11. Discuss how far sociologists would agree that the extended family is still important in Britain today.
AQA
GCSE
2020
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Introduction
Define the extended family and briefly outline its traditional importance. State the essay's aim: to assess the continued importance of the extended family in contemporary Britain.
The Functionalist Perspective
Explain: Functionalists see the family as a vital institution that performs essential functions for society. Discuss Parsons' ideas about primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities. Apply: How might these functions be assisted by the extended family? Consider support with childcare, emotional support during crises, etc. Evaluate: Is this perspective outdated? Does it assume a traditional family structure that is less common today? Consider the impact of geographical mobility and changing family forms (single-parent, blended, etc.).
The Feminist Perspective
Explain: Feminists often critique the family as a site of patriarchal oppression. Outline the concept of the 'dual burden' or 'triple shift' for women. Apply: How might the extended family contribute to or alleviate this burden? Consider the role of grandparents in childcare, but also the potential for increased expectations of women to provide care for elderly relatives. Evaluate: Does this perspective overemphasize the negative aspects? Could the extended family also offer women valuable support and a sense of community?
The Marxist Perspective
Explain: Marxists view the family as serving the interests of capitalism. Outline how the family reproduces and socializes the next generation of workers. Apply: How might the extended family play a role in this? Consider the potential for financial support during economic hardship, reducing reliance on state welfare. Evaluate: Is this perspective too deterministic? Does it neglect the emotional bonds and personal choices within families? Consider the potential for extended families to challenge capitalist norms through alternative living arrangements and shared resources.
Cultural and Ethnic Differences
Explain: The importance of the extended family varies significantly across cultures. Apply: Provide specific examples of cultures within Britain (e.g., British Asian communities) where the extended family remains central. Discuss the reasons behind this - strong cultural traditions, migration patterns, etc. Evaluate: Is it accurate to generalize about entire cultural groups? Consider the diversity within ethnic groups and the influence of wider societal changes, even within communities where extended family ties are traditionally strong.
Social and Economic Changes
Explain: Acknowledge the significant changes in British society - increased geographical mobility, women's increased participation in the workforce, the rise of individualism. Apply: How have these factors impacted the extended family? Discuss the potential for weakened ties due to distance, the changing roles of women, and a greater emphasis on individual achievement. Evaluate: Have these changes inevitably led to the decline of the extended family? Consider the role of technology in maintaining connections and the resurgence of intergenerational living arrangements in response to economic pressures like the housing crisis.
Official Statistics
Explain: Introduce relevant statistical data on household composition in Britain. (e.g., trends in multi-generational households, data on the frequency of contact between extended family members). Apply: Analyze the trends - Do they support or challenge the idea that the extended family is declining in importance? Be cautious in interpreting statistics - correlation does not equal causation. Evaluate: Statistics can only tell part of the story. Consider what they don't reveal about the quality of relationships or the subjective experiences of individuals within families.
Conclusion
Summarize the arguments presented. Acknowledge the complexity of the issue - there is no simple answer. Offer a balanced judgment on how far sociologists would agree with the statement, supporting the judgment with evidence from the essay. Consider ending with a thoughtful reflection on the potential future of the extended family in British society.
The Importance of the Extended Family in Contemporary Britain
The extended family, traditionally consisting of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins living in close proximity or under one roof, has long been considered a cornerstone of societal structure. This essay will delve into the ongoing debate among sociologists regarding the continued importance of the extended family in Britain today, considering perspectives from functionalism, feminism, and Marxism, while also examining the influence of cultural variations, economic shifts, and official statistics.
Functionalist Perspective
Functionalists, like Parsons, view society as an interconnected system where institutions work together to maintain stability. They argue that the extended family plays a vital role in providing practical and emotional support, particularly in times of crisis. For instance, grandparents often provide childcare, enabling parents to participate in the workforce, which benefits the economy. This perspective emphasizes the positive functions of the extended family in maintaining societal equilibrium.
Feminist Perspective
Feminists, however, offer a more critical analysis. They argue that the emphasis on family support often translates into an unequal burden on women. Daughters and daughters-in-law are often expected to take on the lion's share of caregiving responsibilities for both children and aging parents, limiting their career prospects and perpetuating gender inequality. This perspective highlights the potential for the extended family structure to reinforce patriarchal norms and disadvantage women.
Marxist Perspective
Marxists view the family within the context of capitalist exploitation. They argue that the extended family can serve the interests of capitalism by providing a safety net that reduces the state's responsibility for social welfare. For example, families may care for elderly relatives instead of relying on state-funded care homes. This perspective suggests that the extended family can be exploited by the capitalist system to minimize its own costs.
Cultural and Ethnic Differences
It is crucial to acknowledge the diversity of family structures in Britain. Cultural and ethnic backgrounds significantly influence the importance placed on extended family ties. For instance, extended family networks often play a more central role in the lives of British Asian families, offering practical and emotional support, upholding cultural traditions, and assisting with economic activities. This emphasizes the need to avoid generalizations and recognize the varied experiences of families within contemporary British society.
Economic Changes and the Changing Role of Women
The decline of traditional industries and the rise of the service sector have led to increased geographical mobility, making it more challenging for extended families to live close to one another. Simultaneously, women's increased participation in the workforce and growing financial independence may have reduced their reliance on extended family support. However, this does not necessarily negate the emotional value and social connections that extended family relationships can provide.
Official Statistics and Evidence-Based Judgments
Official statistics on household composition in the UK show a trend towards smaller, nuclear families. However, these statistics do not fully capture the complexity of family relationships. While geographical proximity might be less common, extended families may maintain strong connections through regular communication and visits, suggesting that emotional ties can persist despite physical distance.
Conclusion
The question of the extended family's importance in Britain today elicits diverse sociological perspectives. While functionalists highlight the family's role in providing support and stability, feminists point to the potential for gender inequalities, and Marxists critique its exploitation within capitalism. Cultural variations, economic shifts, and changing gender roles further complicate the picture. While official statistics may suggest a decline in traditional extended family structures, they do not capture the full extent of familial ties. Ultimately, the significance of the extended family varies considerably based on individual circumstances, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic factors. It is essential to avoid generalizations and recognize the diverse experiences and evolving nature of family life in contemporary Britain.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Indicative Content AO1
• Functionalist perspective.
• Feminist perspective.
• Marxist perspective.
• Cultural/ethnic differences.
• Economic changes.
• Official statistics.
Indicative Content AO2
• Functionalist perspective, eg the functional importance of the extended family.
• Feminist perspective, eg demands placed on women, in providing child care and looking after elderly parents.
• Marxist perspective, eg the extended family as beneficial to the capitalist economic system.
• Cultural/ethnic differences, eg the extended family in British Asian family life.
• Changing role of women, eg women’s increased employment opportunities and growing financial independence potentially reducing the need for a supportive extended family.
• Official statistics, eg trend data on households in the United Kingdom.
Indicative Content AO3
• Analysis and evaluation of the functionalist perspective on the importance of the extended family.
• Analysis and evaluation of the feminist perspective on the importance of the extended family.
• Analysis and evaluation of the Marxist perspective on the importance of the extended family.
• Analysis and evaluation of the cultural and ethnic differences relating to the importance of the extended family.
• Analysis and evaluation of the changing role of women in society and changes in employment as significant factors, eg do many working women still need the support of an extended family network?
• Analysis and evaluation of relevant official statistics, eg is there any relevant statistical evidence to support a decline in the importance of extended family relationships?
• Evidence based judgements and conclusions relating to the issue of extent (how far would sociologists agree) eg in the judgement of the student how far does the evidence suggest the premise of the question that the extended family is still important in Britain today.