GCSE Sociology Coursework

Introduction I have decided to study whether boys are more disruptive, in the classroom, than girls. This topic appeals to me because I am still in full time education and find it interesting to analyse the behavioural differences between the two genders and whether this is reflective of recent GCSE results. During my school years experience, I have found males to be more disruptive: calling out; shouting; hitting and physical violence. I think that females are more likely to disrupt the lesson by talking to each other. I would like to study this further; hence my reasons for choosing this topic. Some of the questions I have in my mind at the beginning of my enquiry are whether teaching is biased towards female education. If this is so then this might suggest a reason for high levels of achievement amongst females, in comparison to males. I believe that females out-perform males in schools because they are either more ambitious or more mature. In my opinion, males tend to be less focused and easily distracted, perhaps by females, or just by a lack of interest in the topic at hand. I am going to set

  • Word count: 3108
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Examine the different functions performed by the family for individuals and for society

Examine the different functions performed by the family for individuals and for society. George Murdock is one of the main sociologists that look at the functionalist theory. He came up with the idea that there are 4 basic functions to a family. The first being the sexual function, the second being the reproductive function. Third is the economic function and lastly the educational function. He believed that these were the main functions of a family both for society and the individuals. Some of the functions that are performed by the family that help individuals are; the elders set an example/role model for the younger children and also it will give children a sense of belonging and support. Setting an example for the younger children is good for the child as an individual as it shows them the norms and values of life, so that when they are older they know the rights and wrongs to fit into society. Also the family gives the children a stable environment that they can learn and grow in this helps with knowing what it acceptable in society and what is dysfunctional. As well as giving something to the children as individuals it gives the adults the support that they may need for other things, these two things both give a sense of belonging to the family and to society. The family is good for society as it provides the next generation, as in the reproductive function, and it

  • Word count: 465
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Diversity in Modern Family Life

Diversity in Modern Family Life. Holly Anderson. "Explain and discuss how modern family life is catagorised by diversity." George Peter Murdock (1949) believed that the nuclear family should perform 'vital functions,' namely sexual, economic, reproductive and educational. He argues that 'No society has succeeded in finding an adequate substitute for the nuclear family, to which it might transfer there functions. It is highly doubtful whether any society will ever succeed in such an attempt.' [1.] Functionalists such as Murdock are inclined to ignore any diversity in family life in industrial society. There are few mentions of lone-parent families, cohabiting families and reconstituted families, or a variety of family lifestyles based on class, ethnicity, religion and locality. Of course there are alternatives to these opinions. R.N. Rapoport and R. Rapoport (1982) are critical of the assumption that the nuclear family is the 'ideal' family type. They mention that in 1994 only 20% of nuclear families still named the father as the sole breadwinner and the mother as the home-maker. The Rapoports argue that family life is now charactarised by diversity and that there is now a wide range of family types, other than the nuclear, in British society. The Rapoports believe there are five main elements of family diversity in Great Britain. Organizational, Cultural, Social Class,

  • Word count: 1846
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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For Their Own Survival

For Their Own

  • Word count: 1021
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Britain as a child-centred society

AS SOCIOLOGY BRITAIN AS A CHILD-CENTRED SOCIETY QUESTION:- Using information from the items and elsewhere assess the argument that Britain has evolved into a successful child-centred society. (20 marks) The term 'child-centred' refers to treating the needs of children as a priority over all other concepts. It can be argued that Britain has evolved into a child-centred society when comparing today's society with Aries' research on Medieval Europe. The changes in the way of life accentuate the importance placed on children in today's society. The first and foremost difference which can be realised is that youngsters are referred to as 'children.' Item A also emphasises the point that childhood is seen as a separate stage in life. In Medieval Europe, children both looked and were treated like adults. The fact that this no longer occurs in Britain today shows that it has successfully become a child-centred society. Also, children were previously seen as economic assets who contributed towards the income in the household. In areas such as northern Uganda, children are rejected by their families and made to fend for themselves at the age of three. This is a common practise in the Ik tribe. In Britain today, children are seen as incapable of looking after themselves up until they reach the age of thirteen/fourteen. Education has been made compulsory and the safety of children

  • Word count: 667
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Summary of Sociologists Studies of the Family in India

