...Assess sociological views of the impact of government policies and laws on family life (24 marks) There have been a number of government policies that have impacted on family life and made it better and worse. These policies include changes in law on divorce which has resulted in family diversity such as the increase in cohabitation, lone parent and reconstituted families. According to Murray, the growth of lone-parent families is due to an over generous welfare state which has resulted in a dependency culture. Changes in the law on the position of women which has affected family life positively. Women can now control their fertility with the use of contraception, which results in smaller families making them more child-centred. Women are also going out to work more therefore delaying having children until they are much older. In the early 19th century divorce used to be difficult to obtain. Women were not allowed to divorce their husbands and because the traditional nuclear family was the only family that was well looked upon, couples rarely got divorced as other family types were looked down upon. However, changes in the law have made divorce easier to access, especially for women. Government policies equalised the grounds for divorce between the sexes and made divorce cheaper. This was then followed by a rise in the number of divorce petitions from women as it was much easier to obtain. Changes in the law on divorce had a huge effect on family life as family diversity emerged...
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...Specification) Past Exam Questions Although June 2016 will be a new specification and exam structure much of the material you have learnt in families and households applies to the new exam. Below are examples of questions taken from the old exam papers that you should practice writing plans for as they are still relevant. However there are a few key differences: * The question you will answer will be worth 20 marks not 24 marks. * You will have 30 minutes to write a 20 mark answer. * The essays will consist 4 paragraphs and a conclusion containing new information. How to use this document: * Use the extract from the mark scheme and examiners’ advice to create essay plans of the questions. * You may not have heard of all of the concepts in the mark scheme but there should be at least some that are familiar to you. * The examiner’s advice usually outlines bad, moderate and good answers to the question so pick out the ways in which you can achieve top band and incorporate this into your plan. June 2015 Examine the impact of government policies and laws on family life. [24 marks] From the mark scheme: Concepts and issues such as the following may appear: patriarchy; familism; surveillance; ideological control; gender regimes; marital breakdown; family structure; family diversity; welfare dependency; underclass; reserve army of labour Policies/laws on abortion; divorce; contraception; reproductive technology; marriage; adoption; pensions; benefits; taxes; education; childcare;...
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...different ways. Parsons describes the division of labour in the traditional nuclear family in terms of an expressive role and an instrumental role. However, this traditional arrangement may have changed as families have changed, and many feminists use the term ‘dual burden’ to describe the woman’s role in the family today. Item 2B Government policies and laws include tax and benefit policies as well as legislation such as relating to divorce and marriage. Sociologists have different views on the impact of these policies and laws on families. For example, feminists argue that social policies assume that the ideal family is a patriarchal nuclear family, and that government policies and laws therefore favour this sort of family. On the other hand, the New Right argue that the benefit system undermines traditional nuclear families by actively encouraging lone parents. 0 6 Explain what is meant by the ‘dual burden’ (Item 2A). (2 marks) 0 7 Explain the difference between the expressive role and the instrumental role (Item 2A). (4 marks) 0 8 Suggest three ways in which the differences between children and adults are becoming less clear in society today. (6 marks) 0 9 Examine the reasons for, and the effects of, changes in family size over the past 100 years or so. (24 marks) 1 0 Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess sociological views of the impact of government policies and laws on family life. Item 2A Over the past 40 years or so, there has been a decline in the number...
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...AQA Unit 1 Families & Households specimen | (a) Explain what is meant by .primary socialisation. (Item 2A, line 7). (2 marks)(b) Suggest two ways in which childhood has become .a specially protected and privileged time of life. (Item 2A, lines 4 . 5). (4 marks) (c) Suggest three reasons for the increase in the divorce rate since 1969. (6 marks) | (d) Examine the ways in which social policies and laws may influence families and households. (24 marks) | (e) Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the view that it no longer makes sense to talk about the .patriarchal family. (Item 2B, lines 1 . 2). (24 marks) | Jan 09 | (a) Explain what is meant by the ‘expressive role’ (Item 2A, line 5). (2 marks)(b) Suggest two ways in which ‘family life may have a harmful effect on women’(Item 2A, lines 6 – 7). (4 marks)(c) Suggest three reasons for the decrease in the death rate since 1900. (6 marks) | (d) Examine the ways in which childhood can be said to be socially constructed. (24 marks) | (e) Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the view that the nuclear family is no longer the norm. (24 marks) | Jun 09 | 0 6 Explain the difference between a family and a household (Item 2A). (4 marks)0 7 Suggest two reasons why lone-parent families are more likely to be headed by a female. (4 marks)0 8 Suggest two reasons why there has been an increase in one-person households(Item 2A, line 3). (4 marks) | 0 9 Examine the reasons for changes in birth rates and family size since...
