...knowledge, evaluate the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family. (20 marks) Functionalism is a structural theory, as it sees society as a system made of various institutions such as family, education and religion. Functionalists follow the to-down approach which starts analysis with the social structure of society than the individuals, they also believe that our behavior is shaped and directed by the system as we are the product of society. As mentioned in Item B, functionalists believe that family is an important institution in society as they have a certain amount of roles that are vital for society to run smoothly. In addition to this, functionalists also believe that family is an agent of primary socialization, socializing children into the culture of society, children learn the norms and values of society in the family becoming a reproduction of society. Parsons studied on white m/c Americans and found that the family is the best place for primary socialization as it shows security and mutual support, also married couples gain emotional support and security from being married being able to encourage one another. However, the functionalist perspectives have been highly criticized as it seems they assume that the family benefits everyone and the views of socialization being a one-way process in which children learning their culture. Furthermore, a Marxist would reject and disapprove the functionalist idea and say that society is based...
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...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 * The stabilisation of adult personalities | * It doesn’t address areas of conflict( dark side of the family) * Functionalist emphasise consensus and agreement and paint a positive picture of family does not seem...
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...Task Essay Question(s): Evaluate feminist views on the role and functions of religion in society today (18marks) Patriarchal Vehicle Evidence of patriarchy; * Sacred text, places of worship etc. Woodhead, Armstrong etc Criticism and strengths. Task Essay Question(s): Evaluate feminist views on the role and functions of religion in society today (18marks) Patriarchal Vehicle Evidence of patriarchy; * Sacred text, places of worship etc. Woodhead, Armstrong etc Criticism and strengths. Evaluate postmodernist explanations of the role & functions of religion in contemporary society (33marks) (Plan and case) Evaluate postmodernist explanations of the role & functions of religion in contemporary society (33marks) (Plan and case) Feminists see religion as a patriarchal institution; maintaining male dominance over women by allowing them to believe that it is their divine right to dominate. As well as this, they believe that religion functions as a patriarchal ideology that is a vehicle that perpetuates inequity and such beliefs legitimizes female subservience and oppression. El Saadawi, says that religion is distorted to acquiesce patriarchal domination in which they exploit women in multiple ways; prostitution, slavery and abortion. However, functionalists believe otherwise and argue that its function is not to oppress women but necessary as to keep society stable whilst Marxists believe that religion oppresses the working class and serves capitalism not females...
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...SCLY1 (Old 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;...
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...Essay: Evaluate the role of education in society. Consider issue of gender in your response. Also, consider how such factors may impact on a person’s life chances. This essay will examine the role of education in society and an analysis of inequality in relation to Gender. It will discuss briefly education and examine the different theoretical approaches to education followed by an analysis of inequality using information on statistics of inequality in British education in relation to gender and attainment. This essay will Identify and evaluate key policy developments in education provision designed to bridge the gap of gender inequality in British education. The role of education in society has been among the major issues in contemporary sociological and political debate. According to Iannelli and Paterson (2005) education is a major factor that helps determine the jobs and social class positions of individuals in society. As an institution of sociology, education plays a dominant role in transmitting prevalent ideologies of society by providing pupils with the curriculum and hidden curriculum as well as the skills that will prepare them physically, mentally and socially for their life chances (Clark 2005). Educational institutions play a very important role in reducing social inequalities. Over the last century British schools experienced very important changes and moved from a selective system to a comprehensive one in the 1960s and 70s. Much research has shown that the...
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...Essay on the Scope of Political Science by Suhana Dhawan There is no general agreement on the nature and scope of Political Science, “the master science” as Aristotle described it, since there is no generally accepted definition of the discipline, and its organising concept the State. The definitions of both Political Science and the State, the latter in particular, reveal the bias of the thinkers, for example, the metaphysical (Hegel), the juridical (Austin), the sociological (Maclver), the descriptive (Garner) and many others with their own distinctive labels. In fact, there are as many definitions as there are writers on the subject and all these definitions give to the entity — the State — different meanings and conflicting roles. This tendency continues even now though in a slightly different form. “The recent definitions of politics (as a study),” writes Frank Thakurdas, “are not so much cast in the discipline of the thinker (easily detectable) but in the conceptual framework that he has worked out in advance (as it were) the basic presupposition of his personal manner of interpreting the complete phenomenon of politics. But also including the ‘purpose’ that the studies involve in terms of the practical ends they sub serve.” Some writers restrict the scope of Political Science to the study of the State alone, for example, Bluntschli. All such writers exclude the study of government from the scope of Political Science, for the State for them obviously includes the study...
