Unit 2 Outcome 2: Family

Question 1

Patriarchy

Answer 1

A social structure with males holding power over women, and males placed as head of the family unit.

Question 2

Functionalism

Answer 2

A macro-level sociological perspective that interprets and evaluates the social actions of people in terms of their contributions to the essential tasks or functions in maintaining stable society.

Question 3

Functionalist view of family (definition)

Answer 3

The view that the family performs certain social functions in order to maintain the status quo. It favours the nuclear family and is conservative in its outlook.

Question 4

Feminism:

Answer 4

A social theory and perspective that advocates for gender equality by opposing sexism and patriarchy.

Question 5

Feminist view of family

Answer 5

Belief that family perpetuates gender inequality through unequal domestic division of labour and patriarchal control.

Question 6

Functionalist view of family breakdown

Answer 6

• Favours the nuclear family
• Role of family is to socialise children
• Provide emotional and economic support
• Favours authoritative parents
• Favours strict or severe punishments by parents

Question 7

Criticisms of the functionalist view:

Answer 7

• Ignores family violence
• Supports unequal division of labour
• Is a declining and conservative view
• Supports severe and harsh discipline

Question 8

Extended family (together):

Answer 8

An extended family sharing the same household.

Question 9

Cohabitation:

Answer 9

A couple living together who aren’t married, including LGBT. Also known as ‘de facto’ living arrangements.

Question 10

Co-parenting:

Answer 10

Refers to a situation in which permanently separated parents live apart but still provide forms of shared support to their children.

Question 11

Extended family (apart):

Answer 11

A family containing relatives in addition to the nuclear family, can so a three or more generations. They often do not live in the same household.

Question 12

Gay or lesbian family:

Answer 12

Same sex couple living together with children

Question 13

Lone parent family

Answer 13

Lone parent (of either gender), with dependant children.

Question 14

Monogamy:

Answer 14

A married couple who have sexual relations with each other.

Question 15

Nuclear family:

Answer 15

A family consisting of an adult male and female with one or more children (including adopted).

Question 16

Polygamy:

Answer 16

A marriage involving two or more wives or husbands. Often religious.

Question 17

Blended Family/Step Family:

Answer 17

Families with mixed parents, with one or both parents remarried, bringing children of the former family into the new family.

Question 18

Theorist for functionalist view of family:

Answer 18

Talcott Parsons

Question 19

Criticisms of feminist view of family:

Answer 19

• Ignores positive aspects of functionalist family.
• Ignores the fact that women may enjoy running the home and raising the kids.
• Neither revolutionary nor radical enough to actually force change and create gender equality.