Sociology · Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Question 3
0495
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Sociologists disagree to what extent equal opportunities exist and whether social classes are changing. Some sociologists are concerned about patriarchy and ageism. Other sociologists debate the effects of poverty. 3
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3(a)[2]
What is meant by the term ‘equal opportunities’? One mark for a partial definition e.g. everything is fair. Two marks for a clear definition e.g. when all people are given the same chances regardless of social stratification.
3(b)[4]
Describe two examples of patriarchy in society. Possible answers:
political power – the vast majority of political leaders are men;employment opportunities – men have greater promotion opportunities and are often better paid;education – in some societies females are not educated or are given less schooling than males;relationships in marriage – men are often seen as dominant and more likely to make key decisions as part of their instrumental role;media representations are often constructed from a male perspective;any other reasonable response. One mark for each example correctly identified (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each example appropriately developed (up to a maximum of two).3(c)[6]
Explain how poverty affects individuals. Possible responses:
one’s chances of a good education are lower, e.g. likely to have less access to both material and cultural advantages that aid educational success;the chances of accessing a good school are less, e.g. unable to move to a catchment area where there are better schools;the chances of good health are lower, e.g. lack of balanced diet impacts on health and illness and disease may result;life expectancy is reduced, i.e. individuals from lower socio-economic groups generally die younger;access to health care is reduced, e.g. likely to face longer waiting times and not get access to best drugs and treatment;people are more likely to face social exclusion, e.g. don’t have money to go out and meet people or own latest fashion or technology;some children are born into poverty and an effect of this is that they become part of a cycle of poverty wherein they cannot improve their status or economic situation and end up giving birth to their own children in poverty;an effect of poverty is to become trapped e.g. a lack of education makes social progression unlikely and people cannot climb out of poverty;an effect of poverty is that people may develop a culture of poverty e.g. become fatalistic and develop anti-social values, become work-shy and welfare dependent etc.;any 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 the question. Responses may be short and un/underdeveloped. 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] Answers in this band will have clear and accurate explanation, showing good sociological knowledge and understanding. Sociological terms and concepts should be expected and explained. 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 point in a well-developed way or cover several points in less detail.3(d)[8]
Explain why ageism affects the elderly. Possible answers:
because media representations of older people can often be stereotyped, e.g. representing them as a burden, frail and vulnerable, unable to cope with new technology other age groups treat the elderly differently;because the elderly are often seen as a burden in the family and may suffer a loss of status within the family due to retirement and the loss of income that comes with it;because the elderly faced many more restrictions than other groups during the pandemic, especially those living in care homes;because of age discrimination by employers in the workplace elderly workers may be prevented from gaining employment or promotions;because the elderly may be deemed ‘too old’ for some treatments they suffer from inequalities in access to health services;because younger workers begin to resent the burden of a growing ageing population ‘elder abuse’ is on the increase;any 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 the question. A tendency to description is likely. Responses may be short and undeveloped and points 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. Responses may be underdeveloped and lacking in range. 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 and will be well developed and explained. Sociological terms and concepts will be used accurately overall. Answers will be well-focused on the question and there will be a range of points presented. At the top of the band explanations will be clear throughout.3(e)[15]
To what extent are social classes changing in modern industrial societies? Possible answers: Arguments for:
the upper class is changing and is now composed of three distinct groups (aristocracy, jet set and entrepreneurial rich) rather than one unified ruling class;the middle class is changing and now covers a wide range of occupations from secretaries to architects and has expanded rapidly in advanced capitalist societies;many sociologists argue the middle class has changed and now see the middle class as composed of three distinct groups rather than one – the petty bourgeoisie (old middle class), the upper middle class (professionals and managers) and the lower middle class (clerical and service jobs);Marxists argue that a process of proletarianization is happening in which part of the old middle class has fallen into the working class due to the declining skill level and status of their jobs, e.g. clerical workers;embourgeoisement – some argue that the higher levels of the working class are becoming part of the new middle class as greater prosperity began to break down traditional class barriers after the second world war;postmodernists may argue that classes are becoming fractured and there are new sources of social identity which renders class divisions unimportant in modern society;various different measurements of class and social mobility offers evidence of the changing nature of the class landscape in modern industrial societies;the emergence of the underclass, identified by the new right, suggests that the class structures are dynamic and constantly changing;any other reasonable answer. Arguments against:Marxists argue that whilst the characteristics of the ruling class may be slightly changing their basic nature and function within capitalism has not – the small percentage at the top still wield disproportionate wealth, power and status in comparison to the vast majority of the population;there is only one middle class that is clearly distinguishable from the upper class by the fact that it does not own the means of production and from the working class by the fact that it possesses educational or technical qualifications;the evidence for proletarianization is limited – jobs that have been ‘deskilled’ are still advertised as skilled and offer chances of promotion unlike many manual jobs as well as offering more job security and better working conditions;some would argue that there remain distinct class cultures within society, e.g. working-class values, norms and roles remain distinct from those of the middle and upper classes thus showing that the traditional class divides remain in place;some argue that the underclass is not a new phenomenon and that it has been in existence since the nineteenth century when Marx categorised them as a distinct group so little has changed;any other reasonable answer. Band 0 [0 marks] no creditable response Band 1 [1–4 marks] Answers in this band may be vague and largely based on common sense showing limited knowledge of the debate. Use of sociological terms or concepts is very unlikely. Responses may be short, undeveloped and one- sided. 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 and provide a weak definition of key terms in the question. Band 2 [5–8 marks] In this band candidates will show some basic knowledge of the debate. 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 or only cover one side of the debate. Lower in the band, the response may be rather narrow in the points covered and there may be some development. Higher in the band, more points are likely to be covered with some development. Alternatively, a list-like answer with some 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 debate. 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 questions and there will be a range of points presented. There will be a two-sided response, but it may lack range on one side. At the bottom of the band, candidates may provide a narrower range of developed points. At the top of the band, expect a wider range of developed points and clear focus on the question. Band 4 [13–15 marks] Answers in this band will show excellent knowledge and understanding of the debate. There will be a strong grasp of the arguments 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 have a range of points on each side. 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.
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