key concepts/terms

Question 1

define nuclear family

Answer 1

a two generational family of a man and woman, their dependent child(ren), own or adopted

Question 2

primary socialisation

Answer 2

process by which an individual learns the norms and values of society, learnt in the early stages of life and in the family

Question 3

stabilisation of adult personalities

Answer 3

parsons (functionalist) argues the family is a place where adults can relax and release tensions, enabling them to return to the workplace ready to meet its demands
‘warm bath analogy’

Question 4

instrumental role

Answer 4

• the breadwinner or provider role in the family
  functionalists see this as the man’s role

Question 5

expressive role

Answer 5

• the caring, nurturing, homemaker role in the family
• functionalists argue the woman is biologically suited to performing this role

Question 6

geographically mobile workforce

Answer 6

the ability to move around as a nuclear family for work purposes

Question 7

socially mobile workforce

Answer 7

in a mobile society an individuals status is achieved and based on their own efforts so therefore they are more likely able to move up the social class system

Question 8

capitalist class

Answer 8

• bourgeoisie
• own the means of production
• hold political and ideological power

Question 9

working class

Answer 9

• proletariat
• wage slaves
• get exploited by the bourgeoisie

Question 10

ideology

Answer 10

set of beliefs or ideas usually from groups of people

Question 11

primitive communism

Answer 11

• earliest stage of society
• there was no private property or family
• no restrictions on sexual relationships

Question 12

superstructure

Answer 12

• covers all parts of society apart from the economy
• eg religion, media, education

Question 13

economic base

Answer 13

• most important structure in society
• shapes superstructure
• economy shapes and affects everything

Question 14

keeping up the jones’s’

Answer 14

• idea that everyone wants the latest thing
• encourages us to consume more goods

Question 15

pester power

Answer 15

• kids pester their parents to get something
• ‘power’ suggests they have a large influence
• media targets children who use pester power in order to gain profit

Question 16

inequality

Answer 16

refers to the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities

Question 17

hierarchy

Answer 17

a system where society is ranked to status, wealth or authority

Question 18

patriarchy

Answer 18

term used to describe a male dominated society; a system or ideology of male power over women

Question 19

oppression

Answer 19

feminists believe women are exploited by men and men take advantage of women in the family

Question 20

march of progress

Answer 20

liberals believe progress has been made and women are gaining more power because of changes in laws and attitudes

Question 21

matrilocal families

Answer 21

a female only household advocated by radical feminists (Greer)

Question 22

political lesbianism

Answer 22

radical feminists believe we should not enter a relationship with men because they are the enemy, we must live separately (separatism) and engage in relationships with women

Question 23

reserve army of labour

Answer 23

Marxist feminists believe that women were called to help in the workforce at times of crisis, for example during the world wars. When they are no longer needed they return to their unpaid domestic role

Question 24

post-structural feminism

Answer 24

Similar to difference feminism – they look at the different experiences of women in today’s society

Question 25

What is a household?

Answer 25

A household is a person living alone or group of people living together, for example, sharing meals, bills house works etc. This can include students living together at university.