AQA A Level Sociology - Families and
Households - Full cards with correct
answers 2025
Murdock-(1949)---correct-answers--Argue-that-the-family-is-universal-in-a-nuclear-family-with-a-
heterosexual-couple-and-dependent-children.-
There-is-a-clear-division-of-labour-between-husband-and-wife---the-husband-is-the-breadwinner-
who-earns-for-the-family-and-the-wife-is-the-housewife-who-does-domestic-labour-and-childcare.-
He-argue-that-there-are-4-essential-functions-that-the-family-performs.
Reproductive-function---correct-answers--Essential-for-the-survival-of-society-and-without-
reproduction,-it-would-cease-to-exist
Sexual-function---correct-answers--This-creates-a-powerful-emotional-bond-between-husband-and-
wife-which-encourage-fidelity-and-commitment-to-family-life.-It-contributes-to-stability-within-the-
family-as-it-sets-out-the-moral-rules.
Economic-function---correct-answers--provide-economic-things-which-are-vital-for-sustaining-
children-lives-for-example,-shelter,-food-and-protection.
Parents-take-responsibility-for-their-welfare-by-bringing-home-an-income,
.
,Educational-function---correct-answers--this-is-done-through-primary-socialization-which-is-
necessary-to-fit-into-society.-This-is-by-learning-norms-and-values.-Culture-can-be-passed-from-
generation-to-generation.
Criticisms-of-Murdock---correct-answers----the-definition-of-family-is-a-'product-of-time'-and-is-
ethnocentric-(based-on-view-on-Western-families).-
--Interprevists-argue-that-he-is-value-laden-where-he-fails-to-acknowledge-that-families-are-the-
'product-of-culture'.
--also-very-dated-and-fails-to-take-account-of-moderns-social-processes.
--largely-correct-that-the-family-are-the-fundamental-building-blocks-of-society-and-most-sees-it-as-
the-most-important-aspect.
Parsons-(1955)-'Irreducible-Functions'-theory---correct-answers--Argue-that-in-the-past,-the-family-
was-a-'multi-functional'-unit-where-it-was-the-'jack-of-all-trades'.-Now,-there-are-only-two-
'irreducible-functions-that-the-family-performs:-the-primary-socialization-of-children-and-the-
stablisation-of-adult-personalities.
Parsons-(1955)-'Functional-Fit'-theory---correct-answers--He-also-argue-the-type-of-society-will-
depend-on-the-structure-of-the-family.-He-argue-that-the-nuclear-family-is-'functionally-fit'-in-
modern-industrial-society-and-the-extended-family-is-'functionally-fit'-in-the-pre-industrial-
traditional-society.-There-are-two-reasons-behind-this.
Geographical-mobile-workforce---correct-answers--In-the-past,-people-stayed-in-the-same-places-
but-in-modern-society,-as-businesses-and-jobs-move-so-does-the-family.-This-means-that-the-
nuclear-family-is-much-easier-as-it-is-more-small-and-compact.
Social-mobile-workforce---correct-answers--Modern-society-is-now-achieved-because-of-rapid-
technological-changes.-This-means-a-son-can-have-a-higher-status-than-his-father-which-results-in-
tension-and-conflict.-The-adult-son-would-move-out-and-start-his-own-nuclear-family.
,Criticisms-of-Parsons---correct-answers----accused-of-idealizing-the-family.
--Fails-to-explore-possible-differences-between-different-social-classes-and-ethnic-minority-groups.
--His-beliefs-are-'basic-and-irreducible'-which-prevents-him-from-examining-alternatives.
--He-sees-socialisation-as-a-one-way-process.
--sees-it-as-a-distinct-institution-which-is-separated-from-aspects-of-social-life.
The-New-Right-perspective-of-the-Family---correct-answers--They-argue-that-the-growth-of-family-
diversity-are-the-main-causes-of-family-diversity-and-holds-the-view-that-there-is-only-one-'correct-
type'-of-family---the-nuclear-family.-They-believe-that-the-introduction-of-the-welfare-state-have-led-
to-a-dependency-culture.
Criticisms-of-the-New-Right---correct-answers----Exaggerates-the-decline-of-the-nuclear-family.
--Feminists-argue-that-gender-roles-are-socially-constructed-and-argues-against-the-argument-of-
divorce-being-bad.
--Most-single-parents-are-not-welfare-scroungers-and-that-it-is-difficult-to-work.
--Chester-argue-that-most-children-are-in-a-nuclear-family-arrangement.
Marxist-perspective-on-the-Family---correct-answers--They-argue-that-society-are-contributing-
towards-capitalism-and-maintaining-class-inequality.-This-includes-the-family
Inheritance-of-property---correct-answers--Engels-argue-that-in-the-primitive-communison,-there-
was-no-private-property-and-there-was-no-restrictions-on-sexual-relationship-which-was-called-a-
promiscuous-horde.-As-the-capitalist-system-developed,-father-needed-their-legitimate-heirs-to-
pass-down-their-wealth-and-their-private-property-which-have-created-the-monogamous-nuclear-
family.
