2018 Flashcards
What is primary socialisation (2)
Primary socialisation is the learning we do by interacting and observing while we’re young.
PS tends to occur in the family home and is where we learn about social norms, values and cultural practices
Briefly explain how childhood might be a negative experience for some children in the UK today (2)
SUE PALMER identified 6 ways in which childhood may be a negative experience with one being education - the increased and overt emphasis on tests and targets can result in increased anxiety amongst children thus resulting in a negative childhood experience
Outline 3 reasons for the fall in the death rate in the 7UK since 1900 (6)
ECONOMIC GROWTH and IMPROVING STANDARD OF LIVING
* The rise in income has resulted in more taxation’s which in turn means more money for public health services
SOCIAL POLICIES
* Health and Safety regulations have legislated that we have clean drinking water, safe sewage and waste disposal and food hygiene standards
MEDICAL ADVANCES
* Mass immunisation programmes have limited the spread of infectious diseases e.g. Measles which is common among minors
Outline and explain 2 ways in which postmodernist argue that increased choice for individuals have affected patterns of family life
One way in which increased choice for individuals has affected patterns of family life is whether or not we have CHILDREN or when we choose to have them.
Women entering the workforce has resulted in them pursuing their career meaning they either delay having children (resulting in the having children when they’re older and less fertile) or simply not having children at all as they value their career over having children.
Furthermore, the heavy emphasis on contraception and safe sex has given women more of a choice over whether they would engage in sexual relationships for intimacy or reproductive reasons.
ANOTHER WAY IS DIVORCE. In post modern society, changes in legislations e.g. the divorce act have made divorce more accessible and an easier process. In terms of family life, divorce tends to result in single parent/persons households or reconstituted families. Divorce poses the threat of causing potential harm to children who may be psychologically affected.
Evaluate sociological views on the impact of government policies and laws on the role of the family (20)
Functionalism is a sociological perspective that views family as the core of society whereby they consider it to be the most important institution. Murdock, a functionalist, identified the four needs that the family fulfils - SEXUAL, REPRODUCTIVE, EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC. Sexual being the stable satisfaction of the sex drive, reproductive being the biological reproduction of the next generation, education being the socialisation off norms and values and economic being the meeting of financial needs by providing food and shelter.
Structural differentiation refers to how the role of the family being reduced due to changes in society e.g. gvt. policies. Item B suggests that laws ‘support the family’. This is evidence through Fletcher who suggested that the state has supported and not replaced the role of the family - families can still provide economically, nurture and educate but have had pressure relieved.
On the contrary, Parsons argues that the role of the family has been narrowed due to gvt providing funding through child benefits. This in turn impacts the economic function of the family. Furthermore,the family’s function of education has been replaced as parents used to teach norm but legislation that makes education compulsory has resulted in secondary socialisation which some may deem as more important.
Similarly, the New Right view the nuclear family as the traditional and conventional family type. In their view, the family is the CORNERSTONE OF SOCIETY and fulfils the role of being a place of contentment, refuge and harmony.
The New Right believe the introduction of the welfare state ‘undermined the traditional role of the family’ by creating a culture of dependency whereby individuals relied on support from the state and has thus encouraged the rise of lone parent families. They also argue that legislations such as divorce undermine the traditional role of the family’ which in this case is education, as lone parent families result in inadequate socialisation, particularly for boys who are raised without a father figure.
2017
Evaluate sociological explanations of changes in the experience of childhood in the last 50 years or so (20)
Many sociologists would regard the concept of childhood as being a social construction that is neither a natural or biological process, but has been established through culture. Within western society, it is generally accepted that childhood is a distinct period of time in life that has different expectations from adulthood whereby children are now seen as vulnerable and in need of protection.