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...problems which occurred in society. It may affect or damage the society. When individual or a group of people violate the norms and values found in society it becomes a social problem. Also we can find out it as a condition that at least some people in a community view as being undesirable. In early days sociologist thought behaviors of the bad people create the social problems. They thought lack of education, incomplete socialization, and mental disorders made people bad. They identify mainly murder and suicide as social problem. There are 2 sociological definitions for social problems; - A social problem is created by here being a gap between the objectives of society and the actual condition prevailing in that society - A social problem is a situation in society that a majority of people living in that society consider to be a problem Different societies have different social problems. Sometimes, a behavior which normal in one society may be a significant social problem in another society. Now think everyone believe murders, suicides are social problems. In other hand school gang sing in the back seat of the bus may be consider as an undesirable social condition by some other people. But that school gang never considers it as an undesirable act. Taking alcohol in Galle face, non drinkers consider it is a social problem immediately we have to ban it. But alcohol lovers think it is a good task in new society. As we know prostitution is...
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...Carolina Department of Education Columbia, South Carolina State Board Approved Document – August 18, 2011 Contents Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1 Social Studies Standards Page Format .............................................................................................5 Grade-Level Standards for Social Studies Grades K–3 Kindergarten. Foundations of Social Studies: Children as Citizens ...............................................7 Grade 1. Foundations of Social Studies: Families........................................................................12 Grade 2. Foundations of Social Studies: Communities ................................................................17 Grade 3. South Carolina Studies ..................................................................................................22 Grades 4–5 Grade 4. United States Studies to 1865 ........................................................................................29 Grade 5. United States Studies: 1865 to the Present ....................................................................36 Grades 6–8 Grade 6. Early Cultures to 1600 ...................................................................................................45 Grade 7. Contemporary...
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...workplace. Success often appears to be measured in only dollars. The claim that “greed is good” seems to reflect the behavior of many people in our society. Indeed, the desire to possess more and more seems pervasive—and business, like other institutions, reflects the values, beliefs, and personal goals of our society. Time, Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, and countless other magazines and newspapers have called attention to unethical practices, bemoaning the “sleaze, scandals, and hypocrisy”1 undermining our moral bearings. In short, there is a great deal of concern about ethics in general, and business ethics in particular. This reading will examine what ethics is and how people decide what is “right” and “wrong.” The word ethics has a number of meanings. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary gives several definitions of ethics, including: ● the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation ● a set of moral principles or values ● a theory or system of moral values 2 ● the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group. Ethics, in all of these definitions, is concerned with right or wrong behavior. This reading focuses on the discipline or study of ethics. 1. THE DISCIPLINE OF ETHICS This discipline consists of the examination and evaluation of actions, social practices, institutions, and systems to determine whether and why they are good or bad, right or wrong, and whether they should be promoted or reformed—in short, whether particular...
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...of exploring the true possibilities of mankind uncovering the common thread of humanity the opportunity to think differently GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD peace . It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hardwork. It means to be in the middle of those things and still be calm in your heart. Educate a generation. Rebuild a nation. FROM HARM TO HOME. Our education support is a key part of these comprehensive program to renew dignity and self-reliance, for the people all over the WORLD. INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FOR PEACE We need a school and teachers for our community. We should think about those who make the future. They need a peaceful environment. We are interested to be educated. We are reading in sunshine. We have neither books nor school buildings or any other learning material. Our elders support education. | In Afghanistan, 2 decades of conflict have not only destroyed the country’s brick and mortar, but have torn its social fabric and created a long lasting education crisis. | In rural areas, children have very limited or even no access to nearby schools. | Desperate to learn, and deserving of their right to do so,...
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...development of children and young adolescents to construct learning opportunities that support individual students’ development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation. CURRICULUM 2.1. English language arts—Candidates demonstrate a high level of competence in use of English language arts and they know, understand, and use concepts from reading, language and child development, to teach reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, and thinking skills and to help students successfully apply their developing skills to many different situations, materials, and ideas; 2.2. Science—Candidates know, understand, and use fundamental concepts in the subject matter of science—including physical, life, and earth and space sciences—as well as concepts in science and technology, science in personal and social perspectives, the history and nature of science, the unifying concepts of science, and the inquiry processes scientists use in discovery of new knowledge to build a base for scientific and technological literacy; 2.3. Mathematics—Candidates know, understand, and use the major concepts, procedures, and reasoning processes of mathematics that define number systems and number sense, geometry, measurement, statistics and probability, and algebra in order to foster student understanding and use of patterns, quantities, and spatial relationships that can represent phenomena, solve problems, and manage data; 2.4. Social studies—Candidates know, understand, and...