Ideological-functions---correct-answers--Argue-that-the-family-performs-key-ideological-functions-
for-capitalism.
--Does-this-by-socializing-children-telling-them-that-hierarchy-and-inequality-are-inevitable
, --Zaretsky-(1976)-argue-that-the-family-performs-ideological-functions-by-providing-an-apparent-
from-the-harsh-and-exploitative-world-of-capitalism.
--Focused-on-how-the-family-helped-the-capitalist-economy-where-the-proletariat-having-power-
and-control.
Unit-of-consumption---correct-answers--Plays-a-major-role-into-generating-profit-from-bourgeoisie-
as-it-is-an-important-market-for-goods-sales.
--Urges-families-to-consume-the-latest-products.
--The-media-targets-children
--Must-be-mocked-and-stigmatized-by-peers-for-not-having-the-latest-product.
Benefits-capitalism-and-profit-not-for-society.
Marxist-Feminists---correct-answers----sees-the-family-as-a-major-obstacle-for-female-emancipation.
--argue-that-the-family-is-patriarchal-and-the-motion-of-equality-is-a-myth.
--argue-that-domestic-labour-serves-the-capitalist-and-exploitative-society.
--the-obstacle-to-gender-equality-in-employment-as-they-are-a-reserve-army-of-labour.
--argue-that-husband-pays-for-production-to-upkeep-the-future-labour.
--ANSLEY-(1972)-argue-that-emotional-support-acts-as-safety-value.-The-frustration-is-absorbed-by-
the-wife-increasing-domestic-violence.
--COOPER-(1972)-argue-the-family-is-an-ideological-conditioning-device.
--FEELEY-(1972)-argue-the-structure-of-family-relationship-socializes-children-to-be-accepted-in-a-
class-based-society.
Criticisms-of-Marxist-Feminists---correct-answers----MORGAN-argue-that-nuclear-family-are-now-
becoming-less-common.
--Ignores-fact-that-women-have-made-progress.
--Exaggerate-harm-caused-to-women-and-neglects-effects-of-non-family-relationships.
--Tends-to-portray-as-passive-victims-of-capitalism-and-exploitation.
Households - Full cards with correct
answers 2025
Murdock-(1949)---correct-answers--Argue-that-the-family-is-universal-in-a-nuclear-family-with-a-
heterosexual-couple-and-dependent-children.-
There-is-a-clear-division-of-labour-between-husband-and-wife---the-husband-is-the-breadwinner-
who-earns-for-the-family-and-the-wife-is-the-housewife-who-does-domestic-labour-and-childcare.-
He-argue-that-there-are-4-essential-functions-that-the-family-performs.
Reproductive-function---correct-answers--Essential-for-the-survival-of-society-and-without-
reproduction,-it-would-cease-to-exist
Sexual-function---correct-answers--This-creates-a-powerful-emotional-bond-between-husband-and-
wife-which-encourage-fidelity-and-commitment-to-family-life.-It-contributes-to-stability-within-the-
family-as-it-sets-out-the-moral-rules.
Economic-function---correct-answers--provide-economic-things-which-are-vital-for-sustaining-
children-lives-for-example,-shelter,-food-and-protection.
Parents-take-responsibility-for-their-welfare-by-bringing-home-an-income,
.
,Educational-function---correct-answers--this-is-done-through-primary-socialization-which-is-
necessary-to-fit-into-society.-This-is-by-learning-norms-and-values.-Culture-can-be-passed-from-
generation-to-generation.
Criticisms-of-Murdock---correct-answers----the-definition-of-family-is-a-'product-of-time'-and-is-
ethnocentric-(based-on-view-on-Western-families).-
--Interprevists-argue-that-he-is-value-laden-where-he-fails-to-acknowledge-that-families-are-the-
'product-of-culture'.
--also-very-dated-and-fails-to-take-account-of-moderns-social-processes.
--largely-correct-that-the-family-are-the-fundamental-building-blocks-of-society-and-most-sees-it-as-
the-most-important-aspect.
Parsons-(1955)-'Irreducible-Functions'-theory---correct-answers--Argue-that-in-the-past,-the-family-
was-a-'multi-functional'-unit-where-it-was-the-'jack-of-all-trades'.-Now,-there-are-only-two-
'irreducible-functions-that-the-family-performs:-the-primary-socialization-of-children-and-the-
stablisation-of-adult-personalities.
