Family- AQA GCSE Sociology

families where the father has seperated from their parent and lives with their children

where a couple lives tigether but aren’t married

a family that consists of a married couple with their own biological children

a family that consists of multiple generations; may or may not live together

two or more people that aren’t inherently related by blood or legal obligations, bt live under the same roof

having more than one partner at the same time

where one husband has more than one wife

where one wife has multiple husbands

The Middle East and in Mormonism

Tibet

marriages where parents find a suitor for their child; based on consent- this practice is common in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan

being in a relationship with just one person

the act of being married to more than one person- this is illegal and can lead to 7 years in prison

where you’re married to one person but you get divorced, seperated or widowed and then remarried

where everyone shares possessions and accomodations; based on political beliefs and environmental principles and the interpersonal relationships are based on equality- commonly found in the USA during the 60s

Judaism-based communes where everything is shared amongst the inhabitants

the domestic roles of married partners

how the domestic roles are allocated in the home

there’s been a change from segregated roles and relationships to conjugal roles over time

partners don’t share tasks, they have different friends and leisure activities and they have different roles

both partners are likely to be in employment, household tasks are shared and are flexible, they have the same friends and leisure activities

Parsons believes that roles are allocated by gender- women take up the expressive role and men the breadwinner- because of biological differences, such as women bearing children, which Parsons argues creates a strong bond

this reduces the role of women and creates a barrier between their chance to work and get a job

belief of being slaves to your husband doesn’t allow for a equal power dynamic; felt as if their voice was limited, increases their vunerability

In the 70s, the pair studied W/C families in London and found that the family is becoming more symmetrical; shared roles, more home-centred and warmer relationships, shared finances and decision making and a larger focus on the nuclear family

Traditional: segregated roles and women were in charge of the household, leisure time was spent seperately, finances were decided by the breadwinner and wider family relationships were much stronger
Symmetrical: input was equal, leisure time was spent together, financial decisions were equal and the nuclear family became a bigger focus

- Increase in contraception means that women can decide when they have children and can focus on their career
- More interest in home life and tech advancements means that there are more home based leisure opportunities
- Women are more financially independent and have more equality and status both in and out of the home

Wilmott and Young found evidence of a symmetrical family, Gatrel found evidence of fathers taking a more active role in childcare and some sociologists argued that the ‘new man’ was emerging in the 90s

Anne Oakley found little evidence of symmetry, some Feminists argue that women take a triple shift and Scott and Cleary found men and women don’t compete on equal terms due to gender inequalities at home

They see the family as patriarchal and believe that women are exploited through domestic labour, the double shift and leisure time

Financial support and independence, use of contraception, Divorce Reform Act 1969, Marriage Act 2013, Equal Pay Act 1970 etc

changing gender roles, employment opportunities and secularisation

longer life expectancy, reduced stigmatisation, cost effective

regulates sex, teaches children how to be a part of society, provides for members of the family and introduces new members to society

Primary socialisation and SOAP

maintains a stable and harmonious society

They ignore dysfunction, class and ethnic differences and they assume that all members of the family benefit

the family supports capitalism and continues social class inequalities