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...Version 1.0 General Certificate of Education January 2012 Sociology SCLY1 1191 Culture and Identity; Families and Households; Wealth, Poverty and Welfare Unit 1 Mark Scheme Mark schemes are prepared by the Principal Examiner and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation meeting attended by all examiners and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation meeting ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’ responses to questions and that every examiner understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for the standardisation meeting each examiner analyses a number of students’ scripts: alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed at the meeting and legislated for. If, after this meeting, examiners encounter unusual answers which have not been discussed at the meeting they are required to refer these to the Principal Examiner. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. Further copies of this Mark Scheme are available to download from the...
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...‘Assess’ Essay Planning Sheet Name: Essay Title: Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess sociological explanations of changes in the status of childhood (24 marks) | Underline or highlight the key concepts, terms and instructions, by identifying these key elements it will allow you to focus on answering the question. It is important to use relevant sociological terminology within the context of you essay. List the key sociological terms that will be appropriate for this essay. Privileged time, social construct, golden age, separateness, toxic childhood, child-centred, march of progress, conflict view, child liberationists, globalisation, information hierarchy | IntroductionSignpost to the question and clearly explain the key concepts /terms of the question | In today’s society, childhood is seen to be socially constructed in that this idea of childhood has been created by society and its institutions rather than being a natural occurrence; it is society’s perception of what childhood is. Sociologists argue that childhood and the position that children have in society is not fixed, and that it differs between times, places, and cultures. However, children all have different experiences of what childhood is to them based on class, gender, and ethnicity so no one would experience childhood in the same way. | Paragraph 1PointThe point must be appropriate in answering the question. | The modern western...
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...fundamentally important to their future development and consequently to society as a whole”, (Early Years Framework, 2009). There are however multiple and diverse childhoods. This report will firstly examine legislation which has been introduced to reduce inequalities and promote social inclusion in relation to early childhood. The second section of this report will critically examine some of the sociological concepts pertaining to poverty, class, health inequalities and the harmful effects of stereotyping and prejudice. The report will also explore some of the factors that can influence and shape children’s identity and multiple identities. The third section of this report will discuss the effectiveness of government policy and how this is translated into practice. The final section will discuss practice which promotes equality and inclusion with reference to a placement task. In conclusion the report will discuss if current legislation, policy and practice is effective in demonstrating an inclusive approach. Legislation The Equality Act (2010) streamlines and strengthens the law and gives individuals greater protection from unfair discrimination and makes it easier for employers and companies to understand their responsibilities. It also sets a new standard for those who provide public services to treat everyone, with dignity and respect. There are nine protected characteristics mentioned throughout the Act. It requires equal treatment in access to employment as well as private...
