Sociology · Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 22 · Question 1

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In modern industrial societies there are many demographic trends that are changing families and relationships. Marriage, birth and death rates have all been affected in various ways and with many different consequences. Indeed, whether marriage is still seen to be important today is now a matter for debate.

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1(a)[2]
What is meant by the term ‘demographic trend’? [2]
Patterns in population change such as the birth and death rate. One mark for partial definition, e.g. birth rate OR population. Two marks for clear definition, e.g. patterns in the population measured by factors such as the birth and death rate.
1(b)[4]
Describe two reasons for the rise in divorce rates. [4]
Candidates will be expected to describe two reasons for the rise in divorce rates. General reasons for divorce are not creditable unless they are linked to why the rate has increased. Possible reasons:
Changes in the law have made divorce easier/possible in many countries, i.e. the UK Divorce Reform Act;
Changing attitudes/morals – getting divorced no longer has a stigma attached to it;
Decline in the importance of religion – secularisation – religious vows are no longer taken as seriously and are not always seen as being for life;
Communities no longer exert informal social control over people in order to keep couples together, due to privatisation and geographical mobility;
Feminists believe that women are no longer willing to put up with an unfulfilling/abusive marriage and so will opt for divorce;
As people live longer and in better health, the potential time they will be married has increased. This may explain the growing number of people divorcing later in life;
Responsibilities on the family to care for elderly relatives because of today’s ageing population;
Divorce is now much cheaper and can be settled out of court, i.e. ‘DIY’ divorces, meaning that all members of society can afford to do it;
Growing expectations of marriage – people expect more and are more willing to leave if the marriage doesn’t live up to this – empty shell marriages;
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 an ageing population is affecting family life. [6]
Candidates need to show an understanding of how an ageing population is affecting family life. Effects explained may be either positive or negative or a mixture of both. Possible answers:
Many older people rely on their children to care for them in their old age;
Some households are now three generational as grand-parents move in;
A bigger role for grand-parents in helping out with childcare, emotional, practical and financial support;
Adult children may have to deal with the pressures and burden of looking after their elderly parents or deciding to place them in care homes;
Children may have grand-parents as a key source of primary socialisation;
Other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of how an ageing population is affecting family life and may talk about, e.g. ‘grand-parents moving in’. 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 how an ageing population is affecting family life. Sociological terms and concepts should be expected, e.g. ‘As people live longer there becomes an increased need for family to care for ageing relatives which has both emotional and financial consequences’. 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 birth rate has fallen in most modern industrial societies. [8]
Candidates should show awareness of the various reasons why the birth rate has fallen. Possible answers:
More opportunities for women to work and to have a career has restricted the amount of children they can have;
A smaller family makes it easier to move house, important for geographical mobility;
Wider availability of contraception (often free) allows women to control the amount of children they have;
The welfare state, pension and savings means that people will be looked after in old age, having children to fulfil this role is no longer necessary;
Fewer children today die during infancy therefore there is little need for families to have large amounts of children to ensure survival;
Children may be seen as a financial cost rather than a benefit today as it is very expensive to raise children;
Women are typically having children later on in life meaning their opportunities for having children are lessened;
Other reasonable response. Band 0 No creditworthy response. Band 1 (1–3) Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of why the birth rate has fallen. A tendency to description is likely. Responses may be short and undeveloped, e.g. ‘children cost too much’ 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 the birth rate has fallen. Responses may be underdeveloped and lacking in range, e.g. ‘It is now normal for women to engage in paid employment and strive for a career so they don’t have as many children’. 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 the birth rate has fallen and will be well developed and explained, e.g. ‘Women have fought for equality in society and are therefore in control of their bodies and lives through education, careers and contraception. They may feel that having a large number of children will prevent them achieving all that they wish to in life and so decide to just have one or two. Because they are likely to have their children later on in life too, the possibilities for pregnancy are also less’. 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 marriage still seen to be important in modern industrial societies?[15] Candidates should show awareness of the ways that marriage is seen to be important today as well as considering the arguments for its lesser importance. It is likely that there will be a wide range of cultural and religious examples used in candidates’ answers, reflecting their diverse experiences and backgrounds. Points and arguments can be used both for and against the question depending on the candidates’ explanations and examiners should credit these accordingly. Possible answers: For:
A growing number of marriages today are remarriages, emphasising that it is still seen as important;
For religious individuals and communities, marriage is still highly valued;
Homosexuals have pushed for changes in the law to legalise gay marriages, emphasising that it is still seen to be important;
Most people are still socialised to believe that they will get married and hope and look forward to this;
Many people choose to get married later in life, wanting to choose the right partner. This emphasises how it is still seen to be important;
Civil partnerships are now commonplace, giving the same rights to same sex couples as married couples therefore suggesting that the concept of marriage is still important;
Serial monogamy through marriage is now commonplace and accepted;
The divorce rate has started to decline;
Cohabitation as a precursor to marriage, i.e. a ‘trial marriage’ showing that marriage is still seen to be important;
Marriage is seen by many to legitimise their relationship and is still therefore wanted and valued;
Arranged marriages are still the norm in some modern industrial societies;
Other reasonable response. Against:
Fall in the marriage rate;
Divorce easily available and no longer frowned upon;
Growing number of one person households and people (especially middle class women) choosing singlehood over marriage;
Increasing acceptance of homosexual relationships;
People choosing to live together in households/communes rather than the traditional path of marriage;
Increasing amount of and acceptance of cohabitation;
Women may choose to have and raise children on their own as single parents without the need to be married;
Decline in religion in secular societies means that marriage may be seen to be less important and necessary;
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 whether marriage is still seen to be important in modern industrial society. Use of sociological terms or concepts is very unlikely. Responses may be short, undeveloped and one-sided, e.g. less marriages happen today showing it’s not that important anymore. 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. marriage is the formal union of two people recognised by law, in the question. Band 2 (5–8) In this band candidates will show some basic knowledge of whether marriage is still seen to be important in modern industrial society. 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. ‘A lot of people today choose to live together without getting married as this isn’t seen to be a bad thing anymore’. 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 whether marriage is still seen to be important in modern industrial society. 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. Marriage is undeniably less common than in the past as statistics prove. A key reason for this may be the fact that many societies are now secular and so there is less pressure and need to get married. Many people therefore choose to cohabit instead.’ 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 whether marriage is still seen to be important in modern industrial society. 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 marriage is still seen as important, citing some of the examples given. Section B: Education

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