Question 1

What is the difference between a nuclear family and an extended family?

Accepted Answer

A nuclear family consists of two parents and their dependent children living together, often seen as the 'traditional' family unit. An extended family includes other relatives beyond the nuclear core, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who may live together or nearby. In the UK, extended families were more common in the past, especially in working-class communities, but today nuclear families are still common, though diverse family forms are increasing.

Question 2

How do functionalists and feminists differ in their views on the family?

Accepted Answer

Functionalists, like Murdock and Parsons, see the family as a positive institution that performs essential functions for society, such as socialising children and stabilising adult personalities. They argue the nuclear family is the best form for modern industrial society. Feminists, however, criticise the family as a source of gender inequality. Radical feminists argue the family oppresses women through patriarchy, while Marxist feminists link this oppression to capitalism. Liberal feminists acknowledge progress but still see inequalities in domestic labour and childcare.

Question 3

What are conjugal roles and how have they changed?

Accepted Answer

Conjugal roles refer to the division of tasks and responsibilities between partners in a marriage or cohabitation. In the 1950s, Bott distinguished between segregated roles (separate tasks, e.g., male breadwinner, female homemaker) and joint roles (shared tasks). Young and Willmott (1973) argued that families were becoming more symmetrical, with men sharing domestic work and childcare. However, later research (e.g., by Duncombe and Marsden) found that women still do the majority of domestic work and emotional labour, leading to the concept of the 'triple shift' (paid work, domestic work, emotional work).

Question 4

Why is the family important for primary socialisation?

Accepted Answer

Primary socialisation is the process by which children learn the basic norms, values, and language of their society, and the family is the first and most influential agent of this process. Functionalists argue that the family teaches children essential skills and values, such as discipline and respect for authority, which helps maintain social order. For example, parents teach children how to behave, what is right and wrong, and how to interact with others. This early socialisation shapes a child's identity and future behaviour in other social institutions like school and work.

Question 5

What is the 'cereal packet family' and why is it criticised?

Accepted Answer

The 'cereal packet family' is a term used to describe the idealised image of a nuclear family with a male breadwinner, female homemaker, and two children, often depicted in advertisements. Sociologists criticise this image because it is outdated and ignores the diversity of family forms in modern Britain, such as lone-parent families, same-sex parent families, and reconstituted families. It also reinforces traditional gender roles and overlooks the reality that many women work and many families are not nuclear. The term highlights how media representations can shape unrealistic expectations.

Question 6

How does social class affect family life?

Accepted Answer

Social class significantly influences family life, including parenting styles, educational expectations, and division of labour. For example, middle-class families often practice 'concerted cultivation' (Lareau), where parents actively organise activities and encourage reasoning, while working-class families may use 'natural growth' with less structured activities. Class also affects conjugal roles: research suggests that working-class families may have more segregated roles, while middle-class families tend towards joint roles. Additionally, financial resources impact housing, childcare, and opportunities, leading to different family experiences.

Families

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