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...Poverty From Multiple Social Science Perspectives A Learning Resource for Staff Development In Social Service Agencies Michael J. Austin, PhD, Editor BASSC Staff Director Mack Professor of Nonprofit Management School of Social Welfare University of California, Berkeley 510-642-7066 mjaustin@berkeley.edu August 2006 1 Table of Contents Introduction – Michael J. Austin, Guest Editor Part I Multiple Social Science Perspectives of Poverty Theories of Poverty: Findings from Textbooks on Human Behavior and the Social Environment Amanda J. Lehning, Catherine M. Vu, & Indira Pintak Economic Theories of Poverty Sun Young Jung & Richard Smith Sociological Theories of Poverty in Urban America Jennifer Price Wolf Psychological Theories of Poverty Kelly Turner & Amanda Lehning An Anthropological View of Poverty Kristine Frerer & Catherine Vu Political Science Perspectives on Poverty Amanda Lehning Theories of Global Poverty in the Developed and Developing World Jennifer Morazes & Indira Pintak Part II Theory Integration and Practitioner Perspectives Social Capital and Neighborhood Poverty: Toward an Ecologically-Grounded Model of Neighborhood Effects Kathy Lemon Osterling Social Work Students’ Perceptions of Poverty Sherrill Clark The Explosive Nature of the Culture of Poverty: A Teaching Case Based on An Agency-based Training Program Catherine Vu & Michael J. Austin 2 Understanding Poverty From Multiple Social Science Perspectives ...
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...because you have no choice on the exam paper. The specification 1 Different theories of crime, deviance, social order and social control * Different definitions of crime, deviance, social order and social control * The distinction between sociological theories of crime and other theories (eg biological, psychological); crime and deviance as socially constructed * Functionalist theories of crime: Durkheim, anomie, collective conscience; Merton’s strain theory; manifest and latent functions; functionalist subcultural theories * Marxist and neo-Marxist theories of crime: classical Marxism, laws reflecting class interests; Neo-Marxism, hegemony, the CCCS studies, critical and new criminology * Interactionist theories of crime: labelling theory, the self-fulfilling prophecy * Feminist theories of crime: patriarchy, male control of women’s lives * Control theory and other contemporary approaches to crime: social bonds, communitarianism, situational prevention; postmodern theories; Foucault on individualisation and surveillance * Realist theories: New Left Realism and Right Realism * The relevance of the various theories to understanding different types of crime, and their implications for social policy. 2 The social distribution of crime and deviance by age, ethnicity, gender, locality and social class, including recent patterns and trends in crime * Study of statistics and other evidence on the social distribution of crime by age, ethnicity...
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...because you have no choice on the exam paper. The specification 1 Different theories of crime, deviance, social order and social control * Different definitions of crime, deviance, social order and social control * The distinction between sociological theories of crime and other theories (eg biological, psychological); crime and deviance as socially constructed * Functionalist theories of crime: Durkheim, anomie, collective conscience; Merton’s strain theory; manifest and latent functions; functionalist subcultural theories * Marxist and neo-Marxist theories of crime: classical Marxism, laws reflecting class interests; Neo-Marxism, hegemony, the CCCS studies, critical and new criminology * Interactionist theories of crime: labelling theory, the self-fulfilling prophecy * Feminist theories of crime: patriarchy, male control of women’s lives * Control theory and other contemporary approaches to crime: social bonds, communitarianism, situational prevention; postmodern theories; Foucault on individualisation and surveillance * Realist theories: New Left Realism and Right Realism * The relevance of the various theories to understanding different types of crime, and their implications for social policy. 2 The social distribution of crime and deviance by age, ethnicity, gender, locality and social class, including recent patterns and trends in crime * Study of statistics and other evidence on the social distribution of crime by age, ethnicity...
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...Unit 7- sociological perspectives for health and social care P1 – Explain the principal sociological perspectives Sociological Perspectives | Main Points | Criticisms | Functionalism | Functionalist believe that just as the body functions through the efficient interrelationship of major organs and has disease, so the different institutions in society each have particular contributions to make. They work together and use methods of social control to deal with deviant members or groups, to ensure that society functions smoothly. Parsons (1902-1979) saw society as a system made up of interrelated institutions, which contributed to its smooth running and continuity. He thought that the main role of an institution is to socialise individuals and ensure that they understood the underlying values of their society and behave in acceptable ways. Murdock(1897-1985) did a study of the family, examined over 250 societies and concluded that in all societies the family performed 4 functions: * Sexual function which was allowed for the expression of sexuality in an approved context * Reproductive function which provided stability for the rearing children * Socialisation included the responsibility of teaching children the acceptable ways of behaving in society * Economic function meant that food, shelter, and financial security had to be provided for the family membersParsons(1951) argued that the family had only two basic functions which were: * The primary socialisation of children...
