Paper 1:Section B Families and Relationships

Question 1

Functionalists on the role of the family:

MURDOCK (1949)

Answer 1

Researched in 250 societies where he found that the nuclear family was present in some form
Four core functions:
Sexual-channel sex drives into acceptable relationships(monogamy) to minimise conflict
Economic-unit of consumption with needs looked after and benefits society
Reproduction-without children society would cease to exist
Education-become well balanced individuals creating consensus

Question 2

Functionalists on the role of the family:

POPENOE(1996)

Answer 2

Biological imperatives which underline the way the family is organised
Women biologically suited to nursing children while men are biologically stronger

Question 3

Functionalists on the role of the family:

PARSONS (1955)

Answer 3

As society has industrialised the functions have changed
1 Socialisation of children- primary socialisation from parents who are a ‘personality factory’ where children are moulded by parents to adapt to norms and values
2 stabilisation of adult personalities (warm bath theory)married couples increasingly rely on each other for emotional support and provide a safe haven from the pressures of society

Question 4

Functionalists on the role of the family:

Evaluation

Answer 4

Largely positive and optimistic but ignores the dark aspects of the family such as domestic and child abuse

Question 5

Marxists on the role of the family:

COOPER (1972)

Answer 5

Family relationships represent the property relationships of capitalism in owning family members.
The family is a ideological conditioning device in which the family is a mini version of society and the agents of socialisation socialise children to accept capitalist norms and values.

Question 6

Marxists on the role of the family:

ZARETSKY(1976)

Answer 6

With the rise of capitalism, work and family life have become separated and as workers we don’t achieve satisfaction and feel alienated which could cause problems within capitalism so the family maintains capitalism in two ways:
1. Reproduce and Socialise children- teach children capitalist norm and values
2. Units of consumption- buying products
The family is a refuge.

Question 7

Marxists on the role of the family:

ENGELS (1844)

Answer 7

Used to have polygamy (multiple wives) but it was difficult for inheritance so to avoid this most advanced to monogamy with one faithful partner so there was a clear heir which benefited capitalism as the money stays within the Bourgeoisie and women are seen as possessions (chattels)

Question 8

Marxists on the role of the family:

Evaluation

Answer 8

seen as outdated
fails to consider social divisions such as gender, ethnicity
only focuses on western societies

Question 9

What are the 5 types of Feminism?

Answer 9

Liberal
Black
Marxist
Radical 
Post

Question 10

Radical Feminism on the role of the family:

DELPHY AND LEONARD (1992)

Answer 10

men are regarded as head of the household making key decisions, controlling finances and properties
Women contribute more through unpaid domestic work as well as the triple shift
Nuclear family represents patriarchal control

Question 11

Marxist Feminism on the role of the family:

BENSTON (1972)

Answer 11

women renew mens ability to go out and work through domestic work
socialise and care for children producing the next generation of workers
exploited to benefit men and capitalism

Question 12

Liberal Feminism on the role of the family:

SOMERVILLE (2000)

Answer 12

process of gradual reform is more effective

can now marry, cohabit, be single mothers or be a lesbian relationship if they chose too.

Question 13

New Right on the role of the family:

MURRAY (1990)

Answer 13

Underclass has emerged
Blames the government as they reward irresponsible behaviour by giving over generous welfare benefits
Cohabitation, children outside of marriage and divorce have become too socially acceptable
Growing up without a father figure makes children more likely to turn to crime

Question 14

New Right on the role of the family:

DENNIS AND ERDOS (2000)

Answer 14

Children raised by single mothers have lower educational attainment
Develop into immature, irresponsible and anti social
Poorer health than children from two parent families
Grow up without learning that adulthood involves taking responsibility for a wife and children

Question 15

What percent of marriages were remarriages in 1940 and then in 2012?

Answer 15

9%

34%

Question 16

What percentage were civil partnerships in 2012?

Answer 16

70%

Question 17

What has happened to marriage over time?

