AQA A-Level Sociology: Families and Households

Introduction

• Disclaimer: Presented by a Year 13 student, not a professional.
• Exam Context: Families and households is an optional topic in AQA A-Level Sociology Paper 2.
  • Consists of two 10-markers and one 20-marker.
  • Accounts for half of Paper 2.

Topics Covered

1. Sociological Perspectives and Theories
2. Division of Labor
3. Marriage and Divorce
4. Family Diversity
5. Social Policy
6. Childhood
7. Family Demographics
8. Migration

Sociological Perspectives and Theories

Functionalism

• Murdoch's Definition of Family: Common residence, economic cooperation, reproduction.
  • Nuclear family: man, woman, children.
  • Four functions: S.E.E.R (Sex, Education, Economic, Reproduction).
• Critiques of Murdoch: Functions can be met outside traditional family structures.
  • NHS, welfare state, domestic abuse statistics.
• Parsons' Functional Fit Theory: Family structure adapts to societal needs.
  • Agricultural vs. Industrial Revolution families.
  • Functions: primary socialization, stabilization of adult personalities.
  • Warm Bath Theory: emotional support for the working man.
• Critiques of Parsons: Changes in law and gender roles, capability of men in expressive roles.

New Right

• Characteristics: Advocates of nuclear family, traditional gender roles.
• Critiques: Blame single mothers, moral panics, and media portrayal.

Feminism

• General View: Family benefits men more, reinforces patriarchy.
• Types of Feminism:
  • Liberal Feminism: Focus on legislation and gradual progress.
  • Marxist Feminism: Women's oppression linked to capitalism.
  • Radical Feminism: Patriarchy as the root of women's oppression.
  • Difference Feminism: Cannot generalize women's experiences.

Marxism

• Family as Ideological State Apparatus: Maintains capitalist society.
• Women as Commodities: Engels on marriage and inheritance.
• Zaretsky: Family supports capitalism through unpaid labor and consumption.

Postmodernism

• Surveillance of Family: Monitored by the state.
• Personal Life Perspective: Importance of personal relationships beyond traditional families.
• Postmodern Families: Fluid structures and individual choice.

Division of Labor

• Conjugal Roles: Segregated vs. joint roles.
• Wilton and Young's Symmetrical Family: March of progress to joint roles.
• Critiques: Oakley's study on housework participation, role of emotion work, and gender scripts.

Marriage and Divorce

• Trends and Legislation: Changing patterns influenced by laws.
• Reasons for Change: Higher expectations, secularization, changing gender roles.
• Theoretical Perspectives: New Right, functionalists, Marxists, and feminists.
• Cohabitation and Divorce: Increasing cohabitation, declining divorce rates.

Family Diversity

• Modernism vs. Postmodernism: Predictable vs. fragmented society.
• Types of Families: Variety including nuclear, extended, single-parent, etc.

Social Policy

• Impact on Families: Direct and indirect policies affecting family life.
• Examples: Divorce reform, contraception, same-sex marriage.
• Critiques: New Right, feminist, and Marxist perspectives.

Childhood

• Social Construction: Created by society, varies by culture and era.
• Invention of Childhood: Aries' historical analysis.
• Is Childhood Disappearing?: Postman's view on information hierarchy.

Family Demographics

• Population Changes: Growth, aging population, birth and death rates.
• Life Expectancy: Variations by region, social class, gender.

Migration

• Types of Migration: Immigration and emigration trends.
• Factors Affecting Migration: Globalization, border controls, push and pull factors.
• Cultural Diversity: Effects on family structures and roles.

Conclusion

• Final Remarks: Preparation for Paper 3 on crime and deviance.
• Feedback Request: Encouragement for viewer interaction.