AO1- Knowledge and understanding- most marks available- key terms, key theorists, and general content.
AO2- Application- sociologists, statistics, current affairs/news, examples in media etc., item references
AO3A- Analysis- further development or discussion of the original point made, be that positive or negative. Compare or contrast
AO3E- Evaluation- Strengths and weaknesses of a point- avoid the bolt-on evaluation- DO NOT throw on irrelevant or last minute evaluation.
AO1/2/3 should be present all throughout the answer.
The AO3 skill required will be stated in the question, the only exception is the 'outline and explain' questions in which the skill needs is AO3 Analysis!!
Paragraph Structure 1- PETAL
Point (AO1)- using the question
Explain/Expand (AO1)- using theorists
Theorists, Studies or Stats (AO2)
Analysis/Evaluation (AO3)
Link (to the question) (AO3)
Paragraph Structure 2- PEEEAL
Point
Explain
Example
Evaluate
Analyse
Link
Paragraph Structure 3-
AO1/AO2/AO3
20 marker (Hectic Teacher Q)
In a twenty marker, you must have an introduction, 3-4 paragraphs and a conclusion. Two item references are also needed. 30 Minutes for the whole thing.
You get 20 mark questions in all three papers
Ref 1: “...married and cohabitating couples have become less patriarchal or male dominated...”
Ref 2: “both partners share household chores, childcare and decision making”
Ref 3 "...both partners more likely to be involved in paid employment"
Introduction:
1. Context (AO1)- Historical, background information, key terms and definitions- Family structures (in brief), define the term ‘Partnership of Equals’
2. Content (AO2)- List of theorists, concepts and perspectives- Parsons, Pahl and Volger, Edgell, Wilmott and Young, Oakley
3. LOA (AO3)- Whether we agree with the question or not (MUST be used at the end of every paragraph)- The contemporary family is NOT a partnership of equals.
Paragraph 1-
AO1- Wilmott and Young- Symmetrical families, even division of labour
AO3e- Their studies were done in a specific area of London- London has a unique culture which is not representative of the rest of the country- more progressive compared to the largely conservative UK.- Sampling Bias (covered in Research methods)
AO2- Gender Quake- Wilkinson- the rise of feminism in society has led to women subverting typical feminine roles- more women in the workplace- McRobie and Sharpe- women more interested in pursuing a career.
AO3A- Amal Clooney- international human rights lawyer- had children at age 39. Average age for women to have children is now 28.9. Beyonce was 35 when she had her children, Halle Berry had her first child at 41, her second one at 47- used as examples as women are now choosing when to have children, when and how to pursue a career and the likes.
AO3E- Equal Pay Act and the glass ceiling- it takes women longer to progress on a career path, the existence of the pay gap reduces the chance of a woman being the breadwinner, women are thus unable to remain (generally) wholly independent and equal in a relationship. Gender pay gap was 7.4% in 2020 for full time employees, for all employees regardless of status it was 15.5%.
LOA- Thus, symmetrical families cannot exist whilst these inequalities continue to exist en masse.
Paragraph 2- Housework/Childcare
AO1- Oakley- women do the most work in any household- they are often subject to additional childcare and are expected to balance this alongside housework. Boulton- men only help with 20% of childcare, and only the fun parts.
AO2- Dual Burden- Ferri and Smith- Women have to do both paid work and housework.
AO3A- Triple Shift- Dunscombe and Marsden- Housework, paid work, emotion work
AO3E- Tradwives- people who voluntarily submit to their husbands- (Evaluate- only works for the upper classes because lower class households can’t afford to not have a dual-earning couple.) ‘Cleanfluencer’- Mrs Hinch- stay at home life as a housewife has been monetised- certain women are starting to capitalise on their situation- evidently, some women are not interested in relationships being partnerships or equals.
Paragraph 3- Money and Decisions
AO1- Pahl and Vogler- shifted from allowance systems to pooling- more financial equality
AO2- Men and women are being increasingly capable of making important financial decisions together- for example- not one person has complete dominance over household finance, it is now a dialogue- Edgell.
AO3A- Gershuny- Now more equality than ever in decision making, including big decisions- Feminism- women are more likely to enter the workplace and thus bring their own money to the table rather than just being the expressive role.
AO3E- Domestic Violence and financial abuse- one person in the household has complete control over all household finance- or- gender pay gap- decisions are being more equal, but men still earn more than women and as a consequence decision making will not be wholly equal.
Paragraph 4- Gender Roles
AO1- Parsons- Instrumental role (male roles) and expressive role (female roles) in the household. Traditional roles- Bott- Segregated Conjugal Roles.
AO2- Warm Bath- Parsons- The family absorbs the frustrations of the working man after a long day at work and comforts them- like a warm bath.
AO3E- Ansley- Women are “takers of shit”- women are treated atrociously by both capitalism and the family for no reward or recognition.
AO3A- Zaretsky- Agree with Ansley- women are treated very poorly by the capitalist system.
Conclusion
Context- Brief summary of the answer’s content
Content- Summarise what theorists have said
LOA- Final impactful sentence.
