Families and Households (35)

Question 1

Evaluate the view families are bad for individuals (35)

Answer 1

• Radical feminist- TNF family is bad as it teaches patriarchal norms and values through primary socialisation and the dark side of the family.
• Marxist Feminist- TNF family is bad as women absorb men’s anger through their
economical role.
• Radical feminist- TNF family is bad as it controls women’s reproductive sexual
behaviour and prevents them from climbing the career ladder.
• New Right- family diversity is bad i.e. SPF’s and cohabitating couples are unstable leads to dependency culture, perverse incentive, life of crime for young males

Question 2

Evaluate the view families are bad for individuals (35) AO3

Answer 2

1. Functionalism- TNF is positive/ideal- biological gender roles naturally suited
   too, value consensus, everyone follows same rules and cooperate &
   integrate, smooth running society.
2. New Right- TNF is positive/ideal as it is self-sufficient, not reliant on welfare
   state
3. Liberal feminism- march of progress within families, women now more
   career orientated, dual earner families
4. Difference feminism- we cannot generalise for many black women; the
   home and family is where they are free and can escape racism.

Question 3

Evaluate the view that the traditional nuclear
family is the ideal family type. [35]

Answer 3

Parag 1- TNF is ideal according to functionalist teaches value
consensus & biological gender roles through primary soc. (speech
codes, manners, cooperation, expressive, instrumental, imitation,
sanctions). Eval Radical fem- reproduces patriarchy and controls
and oppresses women & children through private patriarchy.
Parag 2- TNF is ideal as its self-sufficient & acts as a unit of
production (Func Murdock) provides food, shelter, clothing. Also a
a warm bath where the man is comforted and is able to be
economically productive Eval New Right Don’t rely on welfare state
or handouts like SPF’s..
Parag 3- TNF is ideal according to functionalist as it prevents social
disruption through sexual regulation. Eval Marxism sexual
regulation exists to protect inheritance and private property
benefiting the ruling class only.
Parag 4 - New right - SPFs - dependency culture criminal deviance Eval - Postmodernism

Question 4

Families are patriarchal institutions. Evaluate this view of family life. [35]

Answer 4

Parag 1- Radical fem- primary soc- patriarchy- man head of the household, private patriarchy, domestic violence, Dobash & Dobash,
bedroom culture, domestic chores, Millet- men exercise power over women leading to their subordination, men are the ENEMY,
political lesbianism. A03- Func – not patriarchal but natural/biological prepares women for their nurturing and caregiving role.
Parag 2- Marxist Fem – Economics – Ansley, takers of shit, absorb men’s anger, reserve army of labour, women maintain workers
emotional fitness. A03- Liberal feminists there has been a march of progress due to changes to laws & attitudes. E.g. the Equal Pay
Act & Sex Discrimination Act have helped women win equality. This is evidenced by studies that show men now do more housework
than in the past & there is an increase in dual earner families.
Parag 3- Marxist Feminists Reproduction- women reproduce the labour force, little cost to capitalism, Benston – women’s
reproductive capabilities manipulated, bear and take care of children as part of marriage, limits career advancements. Pantazis et al
discovered women do the majority of the domestic labour, married women’s health is generally worse than those who are
single, but married men enjoy better health. A03- Postmodernist would argue this is outdated- in postmodern society women are
delaying childbirth to focus on careers and overall traditional marriages are declining. The traditional nuclear family is not
dominant in a postmodern society and there are now alternative ways of having children i.e. many same sex couples opt for sperm
donors.
Parag 4 Radical Feminist sexual regulation- women’s sexual behaviour is controlled, Millet- men subordinate women by exercising
power and control over women, monogamous marriage controls women as they are expected to have a sexual relationship with only
one partner, men benefit from women’s sexual services, men dominate through DV or the threat of it, separatism A03: Difference
feminism