Answer 17

Marriage rate has declined and greater numbers of remarriage
Marriage at a later age

Question 18

Explanations of changing patterns of marriage and cohabitation:
Continuing importance of marriage

Answer 18

Evidence for some it is still important
People are delaying marriage not rejecting it
Women more career orientated and typically waiting till after 30
Many who cohabit go on to marry
In 2012 around a third of marriages were remarriages for one or both partners
18.2 million families in 2013 with around 12 million being married

Question 19

Explanations of changing patterns of marriage and cohabitation:
The changing role of women

Answer 19

Feminists often see marriage as a patriarchal institution
SHARPE - the changing attitudes of women and their priorities
LANGFORD - women fear being alone with love as a natural basis for a relationship but in reality it conceals how men exercise power. Suggests women have not given up on the search for love
GREER - decline is a positive as women no longer accept oppression from their husbands

Question 20

Explanations of changing patterns of marriage and cohabitation:
Changing social attitudes

Answer 20

Up until the 60’s there was social pressure to marry and if women were pregnant before marriage they would marry the father or put it up for adoption but now this is more socially acceptable
British social attitudes society(1989)
72% agreed or strongly agreed that couples who want children should be married but in 2012 this dropped to 42% and 75% saw sex before marriage as not wrong at all

Question 21

Explanations of changing patterns of marriage and cohabitation:
Cohabitation as a alternative
(JAMIESON et al 2002)

Answer 21

Questions individualist view that cohabitation represents a reduced willingness to create life long partnerships
Found many saw it as a ‘try and see’ strategy in a survey of 20-29 year olds
Does not represent the turning away from commuted relationships

Question 22

What are the trends of single person households?

Answer 22

People living alone in large numbers for the first time in history
Increasing proportion remaining single
Some choose to remain single
Often not there for whole life

Question 23

Explanations for increase in single person households:

Klinenburg (2013)

Answer 23

Cult of the individual

Now focused on own needs

Question 24

Explanations for increase in single person households:

Hall et all (1999)

Answer 24

Freedom in being single

Question 25

Explanations for increase in single person households:

Smith (2005)

Answer 25

Found that between 1991 and 2002 only 7% remained living alone

Question 26

Explanations for increase in single person households:

Answer 26

Ageing population meaning increase in elderly livening on there own
Being single no longer has a negative status
Scottish household survey
Of those living alone 59% has visited family in the last 2 weeks

Question 27

What has happened to divorce rates?

Answer 27

Increased

Question 28

What is the divorce rate?

Answer 28

2.1 per 1000 adults

Question 29

When was the peak of divorces?

Answer 29

1993

Question 30

What percentage of marriages end in divorce?

Answer 30

42%

Question 31

Explanations of divorce trends:
Legislation
What is the 1857 matrimonial causes act?

Answer 31

Divorce courts set up on the grounds of adultery, cruelty and desertion of which proof was needed
Women could not get a divorce with adultery alone until 1923

Question 32

Explanations of divorce trends:
Legislation
1937 matrimonial causes act

Answer 32

Extended grounds of divorce to drunkenness and insanity

Question 33

Explanations of divorce trends:
Legislation
1949 Legal Aid and Advice Act

Answer 33

Provided financial help for legal fees

Question 34

Explanations of divorce trends:
Legislation
1969 Divorce Reform Act

Answer 34

No longer had to prove offences
Only had to show it had broken down
More accessible
Allowed judges to deal with cases without attending court

Question 35

Explanations of divorce trends:
Legislation
1984 Matrimonial Proceedings Act

Answer 35

Reduces time couple had to be married form three years to one year

Question 36

Explanations of divorce trends:
Legislation
1996 Family Law Act

Answer 36

Had to be married for 18 months
Period of reflection
Marriage counselling required
Children’s wishes and financial arrangments
Abandoned as it appeared to encourage divorce

Question 37

Explanations of divorce trends:
Legislation
2011 Practice Direction 3A

Answer 37

Under take mediation before permitted to go to court

Question 38

Explanations of divorce trends:

Changing social attitudes

Answer 38

GIBSON- process of secularisation has decreased the influence of the church’s teachings on life long marriage
CHAMBERS - stigma has disappeared as there is still belief that divorce leads to bad parenting
Now more socially acceptable