Lesson 3 Outcome 3 Changes in Family patterns 1

Last week We looked at at the final perspective on the family for outcome 2. Theories were: Functionalism Marxist Feminism Radical Feminism 2

This week - OUTCOME 3 Evaluate selected aspects of sociological topics using different sociological theories and studies. Performance Criteria a) Explain changes in family patterns in a balanced way by taking account of different sociological studies b)Use relevant evidence from a range of sociological studies to support the explanations c)Develop sociological arguments, based on evidence and examples used in relevant sociological studies d)Make balanced evaluations that refer to evidence and arguments from contrasting sociological theories. 3

The Three Aspects Changes in family patterns Conjugal roles Marital breakdown 4

The short version O1 What is the family, what are the key function of the family, how has it changed - 6 marks O2 Describe and evaluate 2 theories -10 marks O3 Describe and evaluate 2 family studies -10 marks Conclusion and further evaluation – 4 marks = 30 marks 5

Task We discussed changes in family patterns for your introduction What were the main changes? 6

Changes in family patterns Many of the recent changes in family patterns stems from the industrialisation of society. 7

Specialisation Families became more specialised as other agencies took over their functions When families moved from the land they stopped being units of production and became units of consumption. 8

Growth of the nuclear family Reductions in functions meant that the need for the extended family was also reduced This led to a growth of the nuclear family 9

Task 10 What functions do you think other agencies have taken over from the family? Agencies include: Welfare state Work place Media Childcare Education system. Functions

Goode (1963) In his studyWorld Revolution and Family Patterns, William Goode looked at changes in family structure Taking a functionalist approach Goode saw industrialisation as undermining the extended family for a number of reasons: 11

Goode cont. 1.Increased mobility led weakened links within the family. 2.Increased social mobility also led families to cut of ties from lower strata. 12

Changing functions of the family Goode, like Parsons argues that functions previously carried out by the family are now performed by other agencies within society. E.g. schools, welfare state, political parties, and businesses 13

However This does not mean the family declining in importance – it has simply become more specialised. The family role is still vital. 14

Sexual division of labour Movement from the land to industrial cities had a huge impact on the role of women Women became domestic servants 15

However The role of women changed again in the latter part of the 20 th century with a decline in the nuclear family and an increase in family diversity e.g. growth of single parent and reconstituted families. 16

Post-industrial society Further changes have taken place as far as the role of women within the family is concerned. o Decline in family size o Change in divorce and abortion laws o The growth of women in employment o An increase of single parent and reconstituted families 17

But still far short of equality! There was some progress to sexual equality But, women still faced widespread discrimination And inequality within the family e.g. the dual burden. 18

Clip 'I Don't Know How She Does It' Trailer 19

Clip The role of family and social change Jeremy Kyle show send up…. 20

Get into groups and discuss the suggestion that recent changes in family patterns are a primary cause of contemporary social problems. Task

Two key studies for your essay 1. Michael Anderson (1971)Family Households and the Industrial Revolution 2. Wilmott and Young (1973) The Symmetrical Family 22

To the books! Get into groups and look up both studies. Pick out the: Aim Method Results Conclusion Which theory does it support?

Study 1 Anderson (1971) Family, Household and the Industrial Revolution (1971) Carried out his own research into the effects of industrialisation on families And does not support the view that during industrialisation extended families began to disappear. 24

Anderson (1971) Using data from the 1851 census of Preston, Anderson found that 23% of households contained kin other than the nuclear family. The bulk of this “co-residence” or extended families occurred amongst the working class. 25

4 reasons for this pattern 1.In the absence of a welfare state, individuals were dependent on their kin in times of hardship. 2.The high death rate led to a large number of orphans who found a home with their relatives. 26

4 reasons (cont) 3. Additional members of a household lowered the share of the rent paid by each individual. 4. It was normal in factory towns for employers to recruit through kin. 27

Anderson concludes That the early stages of industrialisation increased rather than decreased the extension of the working-class family 28

Strengths of Anderson’s study Strong in challenging pre-conceived views about the impact of industrialisation on the family. Also, for highlighting that extended families were prevalent well into the 20 th century amongst W/C families. 29

Criticisms Elizabeth Roberts supports Anderson with regards the importance of the extended family. However, criticises him for understating the support given by women within W/C communities not only to other family members, but also to individuals within the family 30

Roberts critique (cont) She also criticised Anderson for arguing that individuals acted largely out of self-interest She found that women, in particular, gave emotional and sometimes financial support with little expectation of any return. 31

Task In what ways has each of the following had an impact on changing family structures: – Industrialisation – Specialisation of functions 32

Study 2: The Symmetrical family Willmott & Young (1973) “The Symmetrical Family” Argue that the modern family is symmetrical which means that the husband and wife share work equally, though may do different tasks. 33

Symmetrical family In the Symmetrical Family, Willmott & Young attempt to trace the family from pre- industrial England to the 1970’s using historical research and social surveys. 34

Movement towards egalitarianism and symmetry W & Y claim family life has improved – becoming more equal. Movement away from segregated roles towards a more symmetrical family with joint conjugal roles. Movement was a “march of progress” through 3 stages 35

HUSBAND WIFE CHILDREN ECONOMIC ENDEAVORS Phase I – Pre-industrial family Family: Unit of Production

HUSBAND ECONOMIC ENDEAVORS WIFE DOMESTIC CHORES CHILDREN EDUCATION Phase 2 – Early Industrial Family Family: Fragmented | Unit of Consumption

ECONOMIC ENDEAVORS DOMESTIC CHORES EDUCATION HUSBAND WIFE CHILDREN Phase 3 – The symmetrical family Family: Multiple Roles

Stage 3 Nuclear structure and home centred Free time spent doing chores and home based activities Domestic and leisure activities are increasingly shared so the modern family is symmetrical which means that the husband and wife share labour. 39

Equality They carried out a large scale social survey 1,932 people were interviewed in Bethnal Green, Greater London. Found 72% of husbands did housework other than washing up during the week Conjugal roles are not interchangeable, but are symmetrical 40

“Principle of stratified diffusion” W & Y believe their theory of stratified diffusion explains many of the changes in family life What the middle class do today the working class will do tomorrow The home-centred nuclear family began in the middle classes and filtered down to the rest of society. 41

Strengths of Wilmott & Young Seen as strong at recognising changes, which have taken place Good at highlighting changes since industrial society in areas e.g. – increased equality in domestic chores – increased opportunities for women in areas such as employment – Greater affluence amongst the working classes 42

Weaknesses Marxist feminist Anne Oakley (1974) criticises Wilmott and Young’s methodology – they only asked 1 question; ‘Do you/does your husband help at least once a week with any household jobs like washing up, making beds, helping with the children, ironing, cooking or cleaning?’ (1975, p95). Hardly surprising that W & Y found that 85% of men help in the home!

Summary The Industrial revolution encouraged the: Break up of the extended family Domesticity of married women Reduction in functions of the family More recent changes have encouraged the: Wider employment of women Greater symmetry of conjugal roles Decline in marriage/increase in divorce Increase of single parent and reconstituted families. 44