Sociology · May / June 2016 · Paper 22 · Question 1

2251

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In modern industrial societies there are many views on the role of the family. Some sociologists see it as performing essential functions for both individuals and society. Others, however, point to the negative aspects of family life such as domestic violence.

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1(a)[2]
What is meant by the term ‘domestic violence’? [2]
Violence, abuse (psychological, emotional, physical or sexual) or threatening behaviour by men or women against their partners or other family members. One mark for partial definition, e.g. man hitting his wife. Two marks for clear definition, e.g. threatening behaviour committed by a family member against another family member.
1(b)[4]
Describe two functions that the family may no longer perform in modern industrial societies. [4]
Candidates will be expected to describe two functions that the family in modern industrial societies may no longer perform. Possible changing functions:
Reproduction – Increasing numbers of children are now being born outside of marriage meaning reproduction is no longer necessarily a function of the family
Modern families are less dependent on relatives for help with family life with the availability of welfare benefits
The state is starting to share/take over care of the old/young/sick
Socialisation-The family do still socialise children, but the increase in pre-school education, children’s centres and specialist media for young children, means that primary socialisation is no longer just family based
The growth in singlehood and adults choosing not to have children means that traditional functions of family that relate to children may no longer be relevant
Education is no longer the sole responsibility of the family, with formal education becoming an ever important part of society
Social control – this has been undertaken by agencies other than the family, education/peers/formal agencies etc.
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 the family can be said to be patriarchal in modern industrial societies. [6]
Candidates need to show an understanding of what is meant by the term ‘patriarchal’ (males having more power in the family than females) and be able to apply this to the institution of the family. Possible answers:
Feminists such as Ann Oakley show that conjugal roles in the family are unequal with women still feeling that housework and childcare were their responsibility
Increased need for both partners to work in order to be able to financially support the family means that a lot of women suffer from the ‘dual burden’ – as well as being in employment, they are also responsible for domestic work
The triple shift – women often have to do paid work, childcare and housework plus emotion work for their husband/partner
Feminists acknowledge that men today are more involved with family life than they were in the past but that they merely ‘help’ their partners, they do not take responsibility for these domestic tasks and roles
Edgell studied decision making in families and found that those decisions deemed to be most important were still typically made by men
Men still tend to earn more money than women and so have often controlled the family’s finances – typically gives them more power
Dark side of the family – domestic violence and abuse is more likely to be committed by men against women
Honour based violence/forced marriages – in some communities these practices are still found and typically negatively affect women
Religion enforces patriarchal ideologies in some societies
Other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of the concept of patriarchy in the family and may talk about e.g. ‘families being unfair’. 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) A clear and accurate explanation, showing good sociological knowledge and understanding of the relationship between patriarchy and family life. Sociological terms and concepts should be expected e.g. ‘Despite women now typically being employed in the workplace, domestic duties and responsibilities still tend to fall to them resulting in a dual burden.’ 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 some sociologists believe that the family is essential for society and the individual. [8]
Candidates should show awareness of the various reasons some sociologists would give to explain why the family is such a vital institution for both society and the individual. Candidates are likely to use a wide range of different points that reflect their different cultural experiences and these should be credited. Possible answers:
Functionalists believe that for society to run smoothly and effectively, certain functions are essential and the family is central to this
Reproduction – new generations are crucial for society to survive and family life encourages this reproduction
Socialisation – primary socialisation in the family teaches children society’s core norms and values. The family can then reproduce and transmit these to other members
Social Control – families use sanctions and rewards to teach their children right and wrong which then carries through into society
Regulation of sexual behaviour – families support and reinforce the idea that children are born to people in a socially approved sexual relationship
Care of children – it is the family’s responsibility to emotionally and financially support children and to care for their needs
Marxist functions i.e. reinforcing ruling class power
Warm bath theory – family ensures workers are sufficiently cared for and nurtured to work hard and effectively in the workplace
Other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of why some sociologists believe that the family is essential for society and the individual. A tendency to description is likely. Responses may be short and undeveloped, e.g. ‘families can love one another’ 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) Answers in this band will show basic sociological knowledge and understanding of why some sociologists believe that the family is essential for society and the individual. Responses may be underdeveloped and lacking in range. e.g. ‘Families have a responsibility to look after children and no one else can do it as well.’ ‘Families are the best places to socialise and control children’ 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) Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of why some sociologists believe that the family is essential for society and the individual and will be well developed and explained. e.g. ‘The family is crucial for society because it ensures its smooth running through the teaching and transmission of key norms and values. No other institution performs this function as well as the family does through a range of rewards and sanctions and processes such as imitation and positive role modelling’. 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 can living in a single-parent family affect family life? [15]
