Family functions

    AQA
    GCSE

    The analysis of family functions constitutes a core debate in structural sociology, contrasting consensus (Functionalist) and conflict (Marxist, Feminist) perspectives. Candidates must evaluate the theoretical utility of the family in maintaining social order versus reproducing inequality. The scope encompasses the transition from pre-industrial to industrial society, focusing on the nuclear family's role in primary socialisation, the stabilisation of adult personalities, and the reproduction of the labour force. Mastery requires critiquing the 'universality' of these functions against postmodern evidence of family diversity.

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Credit explicit linkage of Parsons' 'warm bath theory' to the stabilization of adult personalities
    • Award marks for accurate differentiation between Murdock's four universal functions and Parsons' two irreducible functions
    • Responses must contrast Functionalist views with Marxist arguments regarding the family as a unit of consumption and ideological control (Zaretsky)
    • High-level responses must evaluate the functionalist assumption of the nuclear family as universal against family diversity data

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Credit explicit linkage of Parsons' 'warm bath theory' to the stabilization of adult personalities
    • Award marks for accurate differentiation between Murdock's four universal functions and Parsons' two irreducible functions
    • Responses must contrast Functionalist views with Marxist arguments regarding the family as a unit of consumption and ideological control (Zaretsky)
    • High-level responses must evaluate the functionalist assumption of the nuclear family as universal against family diversity data

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 'Discuss how far' questions, ensure the conclusion provides a definitive judgment on the strength of the functionalist view
    • 💡When using the Item, explicitly quote or paraphrase the text and immediately link it to a sociological concept (e.g., 'The Item mentions teaching children right from wrong, which links to primary socialisation')
    • 💡Allocate strictly 1 minute per mark; do not over-write on the 3 and 4 mark questions
    • 💡Juxtapose Feminist perspectives (Delphy and Leonard) directly against Functionalist claims of family harmony to demonstrate AO3 evaluation

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing 'socialisation' (learning norms/values) with 'socialising' (leisure time)
    • Attributing the 'warm bath theory' to Murdock rather than Parsons
    • Providing anecdotal descriptions of personal family life rather than sociological theory
    • Failing to explicitly use the provided Item in 12-mark questions to generate AO2 marks

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss how far
    Outline
    Analyze

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