A few do nots:
Do not bring in new information in your conclusion
Do not say ‘I think’, ‘I believe’ etc. in your answer
Do not just pick out a couple of words from an item reference and bury them- use them thoughtfully and embed them appropriately.
Do not cross out (as much as humanly possible)- one line through the word, write the correction afterwards, or use asterisks.
- 10 marker (Hectic Teacher Q)
You do not need an introduction or a conclusion.
Two item references (without two references you cannot get more than 3 marks)
It is just two paragraphs.
One way…. Another way….
LINKING STATEMENTS AT THE END OF EACH POINT SUPER IMPORTANT!
Ref 1: “... fixed, universal, biological state of physical and psychological immaturity...”
Ref 2: “…experiences children undergo and what roles they play are far from universal”
AO1 – One argument against there being a fixed universal childhood is differing cultures, for example the western culture being seen as dominant when this is not the case.
Malinowski – Trobiand Islands = children exploring sexual identity, not deemed as taboo. In western culture = NOPE.
AO2 – Children’s sex education in the UK curriculum, Birmingham there were protests (300 people) to argue against the teaching of LGBTQ+ equality lessons at a primary school.
AO3A– Benedict – non-industrial societies
1. Take responsibility at an early age
2. Sexual relationships not taboo
3. Less value on obedience/following adults’ rules.
Linking statement: Therefore, the western culture is not the norm amongst childhood experiences so there is no universal fixed childhood.
AO1 – Another argument against there being a fixed universal childhood is differing cultures as child protections varies depending on geographical location.
UK and Children Act, every child matters – when there is a high profile case there is a legislation improvement. Helicopter parenting where child-centred is the norm. FGM is illegal in the UK and teachers/social workers etc are trained to prevent it happening.
AO2 – Senegal FGM is normal practice. Arranged marriages and sexual assaults.
AO3A – High profile abuse cases in the UK- children clearly aren’t that protected in the West. Baby P, Victoria Climbie, Daniel Pelka, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. We claim our child protection is much better, but some of the highest profile abuse cases occur here.
Linking statement: One cannot argue for a universal childhood, when every child’s experiences are their own, and are also dependant on factors like culture and socialisation.
- 20 marker (Hectic Teacher Q)
Ref 1: “... segregated and controlled...”
Ref 2: “…industrial society brought major changes”
Ref 3: “Children’s lives became increasingly confined and regulated by adults”
Ref 4: "distinction between childhood and adulthood is again becoming blurred"
Introduction: 1. Culturally, socially and historically
1. Context (AO1)- Brief history of childhood (2 lines)
2. Content (AO2)- Aries, Benedict, Gittins, Opie
3. LOA (AO3)- If you do this in the exam you need to leave a space between each paragraph to add this in.
Childhood has changed as a result of social progress.
AO1- Benedict – non-industrial societies
1. Take responsibility at an early age
2. Sexual relationships not taboo
3. Less value on obedience/following adults’ rules.
AO2- Malinowski – Trobiand Islands – sexuality amongst children not taboo. Sexual exploration is not unnatural and often seen as humourous.
AO3E- Gittins and the Age Patriarchy = assumption in the western world aka INDUSTRIALISED areas that age demands an element of respect.
Adults have control over childrens:
· Time, space, bodies, money - strings attached.
AO1 – Postman = information hierarchy. Childhood is disappearing, that there is a blurring between childhood and adulthood. Children can access information and entertainment that is above their years. ‘screenagers’ – living life through a screen. Lemons and limes.
AO2 – Palmer = toxic childhood. Modern society has incredibly increasingly toxic elements for children.
· Fast food, technology, exam stress, poor mental health, negative media role models
AO3A – Teenage pregnancies = Scarborough had the highest rate of TP in Europe. McNair – oversexualisation of society, sex is everywhere.
AO3E – Opie – childhood has a different culture and its own separate culture, recognition of this over exposure and the media/technology - age restrictions, safer viewing and blocking certain channels.
AO1 – Aries, interpretations of paintings, looked at the activities that the children were doing compared to the adults. Medieval times. (historic application). He found that there was barely any distinction at all, the same tasks were done by any age. Specific tasks for the younger children – smaller humans.
AO2 – Victorian Times = workhouses, chimneys, poverty, working days long and difficult. In dangerous situations. Limited freedom.
AO3E – child employment laws, how it banned certain ages from working. Distinction emerges. Safeguarding – previously this was not a focus or even really well known.
AO1 – Jamie Bulger – kidnapped and murdered by 2 other children. Mary Bell was a murderer who killed other children. Reflects idea that children have the capability to behave in adult ways (are they actually understanding their actions?)
CHILDREN AS THE VICTIM.
AO2 – Ian Huntley = Holly and Jessica. Response to this = DBS, CRB check. Any individual working with children would have a enhanced background check.
