PAPER 1 SECTION B - FAMILY

Question 1

Section B:
Option 1: Families and relationships
The ideology of the nuclear family and the theoretical debates about the role and desirability of the nuclear family in contemporary society:
• functionalism • New Right
• Marxism

Question 2

According to Parsons, why is the nuclear family equipped to meet the needs of an industrial society?

Answer 2

Parsons argues that the nuclear family is better equipped to meet the needs of an indstrial society.

1. GEOGRAPHICALLY MOBILE WORKFORCE
   In modern society, the nuclear family became the nor as more job opporuntites became avaliable. It’s easier to move away with imediate family.
   In pre-industrial society, extended families were the norm as people stayed in the same place ie same farm.
2. SOCIALLY MOBILE WORKFORCE
   In modern society, an indiviudual’s status is achieved by their own efforts and ability, NOT by their social and family background. This makes social mobility possible.
   For example, a father can be the CEO of a company as that’s his ascribed status, and is able to to place his son in a higher position, which would be the son’s achieved status.

Question 3

How does family change, according to Parsons?

Answer 3

Parsons argued that the nuclear family in modern society has lost some functions. The only two that remain are:

1. Primary socaliasation - Teaching children the norms and values of society.
2. ‘The Warm Bath theory’ // Stabilisation of adults - Family is a place where adults relax and release tensions from work in order to return to work the next working day. It’s essential for the economy.

Question 4

According to functionalists, how did we get from pre industrial society to industrial society?

Answer 4

Pre industrial consisted of:
⊛ A mainly agricultural economy
⊛ Extended families
⊛ Labour - intensive production
⊛Family as producers

Then, industrialsation, urbanisation & technical development helped form an industrial society.

Industiral society consists of
⊛ A mainly manufacturing economy
⊛ Nuclear families being the norm
⊛ Machine intensive productions
⊛Family as consumers