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...scientific knowledge produces law-like statements. These are things which hold true over time and place. For example water always boils at 100 degrees. Secondly the knowledge is in a form which is testable. Popper called this the ‘principle of falsification’. Others can test the knowledge in an attempt to disprove it. If they fail it remains valid. Thirdly it is objective. Exemplar answers for question 1b): Candidate A Secularisation means society is less religious. Some sociologists think this a fact but others are not convinced. Maybe it’s just religion is changing and people are finding different ways to be religious. Figures for the number of people attending church show there has been a big decline over the years. In Victorian times almost everyone went to church as it was expected of you. But the 20th century saw a big decline. Nowadays more people go to football matches on a Sunday than attend church. Also shopping is a major attraction and people can also spend their time doing things with the whole family such as going to AltonTowers. The people who disagree with secularisation argue that people are religious in different ways today. Surveys show a lot...
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...“Evaluate the view that religion is an important source of moral values in contemporary societies” The debate as to whether religion is a vital source of moral values in contemporary society is continuous. Sociologists aim to know and understand exactly how and if religion plays any role in current society. This leads us to ask what exactly religion is. According to sociologists, there are three main ways of defining religion: substantive, functional and social constructionist. Max Weber (1905) describes substantive religion as a belief in a superior or supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically. Substantive definitions are exclusive – they draw a clear line between religious and non-religious beliefs. To be a religion, a set of beliefs must include beliefs in God or the supernatural. Functional definitions, however, are inclusive – allowing sociologists to include a wide range of beliefs and practices. Emile Durkheim (1915) defines it in terms of contribution it makes to social integration rather than specific belief in a higher being. Milton Yinger (1970) identifies functions that religion performs for individuals, such as answering ‘ultimate questions’. Whereas, the final definition is social constructionist takes an interpretivist approach focusing how religion is defined by the individual. This definition believes that it is impossible to produce a single universal definition of religion to cover all cases since in reality different individuals...
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...Unit 3 – Citizenship, Diversity and the Public Services Assignment 3 P7 - Report on three examples of current affairs that affect public services and citizens M4 - Analyse the effects on citizens and public services of the way that three examples of current affairs have been reported by the media. Current affairs in the UK that affect the Public Services and citizens of society are the student demonstrations, the increase of fuel prices and the cutbacks of the Public Services. These all have an effect on society and the affect it has depends on the way in which the media portrays the Public Services and citizens of society. Fuel Prices Increase - The recent fuel price increase sparked anger amongst motorists across the UK. A protest consisting of 1,000 vehicles travelling to the M56 and onto the M6 where the convoy extended by a further 500. The Police were informed of the protest and were there to patrol the protest to keep order. A statement to the press was made saying that the Police had turned back tractors and issued tickets to farmers. They also had dogs ready to release into the protesters if an outbreak occurred. This incident also gave a negative perspective of the Police Service as the media only published stories that portrayed the Police in a bad way and this affects citizens as they will not trust the Police if they act in an aggressive or ill-mannered behaviour towards those they have the duty to serve. Public Services Cutbacks - It is estimated that over...
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...particularly in Western capitalist societies. The "iron cage" thus traps individuals in systems based purely on teleological efficiency, rational calculation and control. Weber also described the bureaucratization of social order as "the polar night of icy darkness".[1] The original German term is stahlhartes Gehäuse; this was translated into "iron cage", an expression made familiar to English language speakers by Talcott Parsons in his 1930 translation of Weber's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.[2] This translation has recently been questioned by certain sociologists and interpreted instead as the "shell as hard as steel".[2][3] Weber wrote: “ | In Baxter’s view the care for external goods should only lie on the shoulders of the 'saint like a light cloak, which can be thrown aside at any moment.' But fate decreed that the cloak should become an iron cage."[4] | ” | Weber became concerned with social actions and the subjective meaning that humans attach to their actions and interaction within specific social contexts. He also believed in idealism, which is the belief that we only know things because of the meanings that we apply to them. This led to his interest in power and authority in terms of bureaucracy and rationalization. Rationalization and bureaucracy[edit] Weber states, “the course of development involves… the bringing in of calculation into the traditional brotherhood, displacing the old religious relationship.”[5] Modern society was becoming characterized...
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