Assess the extent to which the traditional nuclear family is the norm in contemporary British society
Assess the extent to which the traditional nuclear family is the norm in contemporary British society. (30) The nuclear family is one which consists of a monogamous and heterosexual couple who are married with children. Functionalist sociologists advocate the notion that the nuclear family is the norm in society as it is a vital institution which maintain social cohesion and value consensus. Postmodernists, however, argue that society has changed, and the structure of the family is now diverse, which should be encouraged. Ken Browne (2006) claims that only 22% of households are married couples with dependent children, which indicates the nuclear family is no longer the norm. Although not discussing contemporary British society, Functionalist George Murdock (1949) argues that the family is universal. He studied 250 societies ranging from agricultural to industrial, and claimed that the nuclear family could be found in every society. He noted that there were some variances, although he emphasized that in all family forms the nuclear family was the building block This can be criticized due to the diverse nature of families in contemporary life. The very notion of the nuclear family being universal is questionable, as various family forms are evident, such as the communal Kibbutz in Israel, and the female headed matrifocal family in African-Caribbean communities. It can
The nuclear family is considered the 'ideal'. Why and for whom?
"The nuclear family is considered the 'ideal'. Why and for whom?" In 1949, Functionalist George Murdock defined the family as "a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction. It includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children". In this description Murdock is describing a family structure called the nuclear family. The nuclear family is the most common definition of a family, which consists of two parents and their children. It was once considered ideal by society but is now facing a decline due to the rapid change of trends in society today. These trends in issues such as divorce and religion are some of many linked to the decline of the nuclear family in society. I will be taking a closer look at these issues, considering Functionalist and Marxist views, and also taking into account other family structures whilst tackling the question of why and for whom the nuclear family is ideal for. Functionalists believe that each part of society has a function, very much like a human body. Using the example of a human body, functionalists believe that the nuclear family is ideal as it is at the heart of society. This is because they view the nuclear family as a positive institution that is extremely beneficial to society by performing core functions such
Examine the Effects of Maternal Employment on Infant Development.
Effects of Maternal Emploment on Infant Development The topic of this paper is the debate of whether or not maternal employment has any effect on infant development. Research on this described topic has recently become popular due to the rise of working mothers over the past several decades. Their increasing numbers in the workplace and decreasing numbers as stay at home moms are creating a number of different issues to be studied. The effects of maternal employment are determined by a number of factors that include, the mother's job satisfaction and drive, amount of work, and the mother's opinion of quality versus quantity time with children. The main concept at hand here is the importance of an attachment in the first few years as being vital to a child's later development. One side of the argument backs up this fact saying that it is important for a child to have their mother home with them during this period of development. The other side argues that they are finding that it may be more beneficial for the child to be placed in some form of nontraditional care environment. This paper will examine these different effects on infant development whether they are positive or negative. There are two sides to this argument as expected for any issue in debate. I will discuss these two sides by using the arguments of researchers that have studied this topic and written articles
Examine the changes in the rate of divorce since 1969
EXAMINE THE REASONS FOR THE CHANGES IN THE RATE OF DIVORCE SINCE 1969 (24 MARKS) Divorce is defined as the legal termination of marriage and statistics show that the rate of divorce overall has risen since 1969. It is shown that from 1969 until 1972, divorce rates had doubled from around 50,000 divorces in the UK in 1969. It had more than tripled to 170,000 in 2000. Despite this, divorce rates dropped in 1993 from 180,000 to 157,000 in 2001. There are several reasons for this rise in divorce, th main reason being the changes in the law, making it easier to divorce partners. A change in the position of women is a key important factor in the rise of divorce, second to the changes in law. The next factor in the changes in the rate of divorce is secularisation, or the decline in the influence of religion, which has a huge role in the divorce rates. Another factor is the raising expectations of marriage as men and women seek to find ‘the one’ to be with so are more likely to divorce in that sense. Lastly, the decline in stigma and people’s change in attitudes towards divorce has influenced the rate of divorce since 1969. Other factors that may have had an effect in the rate of divorce include that people marry young and that people cohabitate before getting married. The main factor for the changes in the rate of divorce since 1969 is the fact that there have been huge
There is a gradual sharing of gender roles within the family.