"The family is a unique institution in that it is at one and the same time both a private and a visibly public institution . It oscillates between the most intimate to the most public in its various contexts ." In common english parlance the word 'family' is used in several different senses. Firstly, it is considered as the "household ,the body of persons who love in one house or under one head ,including parents, children, servants etc." ,secondly as "The group consisting of parents and their children ,whether living together or not ." Thirdly " In wider senses ,all those who are nearly related by blood and affinity ." Lastly ,"Those descended or claiming descent from a common ancestor, a house, kindred, lineage." The four social institutions are clearly related to each other, but they should be clearly distinguished from each other.Tulsi Patel notes that it was then the terms "domestic group" and "household " were introduced as they provided a processual view of the family . The 'elementary family' is "a group composed of a man,his wife and their children' .It is assumed by many writers on indian family ,as well as by many writers on family in general,that the members of an elementary family always live together in the same household gruop such as a joint or extended family. Modern anthropologists have , however shown that thie need not always be the case.For example ,

  • Word count: 928
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Sociology The Family

Family structures and how they have developed over time, as the result of the social changes brought about by industrialisation is of particular interest to those studying the sociology of the family. Three key sociological theories in the study of the family are functionalism, Marxism and feminism. It is the intention of this essay to discuss and evaluate these theories using sociological studies which support these schools of thought. Functionalism describes the family as having its role or function within society. Functionalists normally assume that if a social institution is evident then it must have a role or function. The family is looked at in terms of its functions being beneficial for society and the individual. When a child is born it must be looked after and cared for by, in most societies, the parents of the child. Therefore the function of the family is to look after the next generation and aid them through childhood. The role the family has effectively allows the child to learn many different things for example, language, society, values and norms. Not only does the family support the individual through childhood but for most of adult life. However it is the first few years of life that are important as sociologists argue that this is when an individual's personality is developed. Although the family has the role of passing on social skills and knowledge in

  • Word count: 2082
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Assess the view that the Nuclear Family is no longer the norm'' - Functionalism vs. Post Modernism

Rosalind Cresswell ' Assess the view that the Nuclear Family is no longer the norm'' - Functionalism vs. Post Modernism The Nuclear family is seen as the traditional family and it is made up of a husband, a wife and one or more children, which can be either biological or adopted. In the family the husband is usually the breadwinner and is instrumental towards the children, where as the wife should be responsible for the housework and plays an expressive role towards the children. This is known as a 'cereal packet' family. Murdock a functionalist sociologist (1949) argued that nuclear family is a 'universal social grouping', which can be found in all societies, however according to postmodernists nuclear families are not necessarily the most effective family. One reason that the nuclear family isn't necessarily considered the norm anymore would be an increase in same-sex couples because it has become more socially acceptable as homosexuality was legalised in the UK in 1967. This has meant that there are more same sex couples and they now have the chance to adopt. Technology as well as social acceptance has made major advances recently so gay and lesbian couples are able to use IVF treatment. Functionalist sociologists do not believe that same sex couples would educate a child to the same extent as single sex families however studies of same sex families could not see any

  • Word count: 1129
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Critically examine the relationship between gender, religious participation and religious organisations

Critically examine the relationship between gender, religious participation and religious organisations (40 marks) Gender, religious participation and religious organisations are all linked together, involving religion. Gender is a major part of religion, and it is believed that women are more religious than men. Religious participation is also a big part of religion along with religious organisations. A number of studies have proven different views on the relationship between gender, religious participation and religious organisations. There are a number of religious organisations including; churches, sects, denominations and cults. A number of studies have some that women are more religious then men. Whatever women's influence and status may have been in religious organizations, studies have consistently shown that women are more religious than men. Miller and Hoffmann (1995) report that women are more likely to express a greater interest in religion, have a stronger personal religious commitment and attend church more often. These patterns appear to hold true throughout life, irrespective of the type of religious organisation or religious belief. Miller and Hoffmann believe that females have a lower rate of participation in paid work and this, it is argued, gives women more time for church related activities, and more need for a source of personal identity and

  • Word count: 855
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Why family formations have changed in Britain.

Explain how and why have family formations changed in Britain? Family formations have significantly changed since the late 1960's. Many sociologists have their own theories on why families are important and the functions a family should maintain. Functionalists believe that the main function of the family is to perform vital functions for society to survive. The family has essential functions which it must perform to meet the basic needs of society and its members. G.P Murdock (1949) states that the family performs four basic functions. Sexual-The family provides and controls sexual access to its family members. Reproductive-The family members reproduce at a child bearing age in order for society to have new members. Economic-the family should provide a warm and loving home with the basis needs in order to survive such as food and warmth. The family also teaches us social norms and values needed for economic co-operation. Education-The family sends their children to school which is needed to provide socialisation skills which are essential to pass on to the next generation. Functionalism stresses the positive role of the family. The family is seen as a universal institute that has a key relationship between other social institutes. Functionalists see the male and female roles as being set. The male is the sole breadwinner of the family and the wife stays at home and takes

  • Word count: 1616
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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