AQA Sociology

2.  Know a range of different Sociological views
of the family.
 Understand the differences between
modernist and post modernist views of the
family
 Be able to analyse and evaluate sociological
explanations of family diversity

3.  What does this mean to you?
 Makea list of all the different family types
you can think of

4.  Post modernists take a different view than
structuralists such as Marxists or
Functionalists
 They argue that these theories ignore 2 facts
1. We make choices about our relationships
and family life
2. We now have much greater choice about
our personal relationships and thus family
diversity has increased, we can no longer
talk about a ‘dominant’ or ‘best’ family
type (nuclear)

5.  This Postmodernist argues the family has
gone through a radical change
1. We no longer live in a ‘modern’ world with
predictable and orderly structures such as
the nuclear family.
2. We live in a postmodern world which is
chaotic, family structures are fragmented
and people have much more choice in their
lifestyles

6.  Arguesthat in recent decades the family and
marriage have been transformed by greater
choice and equality between men and
women
 Giddens
also notes that with increased
freedom and choice personal relationships
become less stable

7.  Beckargues families have changed by
allowing too much freedom
 What do you think?

8.  These families do not conform to the
traditional family norm, they vary according
to the wishes and expectations of their
members. There is more equality.

9.  What do you already know about The New
Right’s view of the family?
1 minute to record ideas with your partner.

10. The
conventional
patriarchal
nuclear
family is
‘best’
Lone parent Firmly
families are opposed
unnatural
and harmful to family
to children diversity
The
New
Right
It is ‘natural’
Family for women to
diversity has take an
‘expressive
resulted in role’ and men
social to take an
problems ‘instrumental
role’
The family
is the
cornerstone
of society

12.  BBC News - England rioters 'poor and young‘
 BBC News - England riots: The feast of fools?
 Could issues such as this be down to the
decline of traditional family values?
 Or are the youth just protesting at lack of
opportunity?
 What’s your view?

13.  Chester (1985) recognises that there has
been some increased family diversity in
recent years, however unlike The New Right
he does not regard this as significant or
negative.
 The conventional family is the nuclear one
 The Neo conventional family is the dual
earner family, he argues that most people do
not choose to be in a lone parent family and
that the nuclear family is still the one people
aspire to.

14.  Increases risks to children, for example
greater poverty, educational failure and
health problems
 ‘Broken Britain’
 Encourages dependency culture – benefits
 No male role model results in higher rates of
delinquency

15.  Organisational – differences in the way roles are
organised
 Cultural – Different religions, cultures and ethnic
groups have different family structures
 Social class – differences as a result of income
and differences affecting things like child rearing
practices
 Life stage – Structures according to stage
reached in life cycle
 Generational – older and younger generations
have different attitudes and experiences in
periods in which they have lived

16.  Why is the nuclear family the ideal family?
 How is this family promoted?
 How can we criticise The New Right?

17. 2 teams
 Question:
Has greater family diversity resulted in more
social problems in society?
Prepare your arguments and prepare to
debate!!

18.  Same sex
 One person households
 Reconstituted
 Extended

19.  Low social class = lower income
 How might low income affect the family, it’s
structure and practices?

20.  There is diversity within ethnic groups so we
should be careful when talking about typical
‘ethnic families’
 Remember there are variations between
ethnic groups, i.e. Muslim, Hindu and Sikhs

21.  Does it still exist today?
 Charles (2005) study of Swansea found the classic 3
generation family all living under one roof is now all but
extinct. Only exceptions were found amongst the city’s
Bangladeshi community
 However Peter Wilmott (1988) argues it continues to exist
as a ‘dispersed extended family’
 Chamberlain (1999) found that despite being
geographically dispersed (not living near) Caribbean
families continued to provide support
 Bell (1968) Found that both working and middle class
relied on support from relatives
 Finch and Mason (1993) Found that more was expected of
females, however we all feel obligation towards kin. 90%
had received financial help whilst 50% had cared for a sick
relative. Balance is also important! You have to put in to
get out!!