change: in-class essay

Question 1

intro

Answer 1

• social inst = “structures that provide for patterned relationships” (Carl et al, 2012
• not fixed, transform over time
• stim + course info, alt. theor. appr. can be eval
• funct, conf, fem + int used to explain change in fam, edu + work
• despite change, ineq still persists

Question 2

FAMILY

Answer 2

• family is “two or more persons… related by blood, marriage, adoption, step or fostering” (ABS 2021)

Funct: Parsons
- functs of family (reprod, soc, eco reg)
- nuclear fam best fit due to inst + ex roles
- STIM 5: “50 years ago”

Change
- Fam Law Act 1975 (no fault divorce)
- Tech (IVF 1980, contra 1961)
- Marriage Act 1961 changed 2017 (same sex)

Int: Beck-Gernsheim
- results in individualisation (freedom of choice)
- however, ‘risk society’
- STIM 6: “single mothers.. financial difficulty”

Question 3

EDUCATION

Answer 3

• education is “the systematic, formalised transmission of knowledge, values + skills” (Robertson 1989)

Funct: Durkheim
- manifest (read, write) + latent (values, norms)

Change
- 1880s compulsory edu (open to masses)
- STIM 5: “aus w tertiary edu” demonstrates rise of ‘credentialism’, increase uni enrollment
- HECS 1989 (access to all)
- STIM 7: “increasingly, parents” priv schooling

Conf: Bourdieu + Graetz
- B: ‘reproduction of priilege’, sub to owners of means of prod
- STIM 7: “students from wealthy…” benefit
- TASC stats (98% priv, 10% pub)
- G: transmission of capital (cultural, social, symbolic)

Question 4

WORK

Answer 4

• work is “a productive act that creates or achives something”, often considered as “paid employment” (G+P, 2011)

Funct: Durkheim
- functions (eco reg, soc stability + solidarity)

Change
- Public Service Act 1966 (return to work)
- STIM 5 “1961-2011 women wf almot doubled”
- Equal Pay legislation 1972, Sex Disc. Act 1982

Fem: Walby + Hochschild
- W: work is ‘gendered’ (tech vs caregiver jobs, part vs full time)
- = pay gap still exists
- H: second shift