Exam Questions Families

Question 1

Describetwoarguments supporting the idea that the modern family has lost some of its functions.

Answer 1

• Losing its economic purpose > structural differentiation
• Socialisation by nursery staff or childminders.
• Gender roles losing their power.

Question 2

Outline 3 reasons why lone parents are usually headed by the mother

Answer 2

• Custody > reflecting the cultural norm that women are more suited to the expressive nurturing role
• Reproductive technology such as IVF are enabling women to have children without a male partner.
• Better job opportunities and support from the welfare state.
• Men may also abandon the woman before the child is born

Question 3

Outline 3 characteristics of a symmetrical family

Answer 3

• Women now go out to work, although this may be part-time rather than full-time.
• Men now help out with housework and childcare.
• Couples now spend their leisure time together instead of separately with workmates or female relatives.

Question 4

Outline 3 ways in which children in our society occupy a separate status to adults.

Answer 4

• Right to happiness > unlike adults
• Physically immature > cant defend themselves
• Mentally immature > not competent to run their lives

Question 5

Outline 3 ways in which adults control children’s time, space or bodies

Answer 5

• State child’s benefit goes to the parent
• Pocket money given by parents depends on ‘good behaviour’ > maybe restrictions on purchases
• Children’s bedtime

Question 6

Outline 3 functions that functionalists see the family as performing

Answer 6

• Stable satisfaction of the sex drive
• Reproduction of the next generation
• Socialisation of the young
• Satisfaction of members’ economic needs

Question 7

Outline 3 reasons why the total number of marriages has been declining.

Answer 7

• Higher expectations
• Change in social attitudes (Stigma)
• Secularization (importance of religion)

Question 8

Outline 3 types of diversity suggested by the Rapaports.

Answer 8

• Cultural Diversity (ethnic and religious groups)
• Social Class Diversity (upper- middle- working-class families)
• Life-cycle Diversity (partners have children, separate, form another relationship or live alone)

Question 9

Outline 3 reasons for the increase in the divorce rate in the last 50 years or so.

Answer 9

• Changes in Law (equal rights)
• Lower costs (legal aid)
• Change in social attitudes (Stigma)
• More economic independence > less reliant on husband

Question 10

Outline 3 reasons for the increase (tripled since 1970s) in lone parenthood

Answer 10

• Change in social attitudes (Stigma)
• More economic independence > less reliant on husband
• Reproductive technology such as IVF are enabling women to have children without a male partner.
• Increase in divorce

Question 11

Outline 3 ways in which childhood could be said to be toxic

Answer 11

Palmar

• Junk food
• Computer games
• Long hours worked by parents

Question 12

Outline 3 reasons for the increase in the proportion of births (%50) taking place outside marriage

Answer 12

• Change in social attitudes (Stigma)
• Secularisation (importance of religion)
• The changing position of women.

Question 13

Outline 3 reasons for the decrease in family size since 1900.

Answer 13

• The changing role and independence of women.
• The rising costs of raising a family (£200,000 to raise one child from birth until the age of 21)
• The growing individualisation.

Question 14

Outline and explain 2 reasons for the increase in family diversity

Answer 14

• Change in social attitudes (Stigma)
• More economic independence > less reliant on husband
• the growing individualisation.

Question 15

Outline and explain 2 reasons for the increase in the divorce rate since 1960’s apart from legislation

Answer 15

• Change in social attitudes (Stigma)

- More economic independence > less reliant on husband

Question 16

Outline and explain 2 reasons for the changes in family size in the last 50 years or so

Answer 16

• The changing role and independence of women.
• The rising costs of raising a family. (£200,000 to raise one child from birth until the age of 21)
• The growing individualisation.

Question 17

Outline and explain 2 factors which have led to a rise in cohabitation

Answer 17

• Change in social attitudes (Stigma)
• Secularisation (importance of religion + sin)
• More economic independence for woman

Question 18

Levin’s three reasons why people might choose LATs instead of marriage or cohabitation

Answer 18

• Existing responsibilities for other people, such as children living at home or elderly relatives
• Practical reasons: Couples may work or study in different places
• Avoid the risk of re-creating the conditions that led to the break-up of a former relationship.

Question 19

How does the family support capitalism according to the Marxists?

Answer 19

• Inheritance of Wealth > Passing on of private property
• unit of consumption
• Providing the next generation of workers.