This research was supported by Melford and Spiro. In the article “is the family universal” they discussed about the attributes of the Kibbutz community. This was a collectivist in Israel whom had slightly different living arrangement in comparison to nuclear family. However, when examining the aspects of Murdock’s definition of the family, there are certain differences and similarities to theKibbutz community. For example, Murdock argued that the family socialised children. Alternatively, in the Kibbutz community most socialisation is transmitted by nurses and teachers. Spiro justifiably reasoned that parents assume that the ultimate responsibility for the children’s socialisation by ensuring staff rear them according to acceptable guidelines. Although, there may be differences and similarities between the Kibbutz and nuclear families, Spiro’s research suggest there might be a possibility to accept Murdock’s definition by regarding the Kibbutz as one family.
Furthermore, time is a vital element when considering whether the definition is accurate or not. Although Murdock’s classification excludes modern families, it may be legitimately argued that such contemporary units didn’t exist in the 1949. For example, the civil partnership was recently accepted in Today’s society. Therefore, Murdock was correct in assuming that they would not be categorised as a family.
Although, nuclear family is not universal, sociologist should not examine the definition of the family. Instead, they should examine other different units, such as an extended family and what functions they can perform for the society. As David Held argued that sociologist should not generalise from their own time, place and experience.
1b. Discuss reasons for the inqcreasing divorce rates in Britain (24 marks)
The term ‘divorce rate’ refers to the frequency of divorce per year in Britain. Since the 1960’s there has been a great increase in the number of divorces in the United Kingdom. Interestingly, sociologists have offered justifiable explanations to the increasing divorce rates in Britain. Divorce was quite difficult to acquire the 19th century, particularly for women. Progressively, amendments in laws made divorce easier to obtain. For example, when the grounds were equalised for both men and women, this contributed to the rapid rise in number of divorce petitions from women. However, although the changes in divorce given people the autonomy to divorce more easily, this does not explain why people should take advantage of this opportunity. To explain the rise in divorce individuals must look at other reasons to the rise of divorce too. These include public attitudes to divorce.
Mitchell and Goody identified that the rapid change since the 1960’s has been the decline in marriage. Stigma declines and divorce became socially acceptable, which enabled couples to seek divorce as the means of solving their marital problems. The fact that divorce begins to normalise reduces the stigma attached to it. Instead of this being ‘shameful’, today it considered to be a ‘misfortune’ However, certain sociologist disagreed as to what today’s high divorce rate tells us about marriage and divorce. New Right reasoned that the high divorce rates were undesirable for the society as it undermines the traditional nuclear family. The believed that divorce create the culture dependency on welfare benefits, and leaves boys without the adult male as the role model they need.
Subsequently, secularisation, contributed to the increasing divorce rates. This refers to be decline in the influence of religion in the society. As an outcome, traditional oppositions of church have a different attitude to divorce, and people are less likely to be influenced by religious teachings when seeking for divorce. For example, according to census data, 43% young people with no religion were cohabitating as against only 34%of Christians. Alternatively, certain sociologist challenged whether secularisation is occurring, and point to number of first time marriages taking place in religious context, and changes made by Church of England to allow divorced couple re-marry. This is decisively suggests that there is still a demand for religious weddings, even amongst those who have been divorced before.
Many women are now financially independent from their husbands due to better education and career prospect. Therefore, this gives them the greater freedom to end unsatisfactory marriage. Notably, the growing impact of feminist view on family that family is suppressive patriarchal institution may perhaps also discourage women from getting married. However, feminist argue that the fact that women are now wage earners and homemakers has led to a conflict between husband and wives and leading to divorce. Feminist also argued that marriage still remains patriarchal, as men benefit from their wives’ domestic labour and emotion work etc. This indicates that the changing in women’s position is problematic in marriage.
Although, there justifiable explanations to the increasing divorce rates in Britain, sociologist fail to identify the noticeable underlying causes of divorce. For example, In 2007-8, 84% of recorded domestic abuse incidents were violence against a woman committed by a man. Therefore, sociologist should not generalise from their own understanding.
