Diversity And Social Change: Different Family And Household Forms, Including Nuclear, Extended, Lone-parent, Reconstituted And Singleperson Households. If Appropriate To The Local Context And Not Restricted By Law Or Regulation, Other Family And Household Forms May Also Be Taught, Such As Same-sex Families And Families Of Choice. (Copy)
Functionalism (Talcott Parsons)
Core Idea
- The nuclear family is the most important and functional family type
Application to Family Forms
- Nuclear Family
- Husband, wife and children
- Performs key functions: socialisation and emotional support
- Extended Family
- More common in pre-industrial societies
- Less suited to modern industrial life
- Lone-parent / Reconstituted / Single-person
- Seen as less stable and less effective in socialisation
- Same-sex Families / Families of Choice
- Often not recognised in traditional functionalist theory
- Application
- Nuclear family is viewed as best suited to modern society
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
Marxism (Karl Marx)
Core Idea
- Family forms are shaped by economic needs of capitalism
Application to Family Forms
- Nuclear Family
- Supports capitalism (inheritance, labour reproduction)
- Extended Family
- Less relevant in capitalist societies
- Lone-parent and Reconstituted Families
- Result of economic pressures and instability
- Single-person Households
- Linked to individualism under capitalism
- Same-sex Families / Families of Choice
- Increasingly accepted within consumer culture
- Application
- Family diversity reflects changes in economic structures
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
Feminism (Ann Oakley)
Core Idea
- Family diversity reflects greater freedom from patriarchy
Application to Family Forms
- Nuclear Family
- Often patriarchal → male dominance
- Extended Family
- May reinforce traditional gender roles
- Lone-parent Families
- Often female-headed → show independence
- Reconstituted Families
- Reflect changing relationships
- Single-person Households
- Indicate independence, especially for women
- Same-sex Families / Families of Choice
- Challenge traditional gender roles and norms
- Application
- Diversity shows decline of traditional patriarchy
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
New Right (Charles Murray)
Core Idea
- Only the nuclear family is desirable; other forms are problematic
Application to Family Forms
- Nuclear Family
- Stable and provides proper socialisation
- Lone-parent Families
- Seen as cause of social problems (crime, poor socialisation)
- Reconstituted Families
- Less stable than nuclear families
- Single-person Households
- Reflect decline in family values
- Same-sex Families / Families of Choice
- Often criticised for not fitting traditional model
- Application
- Family diversity is viewed as a threat to social stability
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
Postmodernism (Anthony Giddens)
Core Idea
- Family life is characterised by diversity, choice and individualisation
Application to Family Forms
- Nuclear Family
- Still exists but not dominant
- Extended Family
- May persist in some cultures
- Lone-parent Families
- Accepted as normal
- Reconstituted Families
- Reflect fluid relationships
- Single-person Households
- Increasing due to individual choice
- Same-sex Families
- Reflect acceptance of diverse identities
- Families of Choice
- Based on emotional bonds rather than biology
- Application
- Family diversity reflects freedom and changing social norms
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course
Key Synoptic Application
- Functionalists → nuclear family is ideal
- Marxists → family forms shaped by capitalism
- Feminists → diversity reflects decline of patriarchy
- New Right → diversity is harmful
- Postmodernists → diversity reflects choice and freedom