Sociology · May / June 2020 · Paper 21 · Question 1

0495

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Despite primary socialisation in the family remaining essential, some argue that the family is not always good for its members or society. In contemporary societies family roles and structures are 1 constantly changing. There are many reasons for these changes such as new gender norms and ageing populations.

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1(a)[2]
What is meant by the term ‘primary socialisation’? One mark for partial definition, e.g. first stage of socialisation Two marks for clear definition, e.g. the first and most important period of socialisation in which the individual learns the basic norms of behaviour.
1(b)[4]
Describe two negative aspects of family life. Candidates will describe two negative aspects of family life. This may link to the ‘dark side’ of the family. The negative aspects of family life can be for any family member e.g. wife, husband, child, grand-parent etc. Possible answers:
dysfunctional families – fail to socialise their children properly meaning children are not adequately prepared to be functioning members of society;
domestic violence – typically (but not exclusively) male on female, can be emotional, physical or sexual abuse e.g. Dobash and Dobash (feminism);
child abuse and neglect – increasingly seen to be a problem in modern industrial societies, can be emotional, physical or sexual abuse;
Marxism – families in poverty and the difficulties this brings, particularly linked with lone-parent families;
Marxism – families as a tool of capitalism i.e. as a unit of consumption/ the safety valve function;
high levels of divorce – may lead to high levels of stress and tension in families, both for the partners involved and for any children;
dual burden families – financial and emotional difficulties and stresses for the generation who are caring both for children and for elderly relatives;
privatised nuclear families – may miss out on close relationships with wider kin and not have extended family support networks to rely on for help;
other reasonable response. One mark for each point correctly identified (up to maximum of two). One mark for each point that is developed (up to a maximum of two).
1(c)[6]
Explain how gender equality exists in the family. Candidates should show an understanding of how gender equality exists in the family. Possible answers:
dual income workers – both husband and wife are in paid employment and thus there is no longer the same inequalities in pay, power and status;
shared (joint) conjugal roles means that housework and emotional care in the family is no longer seen as the woman’s role (Willmott and Young symmetrical family);
if both parents work then often individuals are employed to take on some of the household duties traditionally performed by the wife e.g. child-care and cleaning;
postmodernists believe that in modern industrial societies it is far easier for both men and women to choose and negotiate the family roles they want to play, thus leading to greater equality;
the privatised nuclear family leads to a more equal partnership as life is organised around the family home rather than work or community;
greater diversity in family life means that there are more opportunities for gender equality within the family as traditional gender norms are challenged and changed;
changing roles of men e.g. as househusbands, allows for more flexibility and choice;
other reasonable response. Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–3 marks] Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of how gender equality can be seen in family life and may talk about e.g. ‘both women and men helping in the home’. Responses may be short and un/under developed. At the bottom of the band (1 mark), expect one weak point. Higher in the band (2-3 marks), candidates may offer more than one weak point, but there may be a tendency towards simplistic answers, engaging with sociological ideas without using sociological language. Band 2 [4–6 marks] A clear and accurate explanation, showing good sociological knowledge and understanding of how gender equality can be seen in family life. Sociological terms and concepts should be expected e.g. ‘Feminist struggles seem to have paid off as in many families there is now evidence of there being a symmetrical family in which men and women both go out to paid work and both share the household tasks such as housework and childcare.’ This would be followed by explanation of factors leading to this. At the bottom of the band, the range of points covered may be narrow or lack detail. Higher in the band, answers will cover more than one factor in a well-developed way or cover several factors in less detail.
1(d)[8]
Explain why the nuclear family is important in contemporary societies. Candidates should show an understanding of the various reasons to explain why the nuclear family is important in contemporary societies. Candidates are likely to engage with the functionalist approach, although this does not have to be explicitly referred to. Possible answers:
functionalists believe that in order for society to work and run smoothly there are some essential functions that need to be carried out and these are best performed by the nuclear family;
reproduction – societies must reproduce new generations of children and it is through marriage and the formation of the nuclear family that this is encouraged;
socialisation – children need to learn the norms and values of their society through primary socialisation whereby culture is transmitted to the next generation;
social control – behaviour of children needs to be controlled so that they conform to society’s norms and expectation, the ‘father figure’ is often thought to be the best for this job;
care of children – the expressive role played by the wife is seen to be the most effective way of ensuring that children are nurtured and cared for properly;
finance and status – the instrumental role played by the father is seen to be the best way for a family to have the money it needs to function adequately;
regulation of sexual behaviour – socially approved relationships are expected if a couple are to have children and the nuclear family is thought by many to be the most effective and stable basis for this;
New Right sociologists believe that it is only the nuclear family that can provide all the things a family needs to be successful and that all other family types fall short of this ideal;
cereal-packet family – the media frequently shows the nuclear family to be the ideal family type that we should all strive for;
