters tend to take care of ill elderly relatives and
serves as another potential reason why elderly relatives may
live in a multi-generational family. Therefore, as the average
life expectancy increases the number of extended families
may increase.
Outline and explain two reasons why there is an aging population in the United Kingdom today [10 marks]
- One reason for an ageing population is due to the decrease
in death rates. One factor that has contributed to a fall in the
death rate lies within higher living standards. McKeown
suggests that rising standards of living have assisted in
reducing death rates. This means that higher wages has
allowed individuals access to better resources and materials.
For instance, higher wages enables individuals access to
healthier food which can elongate lifespans and eliminate
poor nutrition. In addition, technology such as freezers
enables individuals to store healthier food to promote
healthier lifestyles all year round. Furthermore, there is the
opportunity for greater access to improved housing, thereby
securing individuals’ welfare by reducing the risk of harm
within the home, thus contributing to an ageing population. - Another reason for an ageing population is due to a
decrease in the infant mortality rate (IMR). The IMR measures
the number of infants who die before their first birthday, per
thousand babies born alive each year. Harper suggests that a
fall in the IMR leads to a fall in the birth rate. This has been a
result of certain social developments such as: increased
sanitation, better of mothers, better knowledge of hygiene and
improved services for children and mothers. This suggests that
people are more knowledgeable about their health and their
children’s health, meaning they can make choices to extend
lifespans. Thereby, the fall in IMR means children are living
longer to make it to old age. Thus creating an ageing
population.
Item Q As a result of globalisation, more people now move across national boundaries, and they are more likely to move back and forth more often. Today's migrants are likely to differ both from the population of the society they leave and the society to which they migrate. Increased migration is also likely to have effects on both the country from which migrants come and the one to which they go. Applying material from Item Q, analyse two effects of patterns of migration since 2000 [10 marks]
‘As a result of globalisation, more people now move across
national boundaries, and they are likely to move back and
forth more often’ (Item Q). This may cause differences in
migrant identities. Eriksen (2007) states that alobalisation has
created more diverse migration patterns, with back-and-forth
movements of people through networks rather than
permanent settlement in another country. This suggests that
migrants are less likely to believe that they belong to one
culture or country. As a result, they many develop
transnational ‘neither/nor’ identities and loyalties. Similarly,
modern technology allows people to sustain global ties
without the need to travel. Furthermore, a globalised economy
means that migrants may have links to other migrants around
the world rather than those from their country of origin or
settlement. However, those with ‘neither/nor’ identities mav
find that others challenge their identity claims and may even
accuse them of not fitting in.
“Increased migration is also likely to have effects on both the
country from which migrants come and the one to which thev
go’ (Item Q). The increased global flows of migrants have
become an important political issue and this means that
migration has become politicised. For example, policies
introduced the government include: assimilation and
multiculturalism. The former refers to the policies that
encourage migrants to adopt the language, values and
customs of the host culture. Whilst the latter refers to the idea
that migrants can maintain their separate cultural identities. This
suggests that such policies help: control immigration, deal with
increased diversity, absorb migrants into society and help
national security. But, assimilation may also encourage workers
to blame migrants for social problems such as unemployment,
which can result in racial scapegoating. This can often destroy
the purpose of assimilation and cultural acceptance.
Item C In the 1950s, most immigrants into the United Kingdom came from Commonwealth countries such as India and Jamaica. More recently, many immigrants have come from European Union countries such as Poland. Many immigrants are young adults seeking work. These migration patterns have affected household structures. Applying material from Item C, analyse two ways in which migration patterns have affected household structures in the United Kingdom [10 marks]
Immigration from ‘Commonwealth countries such as
India’ (Item C) has led to a rise in extended family households.
Extended family households usually contain three generations
or more. Asian families tend to contribute to this rise in
extended family structures. This is supported by Ballard, who
found that extended familv relationships are more common
among South Asian ethnic minority groups. These larger
households are often a result of the younger age profile of
British Asians. This suggests that a higher proportion of them
are in the childbearing groups compared with the population
as a whole. In addition, British Asians often have a higher
fertility rate when compared to the rest of the population.
Moreover, these larger households are present because Asian
cultures regard the extended family highly as a source of
support. However, over time Asian households have become
more nuclear as opposed to extended and relatives often live
nearby to deliver the same source of support.
Immigration from ‘Jamaica’ (Item C) has contributed to a rise in
lone-parent families. The Black Caribbean population within
the UK tend to have a higher proportion of lone-parent
households usually headed by a lone mother. Berthoud argues
that low rates of partnerships and high rates of single
parenthood mean that only a quarter of black children live
with two black parents. This may possibly imply that the high
rate of lone-parent black families led by females can be seen
evidence of family disorganisation which can be traced back
to slavery or high rates of unemployment amongst black
males. This suggests that when placed under slavery, couples
were separated, and children stayed with their mothers which
may explain the modern-day family pattern among black
people. Equally, high levels of male unemployment made
black men less able to provide for their family which often
resulted in marital breakdowns or desertions. Thereby causing
lone-parent households. But, Reynolds argues that the
statistics are misleading, many of these lone parents may be in
stable, supportive but non-cohabiting relationships.
Outline and explain two ways in which an ageing population may have led to policies that affect families and households today [10 marks]
One way in which the ageing population can impact society is
through the provision of housing. This means that policymakers
would need to consider the potential housing crisis caused by
an aging population. As suggested by Hirsch, important
social policies such as the ‘trading down’ housing can help to
tackle the problems posed by an ageing population. This may
lead to an increase in family structures such as the beanpole
family as well as a rise in extended families as elderly people
migrate from their previous households. As a result, elderly
people are able to provide support with childcare, perhaps
lessening the burden on parents and potentially lessening the
domestic division of labor. Furthermore, moving elderly
people out of their homes can help decrease the amount of
young people living under the ‘clipped wing’ generation by
decreasing the number of adults that live with their parents.
Consequently, there should be increase in the amount of new
nuclear families, shared households and one-person
households, due to an increase in the provision of housing.
Another way in which the ageing population can impact
society is through employment. This will require policymakers
to consider the different effects the aging population has on
employment, one on hand, this could mean that the policies
relate to the retirement age. For example, abolishing the
retirement age (65) in 2011 means that employers can no
longer force workers to retire once they reach the age of 65.
Lawton argues that this would give older people the freedom
to work longer if they choose to. This indicates that elderly
people are still able to fund themselves and maintain a
breadwinner role. Thus, maintaining their standard of living
This leads to the continuation of single-person households.
Even so, not all elderly people will continue working, and
some may still retire at 65. Therefore, employment policies
may also need to be altered to cater for the sandwich
generation, who may require more flexible working patterns.
This is because they will now have extra responsibilities of
caring for both their parents and children.
