Families and Households - Sociology Lecture Notes

An Introduction to the Sociology of the Family

• Key Concepts: Definitions of major sociological terms relevant to the AQA Families and Households module.
• Defining the Family: Complexity in defining family; includes friends/pets?
• Family Statistics in the UK: Basic statistics from surveys highlighting family life from 2017.
• UK Family Surveys: Results from four surveys; discusses strengths and limitations.

Families and Households Exam Advice (AQA A-level)

• Exam Structure: Overview of 3 question styles in paper 2, focusing on the families and households section.
• 2017 Exam Answers: Suggested approaches to 2017 exam questions.

Perspectives on The Family

• Sociological Perspectives: Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, Post/late modernism, Personal life perspective.

• Structuralist Perspectives:

  • Functionalist: Murdock's 4 functions, Parsons’ theories, gender roles.
  • Marxist: Engels’ and contemporary views on the family as an economic unit.
  • Feminist: Liberal, Marxist, and Radical perspectives on family roles.
  • New Right: Traditional view supporting nuclear family structure.

• Postmodern Perspectives:

  • Postmodern View: Decline of nuclear family, diversity in family types.
  • Late Modern: Anthony Giddens, Ulrich Beck; focus on individual perspectives.
  • Personal Life: Emphasis on individual family perceptions.

Marriage, Divorce and Cohabitation

• Trends: Decline in marriage, fluctuating divorce rates, rise in cohabitation.
• Social Factors: Gender equality, individualism, legislative changes (1969 Divorce Act).
• Consequences: Differing views (New Right vs. Feminist perspectives).

Trends in Family Structure and Diversity

• Diversity Trends: Increase in single parent, lone person households.
• Ethnic, Class Variations: Differences by social background and ethnicity.
• Family Diversity Causes: Economic shifts, postmodern influences, policy impacts.

Power and Equality within Domestic Roles

• Gender Equality: Examination of housework, childcare, domestic roles.
• Gender Roles: Persistent inequalities, despite more men engaging in domestic work.

Childhood

• Social Construction: Exploration of how childhood is shaped by societal norms.
• Progress Views: Changes in education and welfare improving childhood.
• Toxic Childhood: Technology's impact, overprotective parenting.

Social Policy and the Family

• Policy Influences: Direct and indirect impacts of policies like the Divorce Act, Civil Partnerships.
• Sociological Perspectives: New Right vs. Feminist views on policy impact.

Demography

• Birth and Death Rates: Long-term trends; increasing life expectancy.
• Ageing Population: Challenges and societal adaptations needed.
• Migration: Effects of global movements on family life.

A Level Sociology Families and Households Revision Bundle

• Comprehensive revision materials available, including mind maps, essays, and practice questions.

The AQAs Families and Households Specification

• Breakdown of how topics align with AQA specification criteria.

For more detailed content, visit ReviseSociology.com.