Parsons-(1955)-'Functional-Fit'-theory---correct-answers--He-also-argue-the-type-of-society-will-
depend-on-the-structure-of-the-family.-He-argue-that-the-nuclear-family-is-'functionally-fit'-in-
modern-industrial-society-and-the-extended-family-is-'functionally-fit'-in-the-pre-industrial-
traditional-society.-There-are-two-reasons-behind-this.
Geographical-mobile-workforce---correct-answers--In-the-past,-people-stayed-in-the-same-places-
but-in-modern-society,-as-businesses-and-jobs-move-so-does-the-family.-This-means-that-the-
nuclear-family-is-much-easier-as-it-is-more-small-and-compact.
Social-mobile-workforce---correct-answers--Modern-society-is-now-achieved-because-of-rapid-
technological-changes.-This-means-a-son-can-have-a-higher-status-than-his-father-which-results-in-
tension-and-conflict.-The-adult-son-would-move-out-and-start-his-own-nuclear-family.
,Criticisms-of-Parsons---correct-answers----accused-of-idealizing-the-family.
--Fails-to-explore-possible-differences-between-different-social-classes-and-ethnic-minority-groups.
--His-beliefs-are-'basic-and-irreducible'-which-prevents-him-from-examining-alternatives.
--He-sees-socialisation-as-a-one-way-process.
--sees-it-as-a-distinct-institution-which-is-separated-from-aspects-of-social-life.
The-New-Right-perspective-of-the-Family---correct-answers--They-argue-that-the-growth-of-family-
diversity-are-the-main-causes-of-family-diversity-and-holds-the-view-that-there-is-only-one-'correct-
type'-of-family---the-nuclear-family.-They-believe-that-the-introduction-of-the-welfare-state-have-led-
to-a-dependency-culture.
Criticisms-of-the-New-Right---correct-answers----Exaggerates-the-decline-of-the-nuclear-family.
--Feminists-argue-that-gender-roles-are-socially-constructed-and-argues-against-the-argument-of-
divorce-being-bad.
--Most-single-parents-are-not-welfare-scroungers-and-that-it-is-difficult-to-work.
--Chester-argue-that-most-children-are-in-a-nuclear-family-arrangement.
Marxist-perspective-on-the-Family---correct-answers--They-argue-that-society-are-contributing-
towards-capitalism-and-maintaining-class-inequality.-This-includes-the-family
Inheritance-of-property---correct-answers--Engels-argue-that-in-the-primitive-communison,-there-
was-no-private-property-and-there-was-no-restrictions-on-sexual-relationship-which-was-called-a-
promiscuous-horde.-As-the-capitalist-system-developed,-father-needed-their-legitimate-heirs-to-
pass-down-their-wealth-and-their-private-property-which-have-created-the-monogamous-nuclear-
family.
Ideological-functions---correct-answers--Argue-that-the-family-performs-key-ideological-functions-
for-capitalism.
--Does-this-by-socializing-children-telling-them-that-hierarchy-and-inequality-are-inevitable
, --Zaretsky-(1976)-argue-that-the-family-performs-ideological-functions-by-providing-an-apparent-
from-the-harsh-and-exploitative-world-of-capitalism.
--Focused-on-how-the-family-helped-the-capitalist-economy-where-the-proletariat-having-power-
and-control.
Unit-of-consumption---correct-answers--Plays-a-major-role-into-generating-profit-from-bourgeoisie-
as-it-is-an-important-market-for-goods-sales.
--Urges-families-to-consume-the-latest-products.
--The-media-targets-children
--Must-be-mocked-and-stigmatized-by-peers-for-not-having-the-latest-product.
Benefits-capitalism-and-profit-not-for-society.
Marxist-Feminists---correct-answers----sees-the-family-as-a-major-obstacle-for-female-emancipation.
--argue-that-the-family-is-patriarchal-and-the-motion-of-equality-is-a-myth.
--argue-that-domestic-labour-serves-the-capitalist-and-exploitative-society.
--the-obstacle-to-gender-equality-in-employment-as-they-are-a-reserve-army-of-labour.
--argue-that-husband-pays-for-production-to-upkeep-the-future-labour.
--ANSLEY-(1972)-argue-that-emotional-support-acts-as-safety-value.-The-frustration-is-absorbed-by-
the-wife-increasing-domestic-violence.
--COOPER-(1972)-argue-the-family-is-an-ideological-conditioning-device.
--FEELEY-(1972)-argue-the-structure-of-family-relationship-socializes-children-to-be-accepted-in-a-
class-based-society.
Criticisms-of-Marxist-Feminists---correct-answers----MORGAN-argue-that-nuclear-family-are-now-
becoming-less-common.
--Ignores-fact-that-women-have-made-progress.
--Exaggerate-harm-caused-to-women-and-neglects-effects-of-non-family-relationships.
--Tends-to-portray-as-passive-victims-of-capitalism-and-exploitation.
