Families and Households - AQA A-level Sociology:
A* Essays
1. Evaluate sociological explanations of the relationship of the family
to the social structure and social change, with particular reference
to the economy and to state policies.
2. Evaluate sociological explanations of changing patterns of marriage,
cohabitation, separation, divorce, childbearing and the life course.
3. Evaluate sociological explanations of gender roles, domestic labour
and power relationships within the family in contemporary society.
4. Evaluate the view that the nature of childhood and the status of
children in society have changed over time.
5. Evaluate the impact of demographic trends in the UK since 1900,
including birth and death rates, family size, life expectancy, the
ageing population, and migration.
1. Evaluate sociological explanations of the relationship of the
family to the social structure and social change, with particular
reference to the economy and to state policies.
Sociologists have long debated the relationship between the family and
wider social structures, particularly the economy and state policies.
Functionalist and Marxist perspectives tend to highlight how the family
contributes to the stability or reproduction of the wider social system,
while feminist and postmodern perspectives critique these structural
accounts for ignoring diversity and change. While the economy and state
policies have clearly influenced family life, explanations must also take
into account the increasing agency of individuals and the changing
meanings of family.
Functionalists such as Parsons argue that the family has evolved to meet
the needs of society, particularly through industrialisation. He claimed
that the nuclear family became dominant in response to the economic
changes of industrial society, where the isolated nuclear family unit was
best suited to the needs of a geographically and socially mobile
workforce. This functional fit theory suggests that the structure of the
family is determined by the needs of the economy. However, this view has
been criticised for being overly deterministic and ignoring the persistence
of extended family networks in working-class communities, as found by
Wilmott and Young.
, Marxist perspectives argue that the family plays a role in maintaining
capitalism. Engels claimed the monogamous nuclear family developed to
pass on private property, reproducing inequality. Althusser and Zaretsky
further argue that the family is an ideological apparatus which teaches
norms and values beneficial to capitalism, and provides an emotional
release for workers without challenging exploitation. This links the family
closely to the economic structure. However, critics argue Marxism ignores
family diversity and that not all families are shaped by capitalist needs in
the same way.
State policies also influence family life. Feminists argue that policies often
reinforce traditional gender roles—for example, tax breaks for married
couples or lack of sufficient childcare support assume women’s role as
caregivers. Donzelot’s view of the ‘policing of families’ also suggests the
state exerts control over working-class families through social workers
and health visitors. However, New Right thinkers support policies that
promote the traditional nuclear family and blame state ‘overreach’ for
declining family values. This shows how political ideologies influence
family policy.
Postmodernists and the sociology of personal life emphasise the
increasing diversity of family forms and the role of individual agency. Beck
argues that we live in a risk society where individuals must construct their
own lives, leading to more diverse family forms. Giddens points to the rise
of ‘confluent love’ and the pure relationship, based on choice rather than
duty. These perspectives suggest that while structural factors like the
economy and policy shape options, individuals increasingly shape family
life.
In conclusion, the family is deeply connected to social structures like the
economy and state, and these have played a major role in shaping family
forms and experiences. However, structural explanations often ignore the
diversity and personal meanings of family in late modern society. A
complete explanation must combine structural influence with individual
agency and cultural change.
2. Evaluate sociological explanations of changing patterns of
marriage, cohabitation, separation, divorce, childbearing and the
life course.
In recent decades, there have been significant changes in patterns of
marriage, cohabitation, divorce, childbearing and the overall family life
A* Essays
1. Evaluate sociological explanations of the relationship of the family
to the social structure and social change, with particular reference
to the economy and to state policies.
2. Evaluate sociological explanations of changing patterns of marriage,
cohabitation, separation, divorce, childbearing and the life course.
3. Evaluate sociological explanations of gender roles, domestic labour
and power relationships within the family in contemporary society.
4. Evaluate the view that the nature of childhood and the status of
children in society have changed over time.
5. Evaluate the impact of demographic trends in the UK since 1900,
including birth and death rates, family size, life expectancy, the
ageing population, and migration.
1. Evaluate sociological explanations of the relationship of the
family to the social structure and social change, with particular
reference to the economy and to state policies.
Sociologists have long debated the relationship between the family and
wider social structures, particularly the economy and state policies.
Functionalist and Marxist perspectives tend to highlight how the family
contributes to the stability or reproduction of the wider social system,
while feminist and postmodern perspectives critique these structural
accounts for ignoring diversity and change. While the economy and state
policies have clearly influenced family life, explanations must also take
into account the increasing agency of individuals and the changing
meanings of family.
Functionalists such as Parsons argue that the family has evolved to meet
the needs of society, particularly through industrialisation. He claimed
that the nuclear family became dominant in response to the economic
changes of industrial society, where the isolated nuclear family unit was
best suited to the needs of a geographically and socially mobile
workforce. This functional fit theory suggests that the structure of the
family is determined by the needs of the economy. However, this view has
been criticised for being overly deterministic and ignoring the persistence
of extended family networks in working-class communities, as found by
Wilmott and Young.
, Marxist perspectives argue that the family plays a role in maintaining
capitalism. Engels claimed the monogamous nuclear family developed to
pass on private property, reproducing inequality. Althusser and Zaretsky
further argue that the family is an ideological apparatus which teaches
norms and values beneficial to capitalism, and provides an emotional
release for workers without challenging exploitation. This links the family
closely to the economic structure. However, critics argue Marxism ignores
family diversity and that not all families are shaped by capitalist needs in
the same way.
State policies also influence family life. Feminists argue that policies often
reinforce traditional gender roles—for example, tax breaks for married
couples or lack of sufficient childcare support assume women’s role as
caregivers. Donzelot’s view of the ‘policing of families’ also suggests the
state exerts control over working-class families through social workers
and health visitors. However, New Right thinkers support policies that
promote the traditional nuclear family and blame state ‘overreach’ for
declining family values. This shows how political ideologies influence
family policy.
Postmodernists and the sociology of personal life emphasise the
increasing diversity of family forms and the role of individual agency. Beck
argues that we live in a risk society where individuals must construct their
own lives, leading to more diverse family forms. Giddens points to the rise
of ‘confluent love’ and the pure relationship, based on choice rather than
duty. These perspectives suggest that while structural factors like the
economy and policy shape options, individuals increasingly shape family
life.
In conclusion, the family is deeply connected to social structures like the
economy and state, and these have played a major role in shaping family
forms and experiences. However, structural explanations often ignore the
diversity and personal meanings of family in late modern society. A
complete explanation must combine structural influence with individual
agency and cultural change.
2. Evaluate sociological explanations of changing patterns of
marriage, cohabitation, separation, divorce, childbearing and the
life course.
In recent decades, there have been significant changes in patterns of
marriage, cohabitation, divorce, childbearing and the overall family life
