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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
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Sociology
9 Dec 2025
386
5 pages
Stephanie Browne @stephaniebrowne_pvpz
Understanding how different sociological theories view the family is crucial for your A-Level exams. These theories offer contrasting... Show more
Ever wondered why politicians talk about "traditional family values"? New Right theorists believe the nuclear family is the gold standard for society, with clear gender roles where women focus on caring and men earn the bread.
Their argument gets political quickly. Murray claims that single-parent families create an underclass through poor socialisation - no male role models apparently leads to educational failure and youth crime. Housing policies even reflect this bias, prioritising nuclear families over single parents.
However, Chester offers a more flexible view with neo-conventional nuclear families, where both partners work but maintain the nuclear structure. Critics argue this theory unfairly lumps all single parents together and holds sexist views about women's roles.
Key Insight New Right theory heavily influences government policy, but remember that many successful families don't fit their narrow definition of "ideal."
Think families today are more diverse and flexible than ever? Postmodernists completely agree - they see family as a fluid, constantly changing concept that rejects one-size-fits-all explanations.
Lyotard argues that traditional theories (called meta-narratives) simply can't explain modern families. Instead, we live in a "pick and mix" world where individualisation means we create our own family rules. Baudrillard suggests we now gain status from consumption and image rather than work.
Giddens introduces negotiated families - we choose family types based on our emotional needs, whilst Smart's personal life perspective emphasises how individual experiences shape us more than grand theories.
Reality Check Critics argue postmodernism ignores that many people, especially women, still lack real choice in family arrangements.
Feminists fundamentally challenge the idea that families are naturally harmonious, arguing they're actually sites of gender inequality and exploitation.
Marxist feminists like Ansley describe wives as "takers of shit" - absorbing men's frustrations from capitalist work. Beechey shows how housewives serve capitalism by raising future workers whilst forming a cheap reserve army of labour. This unpaid domestic work directly benefits the capitalist system.
Radical feminists go further, targeting patriarchy itself. Delphy and Leonard demonstrate how family structures benefit men at women's expense, whilst Gittens exposes the dark side of families - domestic violence and control that patriarchal systems legitimise.
Important Note Different feminist approaches focus on different enemies - capitalism for Marxist feminists, patriarchy for radical feminists.
Functionalists see families as essential building blocks that keep society running smoothly - think of them as the sociology optimists who focus on families' positive contributions.
Durkheim's organic analogy compares social institutions to body parts, each serving vital functions. Parsons develops this with functional fit theory - family structures adapt to workplace needs. His warm bath theory suggests families provide emotional support, with women taking expressive roles and men instrumental ones.
Murdock identifies four universal family functions sexual, reproductive, educational, and economic. These theorists argue the nuclear family perfectly serves both individual and societal needs through primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities.
Criticism Alert Functionalists are accused of ignoring family diversity, domestic violence, and reinforcing gender inequality through their "ideal family" model.
Marxists view families through the lens of class conflict, arguing they serve capitalism rather than individuals' genuine needs.
Engels explains how families maintain private property by passing wealth down family lines, keeping the bourgeoisie wealthy whilst the proletariat remains propertyless. This inheritance system directly supports capitalist inequality.
Zaretsky's warm bath theory shows how families create docile workers - men return home to emotional support that prevents them from challenging their exploitation. Althusser describes families as Ideological State Apparatus, transmitting ruling class values that make inequality seem natural and acceptable.
The reserve army of labour concept demonstrates how unpaid domestic work serves capitalism - Benston calls women the "unpaid slaves of the wage slaves."
Key Debate Critics argue Marxists ignore diverse family benefits and are too deterministic - not everyone passively accepts ruling class ideology.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
9
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
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
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
Stephanie Browne
@stephaniebrowne_pvpz
Understanding how different sociological theories view the family is crucial for your A-Level exams. These theories offer contrasting perspectives on whether families benefit society, support capitalism, or reinforce gender inequality - and each one provides valuable insights you'll need to... Show more
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Ever wondered why politicians talk about "traditional family values"? New Right theorists believe the nuclear family is the gold standard for society, with clear gender roles where women focus on caring and men earn the bread.
Their argument gets political quickly. Murray claims that single-parent families create an underclass through poor socialisation - no male role models apparently leads to educational failure and youth crime. Housing policies even reflect this bias, prioritising nuclear families over single parents.
However, Chester offers a more flexible view with neo-conventional nuclear families, where both partners work but maintain the nuclear structure. Critics argue this theory unfairly lumps all single parents together and holds sexist views about women's roles.
Key Insight: New Right theory heavily influences government policy, but remember that many successful families don't fit their narrow definition of "ideal."
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Think families today are more diverse and flexible than ever? Postmodernists completely agree - they see family as a fluid, constantly changing concept that rejects one-size-fits-all explanations.
Lyotard argues that traditional theories (called meta-narratives) simply can't explain modern families. Instead, we live in a "pick and mix" world where individualisation means we create our own family rules. Baudrillard suggests we now gain status from consumption and image rather than work.
Giddens introduces negotiated families - we choose family types based on our emotional needs, whilst Smart's personal life perspective emphasises how individual experiences shape us more than grand theories.
Reality Check: Critics argue postmodernism ignores that many people, especially women, still lack real choice in family arrangements.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Feminists fundamentally challenge the idea that families are naturally harmonious, arguing they're actually sites of gender inequality and exploitation.
Marxist feminists like Ansley describe wives as "takers of shit" - absorbing men's frustrations from capitalist work. Beechey shows how housewives serve capitalism by raising future workers whilst forming a cheap reserve army of labour. This unpaid domestic work directly benefits the capitalist system.
Radical feminists go further, targeting patriarchy itself. Delphy and Leonard demonstrate how family structures benefit men at women's expense, whilst Gittens exposes the dark side of families - domestic violence and control that patriarchal systems legitimise.
Important Note: Different feminist approaches focus on different enemies - capitalism for Marxist feminists, patriarchy for radical feminists.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Functionalists see families as essential building blocks that keep society running smoothly - think of them as the sociology optimists who focus on families' positive contributions.
Durkheim's organic analogy compares social institutions to body parts, each serving vital functions. Parsons develops this with functional fit theory - family structures adapt to workplace needs. His warm bath theory suggests families provide emotional support, with women taking expressive roles and men instrumental ones.
Murdock identifies four universal family functions: sexual, reproductive, educational, and economic. These theorists argue the nuclear family perfectly serves both individual and societal needs through primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities.
Criticism Alert: Functionalists are accused of ignoring family diversity, domestic violence, and reinforcing gender inequality through their "ideal family" model.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Marxists view families through the lens of class conflict, arguing they serve capitalism rather than individuals' genuine needs.
Engels explains how families maintain private property by passing wealth down family lines, keeping the bourgeoisie wealthy whilst the proletariat remains propertyless. This inheritance system directly supports capitalist inequality.
Zaretsky's warm bath theory shows how families create docile workers - men return home to emotional support that prevents them from challenging their exploitation. Althusser describes families as Ideological State Apparatus, transmitting ruling class values that make inequality seem natural and acceptable.
The reserve army of labour concept demonstrates how unpaid domestic work serves capitalism - Benston calls women the "unpaid slaves of the wage slaves."
Key Debate: Critics argue Marxists ignore diverse family benefits and are too deterministic - not everyone passively accepts ruling class ideology.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
9
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
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
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
Combined Science