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Understanding the Question and Functionalist Views
Before diving into your essay, you need to define your key terms clearly. Family refers to a group of two or more people connected by birth, marriage, adoption or living together in a long-term relationship. Primary socialisation is simply the process where children learn social rules and values from their parents.
Functionalist sociologists strongly agree that primary socialisation is the family's main job. They argue that families pass on norms, values, and belief systems that help society function smoothly. According to this view, mothers take the "expressive role" - focusing on emotional care and cultural development - while fathers play the "instrumental role" as breadwinners.
However, these functionalist ideas face serious criticism in modern society. Many women now work outside the home, and the theory completely ignores families with same-sex parents. The traditional gender roles seem outdated when you look at how families actually work today.
Quick Tip: Always include a criticism of each sociological perspective to show balanced evaluation skills.
Marxist and New Right Perspectives
Marxist sociologists take a different stance on family functions. While they acknowledge that primary socialisation happens, they argue it's mainly used to maintain capitalism. Families become "consumer units" that focus on buying the latest goods, which keeps economic inequalities going for generations. For Marxists, economic support is actually the family's most important function, not socialising children.
New Right sociologists agree with functionalists that primary socialisation is crucial. They believe children need both mother and father influences to properly understand society's norms and values. New Right theorists like Peter Saunders worry that family breakdown creates social problems, pointing to statistics showing children from single-parent homes face more challenges.
Critics argue that New Right views are too narrow, failing to acknowledge that children from traditional two-parent families can also face difficulties. Their perspective doesn't account for successful outcomes in diverse family structures.
Essay Success: In your conclusion, note that Functionalists and New Right theorists do agree on primary socialisation's importance, while Marxists prioritise economic functions instead.
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology Essay Plan: Family's Role in Socialisation
Planning your next sociology assessment? You'll be tackling a 12-mark question about whether sociologists agree that families exist mainly to teach children how to fit into society. This breakdown will help you understand the key arguments from different sociological perspectives... Show more
Understanding the Question and Functionalist Views
Before diving into your essay, you need to define your key terms clearly. Family refers to a group of two or more people connected by birth, marriage, adoption or living together in a long-term relationship. Primary socialisation is simply the process where children learn social rules and values from their parents.
Functionalist sociologists strongly agree that primary socialisation is the family's main job. They argue that families pass on norms, values, and belief systems that help society function smoothly. According to this view, mothers take the "expressive role" - focusing on emotional care and cultural development - while fathers play the "instrumental role" as breadwinners.
However, these functionalist ideas face serious criticism in modern society. Many women now work outside the home, and the theory completely ignores families with same-sex parents. The traditional gender roles seem outdated when you look at how families actually work today.
Quick Tip: Always include a criticism of each sociological perspective to show balanced evaluation skills.
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Marxist and New Right Perspectives
Marxist sociologists take a different stance on family functions. While they acknowledge that primary socialisation happens, they argue it's mainly used to maintain capitalism. Families become "consumer units" that focus on buying the latest goods, which keeps economic inequalities going for generations. For Marxists, economic support is actually the family's most important function, not socialising children.
New Right sociologists agree with functionalists that primary socialisation is crucial. They believe children need both mother and father influences to properly understand society's norms and values. New Right theorists like Peter Saunders worry that family breakdown creates social problems, pointing to statistics showing children from single-parent homes face more challenges.
Critics argue that New Right views are too narrow, failing to acknowledge that children from traditional two-parent families can also face difficulties. Their perspective doesn't account for successful outcomes in diverse family structures.
Essay Success: In your conclusion, note that Functionalists and New Right theorists do agree on primary socialisation's importance, while Marxists prioritise economic functions instead.
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Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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4.9/5
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
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Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Thomas R
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David K
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Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user