Chapter 1: The family and social structure (modernism - social policy)

Question 1

What is the individualisation thesis?

Answer 1

traditional relationships, roles and beliefs have lost their influence over individuals

Question 2

What do Post-modernists believe about modernity?

Answer 2

Society has entered a chaotic postmodern society

No longer single family structure like the nuclear family

Family structures have become fragmented into many different types with higher levels of choice

Question 3

What were PARSON reasons for the changing structure of the family?

Answer 3

Industry required geographically mobile workforce
Difficult with extended family

Socially mobile workforce necessary
Status ascribed in extended families
If son did better job= higher achieved status
Nuclear family solves problem

Question 4

What did modernist GIDDENS believe about relationships in the modern world?

Answer 4

Family and marriage have been transformed by greater choice (e.g. contraception)

More equal relationship between men and women.

Marriage is based on confluent love = both benefit from relationship

If not fulfilled couples will divorce

Question 5

How does BECK describe post-modern societies?

Answer 5

We now live in a risk society

Tradition has less influence and people have more choice involving weighing up risk factors

Negotiated families where norms vary according to members wishes

Zombie category - family appears to be alive but in reality it is dead. People want it be a haven of security but it is unstable.

Question 6

What does postmodernist STACEY say families are?

Answer 6

Greater freedom and choice has benefitted women by enabling them to be free of patriarchal oppression.

Can shape family arrangements to their needs.

Women are main agent of change.

Question 7

What are the limitations of the individualisation thesis?

Answer 7

Exaggerates choice linked to family relationships today, traditional norms still provide some limits to choice (e.g. polygamous families)

Individuals do not have as much freedom and independence as suggested (e.g. arranged marriage)

Ignores power of structures (social class, gender)

Question 8

What does MURRAY argue about an underclass?

Answer 8

Created through over-generous welfare payments

Single parenthood is harmful to society = encourages irresponsible behaviour amongst children

Sons of single mothers miss adult male role model

Question 9

What did ABBOTT & WALLACE say about the policies of Thatcher and Major?

Answer 9

Supporting traditional nuclear families:
-Changed taxation policies so cohabiting couldn’t claim tax allowance

However:

• Made divorce easier
• Didn’t introduce tax/ benefits to encourage mothers to stay at home
• Gave illegitimate children same rights as those born within marriage

Question 10

What was New Labour view on Social policies?

Answer 10

More willing to accept family diversity

Allowed civil relationships for gay and lesbian

Question 11

What are some social policies protecting the nuclear family?

Answer 11

Section 28: banned promotion of homosexuality’’ preventing teachers telling student it was an acceptable family relationship (New Right gov)

Married men tax allowance: encourage married couples - tax break for married couples (New Right gov)

2016: 2 child cap of Child Tax credits (conservative gov)

Question 12

What are some social policies supporting family diversity?

Answer 12

Child Support Agency: support for broken families - maintenance payments by absent fathers

2014: Same sex marriage (Coalition gov)
2015: shared parental leave (Coalition gov)

Divorce Dissolution Act 2020: no fault divorce law, no need to blame

Question 13

What are some social policies supporting patriarchy?

Answer 13

Child tax benefit to the mother - maintains gender roles

Question 14

What are some social policies supporting gender equality?

Answer 14

Early years childcare provision: provides certain number free hours childcare – mothers go back to work

Statutory maternity pay: can split between mother and father – supports diversity in family

Question 15

What do functionalists say about social policies?

Answer 15

State acts on the interests of society and its members

Family policy helps families perform their functions more effectively

Question 16

What do the New Right say about social policies?

Answer 16

Favour traditional nuclear family

Family diversity is a threat to social order

Single parents don’t provide adequate socialisation

States have made it too easy to divorce and too easy to raise children alone

Question 17

What does DONZELOT say about policing the family?

Answer 17

Doctors, social workers and teachers are a form of ‘surveillance’ used to monitor and police families

Punish those who are seen as ‘dysfunctional’

Question 18

What did ABBOTT & WALLACE claim about Thatcher’s policies?

Answer 18

Policies encouraged people to live outside traditional family.

Believed main emphasis was on saving money.

Question 19

What does McGLONE ET AL say about kin outside the nuclear family?

Answer 19

They are important for providing practical and emotional support

(financial aid, childcare assistance)

Question 20

What does WILMOTT say about the dispersed extended family?

Answer 20

Most live in nuclear family with close ties to members of their extended family

Question 21

What does BRANNEN say about the beanpole family?

Answer 21

Strong intergenerational (grandparents) links but weaker intragenerational (cousins)

Question 22

What did BECK & BECK GERNSHEIM study with evidence against the universal nuclear family?

Answer 22

Negotiated family - expectations of spouses no longer clear cut