There is a gradual sharing of gender roles within the family. Explain and discuss this statement with reference to sociological evidence and theories. 1500 Words Functionalism theories argue that society shapes its men and women into different spheres, these differences can be seen as functional to the maintenance of social stability and harmony. Functionalist argue that the traditional view of family in Britain was that of the Nuclear family, this was one in which married women were seen as housewives, they performed the domestic tasks and cared for their children. Their husbands were seen as naturally assertive the dominant male, the bread-winner and perform economically supportive tasks. Edmund Lech (1967) termed this view of the family as The Cereal Pack Norm, and criticised "the lawdry secrets" of the nuclear family. This view of gender roles and the family is a debate shared by many theorists. Young and Willmott (1973) accepted the view of the nuclear family and announced the arrival of the symmetrical family. They suggested that there was a movement towards symmetry, meaning joint conjugal roles, a sense of balance between the duties of gender tasks within the family. Conjugal roles can be jointly carried out, segregated or integrated. Ann Oakley (1974) and other feminists disagreed that conjugal roles were joint but were socially constructed, after the industrial
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
Critically examine the Functionalist idea that the nuclear family exists for the benefit of everyone.
Critically examine the Functionalist idea that the nuclear family exists for the benefit of everyone The Functionalist sociologist, Murdock (1949) defined the family as a social group characterised by common residence, economic co-operation and reproduction. He claimed it must include adults of both sexes of whom maintain a socially accepted sexual relationship, and own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults. Murdock's definition is focuses on the Nuclear family stereotypically made up of a two-generation family: heterosexual couple with offspring. This definition of the family is popular among right wing sociologists who believe it is the ideal type of family unit that people should aspire to have. They argue this because they believe the nuclear family is the best type of family for the individual and for society. This is why they encourage it and regard it as the most beneficial family structure. They believe that it is the nuclear family unit by which the process of socialisation is transmitted at it's strongest with the most benefit for society. However, functionalists tend to see the family as harmonious but this is simply not the case in society today. Feminist criticise the functionalist view on the nuclear family by arguing that the nuclear family doesn't suit everyone within the family unit and is more damaging than it is beneficial. Sociologists use the
Assess the functionalist view that the family is functional for its members and society
Amy Murray 12-AFR Assess the functionalist view that the family is functional for its members and society Functionalists look at society through ‘rosy coloured glasses’. They believe that society is based on shared values in which members are socialised. They see society as an organism, each part performing functions to maintain the system as a whole; e.g. the family performs socialisation functions. Many people criticise this view of family by functionalists. Firstly, functionalists argue that families contribute to society by allowing social order and stability through giving social solidarity, value consensus and equilibrium. Social solidarity in the family is the basis of all groups/units. The idea that families do everything together, sharing a common residence and name. Value consensus in the family is when they talk together and socialize the members in the family to accept their views and values as well as traditions, which are passed down. Equilibrium in the family is the comprise and sorting out of issues and disagreements. Each member has his or her own role to perform giving respect to each other. Thus allowing stability as there is individual rules and standards. Parsons argues that the particular structure and functions of a family will ‘fit’ the needs of society. He claims that when a society changes from a traditional pre-industrial to a modern
Explain and briefly evaluate ways in which femininities are created and reinforced in contemporary society.
Question 3. Explain and briefly evaluate ways in which femininities are created and reinforced in contemporary society. Everyone at birth is born as a blank slate, it is our families and our environment that socialise us and teach us the appropriate ways of behaving relative to our gender. We learn our gender roles in society from primary socialisation (the family) initially. These initial ideas are expanded on and reinforced buy secondary socialisation, (peers, media, education, workplace and religion) throughout our lives. Firstly, the family socialises femininity in a number of ways. A study by Ann Oakley argues that gender socialisation takes place in 4 ways: . Manipulation - parents encourage behaviour which is seen as normal for the child's gender and discourage deviant behaviour. For example, girls are encouraged to take ballet lessons whilst they are discouraged from getting dirty, playing football. 2. Canalisation - this involves channelling the child's interests to toys and activities seen as 'normal' for her sex. Such as girls playing with Barbie dolls, giving them an interest in hair and clothes; traditional 'girly' interests. 3. Verbal appellation - the names that children are called which teaches gender appropriate behaviour, for example, calling little girls 'princess' and the tone of voice used is generally softer with girls than it is with boys. 4.
Outline and evaluate the functionalist view of the role of the family
Outline and evaluate the functionalist view of the role of the family 24 marks Functionalist sociologists believe that people have a range of basic needs that must be met if society is to run smoothly. Different groups and individuals in society are important because they perform certain functions which meet society's needs. Functionalism supports the family in nearly every way, to the support it offers to the next generation and the way it teaches them the four functions they need to survive. In analysing the family, functionalists concern themselves with two main areas. The functions that the family provides and the relationship between the family and other institutions. They suggest the family provides four main functions that help society and its individual members. Firstly they say the family provides the sexual function, this means married adults enjoy a healthy sex life preventing from social distributions such as rape. Society can run much more smoothly from this as this means less rape crime. Secondly they say the family provide the reproductive function, producing the next generation for society. Society can benefit from this as they can take the next generation and fit them in to the jobs that need filling, without any children society couldn't survive at all. Everyone in society has a role to fulfil. Doing these makes society work effectively meaning a re -
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