Changes in Family Structure Flashcards
Give an example of social change caused by industrialisation.
The nuclear family becomes dominant. There is a huge increase in individuals leaving the home to work for a wage. The key social change is that industrialisation separates home and work.
What role did Parson believe men and women had within the nuclear family?
Parsons says specialised roles for men and women develop within the family;
- men are instrumental (practical/ planning) leaders
- women are expressive (emotional) leaders in a family
What is meant by the term ‘symmetrical family’?
The idea that both partners work either part time or full time. The economic contribution of men and women is equally important.
Outline one criticism of Willmott and Young’s ‘march of progress’ theory.
Criticised for assuming that family life has got better and better as structure adapts to modern society.
What is social policy?
The UK government often makes laws designed to influence family life or structure. These laws are part of social policy.
Social policy laws cover areas such as divorce, changes to the benefit system which affect family income, reforms to the education system, adopting/ fostering and employment.
Give two examples of Conservative policies in the 1980s and 1990s that affected family life.
- The Child Support Agency was established in 1993 to force absent fathers and mothers to pay a fair amount towards the upkeep of their children.
- The Children Act 1989 outlined for the first time the rights of the child.
What was New Labour’s attitude towards family diversity? (3 things)
- They showed an awareness of, and concern for, diversity of family life.
- In 2005 they introduced civil partnerships, a union a lot like marriage that is available for gay couples.
- They also introduced laws allowing any type of cohabiting couples to adopt children.
Describe the attitude of the Coalition government towards marriage.
They promoted marriage as a stabilising force in family life. For example, they pledged to remove the ‘couples penalty’ that made those on benefits better off if they lived apart.
