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GCSE SociologyGCSE Sociology

The Role of the Family

Starter…Starter…

In pairs, mind map the functions you can think of that the family

performs. Now choose one of your

functions of the family and write it down on the post-it-

note.

Roles of the FamilyRoles of the FamilyPlace your post-it-notes here

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

• To describe and explain the role of the family. What is the family for?

• To briefly contrast different views of the family. How do functionalists differ to feminists?

Functionalist SociologistsFunctionalist Sociologists

• Functionalist Sociologists believe both people and society have needs which must be met for society to function smoothly.

• Functionalists see the nuclear family plays an important role because t performs a number of essential functions.

Can you think of three things which individuals needs to survive?

Functionalist SociologistsFunctionalist Sociologists

Functionalist Sociologists four essential functions of the family are:

Reproduction

Primary Socialisation

Economic Provision

Emotional Gratification

Meeting The NeedsMeeting The Needs

We have seen what the Functionalist Sociologists see the four essential roles of the family to be, but which family types fulfil these?

The Nuclear Family

The Extended Family

The Reconstituted Family

The Lone Parent Family

Feminist SociologistsFeminist Sociologists

• Feminist Sociologists come from a conflict perspective, this is completely opposite to Functionalist Sociologists.

• Feminists identify that inequality exists between men and women, therefore they are critical of the family as they see it to contribute to the inequality.

Feminist SociologistsFeminist Sociologists

• Functionalist Sociologists identify primary socialization to be an essential function of the family.

• Feminist Sociologists identify it to be negative as it contributes to the inequality between males and females.

Think back…Think back…

Think back to your childhood, what activities or tasks did you help your parents of other

family members with? E.g. washing up, baking, mending/cleaning the car.

Different Treatment – Why?Different Treatment – Why?

Baby boys and baby girls are often treated different and feminists see them to be brought up in certain

roles.

Where do the ideas of who should do what roles come from?

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Feminists see gender socialization to take place in the family = Inequality

Violence in the HomeViolence in the Home

• The Feminist approach is one which highlights a negative aspects of the family to be violence in the home.

• Feminists identify how the home is not a safe haven for every family.

Task: Read the extract on Page 124 and answer

question two only!

PlenaryPlenary

A question you have about today’s lesson

Things you have been reminded on in today’s lesson

Things you have learnt in today’s lesson