According to Item B, ‘the March of Progress …’ This is evidenced through Aries who argued that children are much more protected from harm and exploitation than they ever have been before. This is due to a number of significant changes in society such as the introduction of legislations that regulated what children were allowed, required and restricted to do. Prevention from paid work and the introduction of compulsory schooling and child protection gave children a status of protection in society whereby they were regarded as physically and emotionally immature and competent enough to administrate their own lives.
Pilcher (1995) saw this as a key feature of childhood that is very separate and different from adulthood and many sociologists would argue that the ‘golden age’ of childhood is lived predominantly in the sphere of family and education.
The increased investment in children by their families means according to Item B, that ‘ society has become child centred’. Over the last 50 years or so, family sizes have decreased. From an economic stand point, children have become more of an economic liability as they are no longer able to provide an income to the family and so families tend to invest more time and money in raising one or two children really well. According to Aries, this child-centredness results in a more positive life experience for children over the last 50 years or so.
The March of Progress view is criticised and contradicted by Sue Palmer who argues that children today are experiencing a ‘toxic childhood’. Palmer argues that technological and cultural changes are having a negative impact on childhood experience. Palmer identified 6 ways in which childhood is toxic, two of which are the commercialisation of childhood and the decline in outdoor play, are linked to ‘increased childhood obesity’. Within the food industry, the high exposure of fast-food culture and the range available to targeted at children have contributed to the ‘increased childhood obesity’.
This suggests that contrary to the March of Progress view, the experience of childhood over last 50 years or so have not actually improved.
Postmodernists however argue that it is difficult to generalise notions and experiences of childhood as not all children will experience the same childhood irrespective of large social categories e.g. class, gender and ethnicity. In terms of gender, feminists would argue that boys generally have greater freedom than girls as children, to, for example, cycle on roads. Similarly, Bonke found that girls are expected to do significantly more domestic labour than boys.
2016
Evaluate the contribution of Marxist views to our understanding of the family (20)
Marxism is a structural conflict perspective whereby they are concerned with how conflict in capitalist society is divided into 2 classes - the bourgeoisie who own and control the wealth of a country and the proletariat who are workers and labourers.
ENGELS MADE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE FAMILY as he highlighted patrimony (the act of inheriting possessions) as a key function of the family whereby it enables property and wealth to pass down through generations, allowing the upper class to accumulate more. A prime example of this notion in today’s society is Ford Motors as it has remained largely in the ha dis of the Ford family. This thus shows that patrimony supports the continuation of a ruling class.
Capitalist society is structured by a base and superstructure model. The economic base of capitalism is reinforced by the superstructure of society which includes institutions such as the family that work by teaching norms. The ruling class have used their control over social institutions to gain ideological dominance and control over the way people think.
Another Marxist who has made valuable contributions to our understanding of the family is ALTHUSSER who refers to the family as an IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUS whereby they teach rules of behaviour, norms and values.
The family regulate behaviour through positive and negative reinforcement and teach children to respect their elders and be submissive to authority. This in turn makes the family a crucial part of capitalism as it helps to maintain social structure.
COOPER FURTHER BUILT on Althusser’s notion and made another valuable contribution to our understanding of the family as he found that HIERARCHICAL RELATIONSHIPS in the home mirror the relationship between the ruling class and the working class in the workplace. This in turn makes the FAMILY A SITE OF IDEOLOGICAL CONDITIONING.
Item B suggests that Functionalists believe that ‘family members benefit from the support and emotional satisfaction they give to each other’. This is evidenced through Parsons who believed the family fulfilled the role of STABILISATION OF ADULT PERSONALITY which is a crucial factor of the family because it takes into account the wellbeing of adults. Marxist feminists however would argue that this result in women being the ‘takers of shit’ in the family.
Furthermore, the Functionalist Warm Bath Theory refers to the family home as being a sanctuary where individuals an relieve their stress. The MARXIST PRESSURE VALVE THEORY however believes that this creates an ARTIFICIAL SEPARATION of the public and private thus further disguising alienation encountered in the work place.