other reasonable response. Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–3 marks] Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of why the nuclear family is still important in contemporary societies. A tendency to description is likely. Responses may be short and undeveloped, e.g. ‘having two parents is best for the children’ stated without explanation. Sociological terms and concepts are unlikely to be used. At the bottom of the band (1 mark), expect one weak point. Higher in the band (2-3 marks), candidates may offer more than one weak point. Band 2 [4–6 marks] Answers in this band will show basic sociological knowledge and understanding of why the nuclear family is still important in contemporary societies. Responses may be underdeveloped and lacking in range. e.g. ‘functionalists believe that nuclear families are thought to perform essential functions that no other family can do as well’ etc. At the bottom of the band, candidates are unlikely to use sociological terms and concepts accurately. Higher in the band, candidates may be beginning to use sociological terms and concepts with greater accuracy. However, some aspects of the answer may only be partially developed/explained. Band 3 [7–8 marks] Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of why the nuclear family is still important in contemporary societies and will be well developed and explained. e.g. ‘Functionalists and the New Right believe that the nuclear family plays an important role in contemporary societies. They are the institution best placed to perform the essential functions such as socialisation, social control, reproduction and sexual regulation. Their belief in the instrumental role being best suited to men and the expressive role being best suited to women supports the idea of a family in which a parent is at home to nurture the children and a parent is out of work to provide the finances necessary to survive’. They can then expand on the explanation of this and other factors as necessary. Sociological terms and concepts will be used accurately overall. Answers will be well focused on the question and there will be a range of reasons presented. At the top of the band explanations will be clear throughout.
1(e)[15]
To what extent is an ageing population good for family life? Candidates should show an awareness of the various ways that an ageing population is good for family life. Candidates may look at husbands and wives, children and grand-parents in their answer. Possible answers: FOR
retirement has been extended as the population live longer, leading to the availability of grand-parents for family childcare;
active ageing has led to a generation of healthy, fit and happy retirees who are an asset to family life in terms of socialisation, support, childcare etc;
grand-parents are able to play a greater role in the lives of their grand- children and so develop closer bonds and relationships;
a return in some families to the extended family structure where families share a household – this brings financial, childcare and housework benefits for all;
an ageing population increases the status of older people who are no longer seen as an economic burden due to factors such as the ‘grey pound’;
care homes today can be seen as ‘luxury living’ with five-star standards and amenities meaning a new phase of family life that is characterised by fun and happiness;
other reasonable response. AGAINST
more older people living alone after the death of a partner may lead to greater isolation and loneliness as elderly people see little of their family;
geographical mobility and the move to the privatised nuclear family is not good for an ageing population who may not have a place in their wider kin’s family;
there may be a greater burden for adult children looking after their ageing parents – poor healthcare, need for support, financial implications etc. – the pivot/sandwich generation;
old age is associated with retirement and this can bring with it a lack of status and no clear role which may lead to disengagement from family life;
there may be a burden placed on the grand-parents who feel that they must play a role in the family’s childcare;
this may bring conflict and tension to the family through different norms, values and expectations between the generations;
an ageing population may lead to a generation gap between family members, leaving them with little in common and thus weakening relationships and family bonds;
other reasonable response. Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–4 marks] Answers in this band may be vague and largely based on common sense showing limited knowledge of the extent to which an ageing population is good for family life. Use of sociological terms or concepts is very unlikely. Responses may be short, undeveloped and one-sided. e.g. ‘A good thing about an ageing population for family life is that grand-parents can help out with the childcare’. Lower in the band (1-2 marks), expect one or two weak points. Higher in the band (3-4 marks) candidates may offer more than two points or provide a weak definition of key terms, e.g. an ageing population means an increasing average age in the population of a region due to declining fertility rates and/or rising life expectancy. Band 2 [5–8 marks] In this band candidates will show some basic knowledge of the extent to which an ageing population is good for family life. Alternatively, they may offer an answer which is list-like in nature but there will be no real attempt to assess the issues raised by the question. There may be limited/some use of sociological terms or concepts. Responses may be underdeveloped and lack range. Answers may be simplistic and two-sided responses are unlikely e.g. ‘An ageing population is often associated with a fitter and healthier elderly population who can support wider kin with emotional support, informal education and childcare’. Lower in the band, the response will be rather narrow in the points covered and there will be little development. Higher in the band, more points will be covered and there will be limited development of some points. Alternatively, a list-like answer with little development covering both sides of the argument may score up to 8 marks. A one-sided answer cannot score higher than 8 marks. Band 3 [9–12 marks] Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of the extent to which an ageing population is good for family life. Sociological terms and concepts will be used with greater accuracy and/or frequency. For the most part, answers will be well developed, focused on the question and there will be a range of points presented. Candidates may say that e.g. ‘Despite more positive associations with an ageing population, many sociologists believe that it has negative consequences for the family. There is a fear of an isolated and lonely generation with little contact with their geographically dispersed extended families. They are perceived as an economic and emotional burden for already stressed and stretched privatised nuclear families’. There will be a two-sided response but this may be unbalanced. At the bottom of the band, candidates may provide a narrower range of well developed points. At the top of the band, expect a wider range of points and clear focus on the question. Band 4 [13–15 marks] Answers in this band will show excellent knowledge and understanding of the extent to which an ageing population is good for family life. There will be a strong grasp of the argument as well as accurate and frequent use of sociological terms and concepts. Answers will be well developed, clearly focused on the question and discuss a wide range of points. Responses will be two-sided and balanced. At the bottom of the band (13 marks), the answer may lack a specific conclusion. Higher in the band, there will be a clear attempt to offer an assessment of the ‘To what extent.?’ part of the question through a focused conclusion. Candidates should show consideration of points for and against the idea of an ageing population being good for family life, citing some of the examples given.

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