Candidates should show awareness of a range of different arguments that illustrate how living in a single parent family can affect family life. These may be positive or negative factors or a combination of both. They should also consider points that refute this idea. Candidates may, as an alternative route into the question, construct their debate around the positives vs negatives of the single family. This type of answer should also be credited as a reasonable debate is being made. There is likely to be a focus on how family types have changed over time and the increasing presence of single parent families in society. The diversity of single parent families is also likely to be recognised by some candidates. There are no clear cut arguments for and against the question and thus what is more important when marking here is what the candidate does with the points made and how they formulate their arguments. Possible answers: For
New Right thinkers believe that the lack of a father figure in single parent families leads to inadequate socialisation/lack of discipline for children, particularly boys
Functionalists believe that a family needs two adults to be most effective, one as breadwinner and one in the nurturing role, therefore single parent families are seen to be ‘broken’ and likely to create problems for both children and society
Single parent families are associated by New Right thinkers such as Charles Murray with a child’s underachievement at school, criminal and anti-social behaviour
The media and some political thinkers may demonise single parents, particularly young single teenage mothers, as welfare scroungers who are only interested in benefits not raising a child
Single parent families are more likely to suffer from poverty and can thus be seen to be a burden on the state
Many Functionalist writers believe that single parent families have become an underclass in society who reproduce without thought for the consequences, without a moral framework and then inadequately socialise their children
Single parent families are often the result of divorce and thus all the negatives that this brings i.e. short term distress for children, financial insecurity etc.
Children may be split between two homes, due to a relationship breakdown, and thus lack a clear sense of security and belonging
Other reasonable response. Against
Are Functionalists correct to say that two parents are essential? Lots of single parents have family and friendship networks that enable them to support their children both financially and emotionally
Being in a single parent family is likely to be far better for the child/children than living in an unhappy home or an empty-shell relationship characterised by arguments and sadness
Many children brought up by single parents experience no issues or problems whatsoever
Children brought up by two parents do not always experience no problems and can also be dysfunctional as adults despite having two parents
Single parent families may be the result of escaping from domestic violence, threatening behaviour or abuse. Being in a single parent family situation is clearly preferable
Increasing support from the state via welfare benefits, child policies, education and key professionals means that bringing up children as a single parent need not be problematic and is increasingly seen as ‘normal’
Reasons/effects may be nothing to do with family type and structure but to do with social factors such as class and poverty instead
Feminists believe that women have the right to choose how they wish to raise children and if they decide to do so alone they should be praised and supported
Many children in single parent families have regular contact with both parents and are not affected by their family structure
Being a single parent family is often a temporary stage in life as many lone parents go on to re-marry or begin another relationship
Other types of families may affect family life more than a single parent family i.e. reconstituted etc.
Other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–4) Answers in this band may be vague and largely based on common sense showing limited knowledge of the extent to which living in a single parent affects family life. Use of sociological terms or concepts is very unlikely. Responses may be short, undeveloped and one-sided. e.g. Single parents aren’t very good for children because there’s only one parent to do all the work. OR Single parent families don’t have much money. 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. ‘affects family life’ may mean either financially or emotionally, in the question. Band 2 (5–8) In this band candidates will show some basic knowledge of the extent to which living in a single parent affects 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. Children brought up in single parent families are lacking a male role model because they typically live with their mother. In a single parent family only one wage will be coming into the household meaning that there might be financial problems to deal with etc. 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) Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of the extent to which living in a single parent affects 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 some single parent families seemingly being dysfunctional for their members, this is not true of them all and for lots of children brought up by just one parent they have no problems at all. Or Single parent families may be the result of choices made by women to raise children without a male presence. These women are often middle class professionals and suffer no financial hardships or emotional neglect. 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) Answers in this band will show excellent knowledge and understanding of the extent to which living in a single parent affects 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 whether living in a single parent affects family life, citing some of the examples given. Section B: Education

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