Unit 4: Family

Definition questions [2 marks]

What is meant by the term ‘traditional conjugal roles’?

What is meant by the term ‘reconstituted family’?

What is meant by the term ‘empty-shell marriage’?

Describe questions [4 - 8 marks]

Describe two ways families may not be symmetrical.

Describe two demographic trends that affect family life.

Describe two paternal roles in the family.

Describe two examples of family diversity

Explain question [6 marks]
Explain how family life can vary cross-culturally.

Explain how decreasing birth rates are affecting the family.

Explain how family functions are changing in modern industrial societies. [Functionalist]
Family functions –

Explain how the extended family exists in different forms today.

Explain how Marxists view the functions of the family.

Explain question [8 mark]
Explain why there is a growth of joint conjugal roles in modern industrial societies.

Explain why men’s roles in families are changing.

Explain why traditional conjugal roles are less likely to be found in modern industrial
societies. [role of feminism]

Explain why living alone has become more common for individuals in modern industrial
societies.

Explain why some families are symmetrical.

SYMMETRICAL FAMILY
Explain how feminism has affected family life in modern industrial societies.

Explain how social class can affect marriage and family life.

Explain why urbanisation causes families to change.

Explain how primary socialisation can lead to social conformity.

Explain why marriage is still important today.

Explain why reconstituted families are becoming more common in modern industrial
societies.
Essay questions- To what extent… [15 mark]

To what extent does ethnicity impact upon experiences of family life?

FOR：

AGAINST：

To what extent is family life negative for its members? [Dark side + feminist]
FOR:

AGAINST:
To what extent are families functional for individuals and society?
FOR:

AGAINST:

To what extent can living in a single parent family have a negative effect on family life?
FOR:

AGAINST:
 To what extent is marriage still the norm in modern industrial societies?
FOR:

AGAINST:

To what extent are grandparents important to the family today?

FOR:

AGAINST:
To what extent is family life today based on gender inequalities?
For:

Against：