Lecture notes
AQA Sociology - Families and Households (Topic Six - Family Patterns)
- Institution
- AQA
Contains the lecture notes from the AQA Sociology Paper Two Families and Households Topic Six Family Diversity.
[Show more]
Content preview
FINCH & MASON – women are expected to help within the family – helping elderly parents. Toprovide support – extended family.
TOPIC SIX – FAMILY DIVERSITY:
Modernism and the nuclear family
FUNCTIONALISM:
They see modern society as having a fairly fixed, clear-cut, predictable structure. They see the
structure as helping to maintain essential functions.
PARSONS – argues that there is a ‘functional fit’ between the nuclear family and modern society. He
stated the family has 2 ‘irreducible functions that contribute to the social stability of society:
1. The primary socialisation of children
2. Stabilisation of adult personalities
Functionalists don’t like family diversity, they much prefer the nuclear family which they see fit for
functions of society, such as the division of labour between husbands and wives. This means they
see other family structures as ‘dysfunctional’, broken, abnormal, or deviant since they are less able
to fill the expectations of family.
THE NEW RIGHT:
They take a conservative and ‘anti-feminist’ approach to the family and are firmly opposed to family
diversity. They see the nuclear family as the only ideal family type for society as they see this family
as the most natural as it is based on biological differences (men and women).
The new right do not like lone parent families as they see them harmful to children. This is because
women are not able to discipline their children properly while leaving sons without an appropriate
male figure which may result in (SEWELL) violence, gangs, drugs, etc…
CRITICISMS:
- OAKLEY (feminism) argues that the idea of biological differences being the reasoning for
labour division is an assumption.
- Feminists argue that the conventional nuclear family doesn’t benefit the female population
in society as they are oppressed by marriage which is patriarchal
- No evidence suggests that children in lone parent families will be delinquents
THE NEO-CONVENTIONAL FAMILY:
CHESTER (1985) argues that there has been an increase in family diversity, however unlike the new
right, he does not see this diversity as a significant impact on society.
CHESTER defines neo-conventional family as dual earner family where both spouses go out to work
(similar to YOUNG & WILLMOTT symmetrical family). He also argues many want to have nuclear
family structures and aren’t lone parent by choice; Nuclear family is still the most ideal family type.
CHESTER also stated that those living in one person households either were in a nuclear family
previously or have not been married. CHESTER believes that diversity is over-exaggerated by the
New Right and stated patterns showing lack of change;
1. Most couples live in a household headed by a married couple
2. Most adults marry and have children, most children are reared by their two natural parents
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller romanyphillips. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £3.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
73091 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now
