Sociology of Families - AQA GCSE Sociology

Introduction

• Focus on sociology of families, particularly for AQA GCSE.
• Multiple resources available online including MCQs, papers, and essays.

Lesson 1: Functionalist Perspective

• Key Figures: Murdoch, Talcott Parsons.
• Murdoch's Functions: Sexual, Reproductive, Economic, Educational.
• Parsons' Functions: Primary Socialization, Stabilization of Adult Personalities.
• Family Structure: Nuclear family seen as most efficient.

Lesson 2: Marxist Perspective

• Key Figures: Zaretzki.
• Functions: Maintains class inequality, reproduces labor force.
• Family Roles: Socialization into capitalist values, structured gender roles.
• Comparison: Inheritance, Consumerism, Role of Women, Socialization.

Lesson 3: Feminist Perspective

• Critiques: Traditional nuclear family as patriarchal.
• Key Figures: Delie and Leonard.
• Arguments: Oppression of women, unpaid domestic labor.

Lesson 4: Family Forms

• Types: Nuclear, Extended, Reconstituted, Lone Parent, Single Sex, Beanpole.
• Alternatives: Friends, Communal Living, House Share, Residential Homes.
• Influencing Factors: Secularization, Women's position, Legislation, Social Attitudes, Employment.

Lesson 5: Comparative Family Forms

• Global Differences: Extended families in African/Asian cultures, Communes, Gender Roles, Same-Sex Families.
• Examples: Indian joint families, Caribbean gender roles.

Lesson 6: Family Diversity

• Forms: Organizational, Cultural, Social Class, Life Cycle, Cohort Diversity.
• Rapoports' View: Positive view on family diversity.

Lesson 7: Conjugal Roles

• Traditional vs Contemporary: Division of labor between men and women.
• Sociological Perspectives: Functionalist, Feminist, Marxist, Postmodernist views.

Lesson 8: Symmetrical Family

• Theory by Wilmont and Young: Increasing equality in domestic roles.
• Stratified Diffusion: Changes start in upper/middle classes.

Lesson 9: Factors Impacting Conjugal Roles

• Key Areas: Decision Making, Money Management, Dual Career Families, Child Rearing, Leisure Activities.

Lesson 10: Historical Changes in Family Relationships

• Types: Pre-Industrial, Industrialized, Contemporary.
• Sociological Perspectives: Functionalist, Feminist, Marxist views on change.

Lesson 11: Contemporary Family Issues

• Issues: Parenting Responsibilities, Quality of Parenting, Teen-Adult Relationships, Care of the Disabled/Elderly, Arranged Marriage.

Lesson 12: Criticisms of Families

• Key Points: Isolation, Loss of Traditional Functions, Kinship Network Loss, Role of Women, Marital Breakdown, Dysfunctional Families.

Lesson 13: Changes in Divorce Patterns

• Historical Trends: Increase in divorce rates since 1945.
• Contributing Factors: Law Changes, Social Attitudes, Women's Status, Secularization.
• Sociological Perspectives: Functionalist, Feminist, Marxist views on divorce.

Lesson 14: Consequences of Divorce

• Effects: Emotional, Financial, Social impacts on family members and extended family.
• Rise in Lone Parent Families: Associated challenges including poverty and loneliness.