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...Glossary of Sociological Terms |11-Plus Exam |Examination introduced with the 1944 Education Act, sat by all pupils in the state sector| | |at the age of 11. If they passed they went to the selective Grammar School, or if they | | |failed to the Secondary Modern School. This exam still exists in some counties such as | | |Kent and also in Northern Ireland. | |12-Plus Exam |Exam made available only to a minority of 'high-flyers' in Secondary Modern schools, | | |offering a late chance to go to Grammar School at the age of 12. | |'30-30-40 society' |A term associated with Will Hutton to describe an increasingly insecure and polarised | | |society. The bottom 30 per cent is socially excluded by poverty from the rest of society.| | |The next 30 per cent live in fear and insecurity of falling into poverty. Only the top 40| | |per cent feel secure and confident. ...
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...Career Guidance Theories Career guidance theories provide insight into how individuals make career decisions and what influences impact on those decisions throughout the course of a person’s life. Most have derived from the different branches of psychology; personality, developmental, cognitive and social. More contemporary theories however consider the sociological influences on career journeys too. Most acknowledge the role of career guidance, although differ on opinion as to when, how often and the resulting impact of guidance. Career guidance practice is informed by theory. Theories are used to devise policies over careers education and guidance and to provide tools for evaluation and amendment of practices. In 1908 Parsons developed what is considered the first theory of vocational guidance. The ‘talent matching’ approach. Parsons based this theory on three ideas; (a) people are different, (b) jobs are different and (c) by studying both individual and jobs, it should be possible to match them up. This theory implies it is possible to measure individual talents and the skills required for particular jobs, assumes people perform best when matched to a job suited to their abilities and therefore assumes that career decision making is of a rational nature. Others have developed this theory, sometimes referred to as ‘person-environment fit’ or trait/factor further. Rodger (1952) developed a ‘seven point plan’ with matching at the centre of the process. He...
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...Corporate governance Two definitions: 1. ASX CGC: rules, relationship, systems and processes help a company to monitor and assess risk, optimize performance, create value and provide accountability. a) A narrow definition which consistent with agency theory focuses on relationship between company and shareholders. 2. OECD: a system a company can be directed and controlled, specify rights, responsibilities and rules; set and achieve objectives and monitor performance. b) A board definition consider relationship between company and stakeholders 3. Agency theory c) A contract under which one or more person engage another person or persons to perform some service on their behalf d) Agency problem rise because of the conflict of interest between principle and agent e) Three specific problems: i. Managers try to maximize their wealth at the expense of shareholders ii. Tendency for management to focus on short-term performance iii. Different attitude of managers and shareholders towards risk f) Corporate governance structures, policies and relationships can help to overcome these three related agency problems iv. Independent board of directors v. Independent board chair vi. Independent board subcommittees such as audit, remuneration and nomination 4. Stakeholder theory g) Reject the only important relationship is shareholders and managers, but consider...
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...GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DIPLOMACY STUDENT GUIDELINE NOTES GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY MODULE Paste the notes here… Political economy originally was the term for studying production, buying and selling, and their relations with law, custom, and government. Political economy originated in moral philosophy (e.g. Adam Smith was Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Glasgow), it developed in the 18th century as the study of the economies of states — polities, hence political economy. In late nineteenth century, the term "political economy" was generally replaced by the term economics, used by those seeking to place the study of economy upon mathematical and axiomatic bases, rather than the structural relationships of production and consumption (cf. marginalism, Alfred Marshall). History of the term Originally, political economy meant the study of the conditions under which production was organized in the nation-states. The phrase économie politique (translated in English as political economy) first appeared in France in 1615 with the well known book by Antoyne de Montchrétien: Traicté de l’oeconomie politique. French physiocrats, Adam Smith, David Ricardo and Karl Marx were some of the exponents of political economy. In 1805, Thomas Malthus became England's first professor of political economy, at the East India Company College, Haileybury, Hertfordshire. The world's first professorship in political economy was established...
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