AO3 – Paranoid Parenting (Fuerdi) and Helicopter Parenting. Adults are constantly fearful for the wellbeing of their children. Find my iPhone, sharing locations. Children are weak, vulnerable, need protecting. “innocent”
AO3- Females being more vulnerable, 1 woman dies at the hands of a man every 3 days. Girls are even more micromanaged than boys. Hillman – girls are not allowed to go out and play, cross the roads etc. McRobbie – bedroom culture. Boys = freedom! Unless accompanied by a male companion.
Conclusion
Context- Brief summary of the answer’s content
Content- Summarise what theorists have said
LOA- Final impactful sentence.
- 10 marker (Hectic Teacher Q)
You do not need an introduction or a conclusion.
15 minutes to complete the question
Two item references (without two references you cannot get more than 3 marks)- One per paragraph
It is just two paragraphs.
One way…. Another way….
LINKING STATEMENTS AT THE END OF EACH POINT SUPER IMPORTANT!
Ref 1: “Most marriages are now civil ceremonies”
Ref 2: “The average age of those married has now risen”
Ref 3: “There are remarriages for at least one of the partners”
People are choosing not to get married as much (cohabitation)
People are getting married later (career drives)
Para 1: Cohabitation
AO1- Cohabitation- 2 people who aren’t married but are in a romantic/sexual relationship- people are choosing to live together before they marry- trial marriages- Chester
AO2- Item Ref. 2, The Pure Relationship- Giddens- Relationships are now of people willingly staying together because they actually want to, not out of some obligation.
AO3A: Coast- 70% of cohabitating couples eventually marry. The average age for a woman is 35 when they marry, and 38 for men (as of 2017) Women are also more likely to get divorced before they are 30.
AO3eE Confluent love- Giddens- Women and men are now not willing to simply settle- they are now willing to get out of a relationship if it doesn’t fulfil their fairytale ideals. People less willing to go into a relationship if they think it may end in divorce. A divorce costs roughly £14,000.
LOA: Therefore, cohabitation can be a reason as to why the trends in marriage have changed over the last 70 years
Para 2: Remarriage
AO1- Reconstituted families and step families. Marriage has not declined- people are getting remarried, and so marriage as an institution is still important in society.
AO2- Item Ref.3, Parsons- the nuclear family is the best family for society, this is because there are essential roles fulfilled by this, such as socialisation of the young and the stabilisation of personalities- supports the idea that marriage is still valuable to society.
AO3A- Murray- the nuclear family is best for socialisation- remarriage is supported by the New Right, so that children can be brought up in a safe environment and thus not turn to crime.
AO3E- Toxic Childhood- Palmer- remarriages and step-families can be harmful for children if the children don’t get along with the step family.
LOA- therefore, remarriages becoming more common shows how marriage has changed in the last 70 years.
- 20 Marker (Hectic Teacher Q)
Ref 1: “changes in law relating to divorce”
Ref 2 “decline in the influence of traditional norms...that used to stigmatise divorce”
Intro: since 1970s 50+ years.
1. Context (AO1)- Significant increase in divorces, reduced religious connotations attached and legislation changes.
2. Content (AO2)- Fletcher, Giddens, Chester, Murray
3. LoA (AO3)- Divorce rates have fallen because marriage is not seen as important in contemporary society.
AO1- Normalisation of divorce, less stigma as a result of secularisation. People are less likely to be judged if divorced or not married.
AO2 – Cohabitation – living together in a romantic relationship but not married. Significant increase in cohabitation with this being the most normalised family type. Chester – trial marriage. Lack of religious stigma has meant people can LIVE IN SIN.
AO3A – Coast – 60% of cohabitating leads to marriage so cohabitation can be the normal step before marriage.
AO3E – Giddens – Pure Relationship – people find love and ignore traditional expectations as long as they are happy in the couple they are in.
LOA – So therefore reduction of stigma and normalisation of living together without being married means there is less pressure to marry and as a result less divorces.
Para 2: Legislation
AO1- Divorce Act of 1969- historically a woman could not file divorce without the man’s permission. This act meant that a woman and a man had to be separated for two years before they could divorce, and a woman could now file for divorce. Saw the introduction of the ‘blame game’- there needed to be reason or blame placed upon one of the couple- drunkenness, adultery, insanity or desertion. If only one of them wanted a divorce they had to be separated for 5 years.
AO2- Divorce Act of 2019- you only had to be separated for 6 months and the ‘no blame’ idea came in- simply an irretrievable break down in the relationship worked as a reason for divorce.
AO3A- increase in divorces- they have become more accessible and as a consequence people are more willing to get a divorce. In the UK the divorce rate in 2019 was 42%, and over 100,000 couples got divorced that same year. The average marriage length is 32 years- supports the point that people are getting divorced more
AO3E- Divorce is still not wholly accessible- it costs up to £14,000 to divorce one’s spouse, which disincentivises people to get divorces still.
LOA- The trends of divorce are increasing because legislation has made the process much more accessible.
Para 3: Same Sex Relationships
AO1- Same Sex marriage act- 2013- 1st SSM in 2014. Civil partnerships were available for same sex couples as of 2005, prior to this there was no legal recognition for same sex couples.
AO2- In 2019, 822 same sex couples were divorced, with there being 7,000 same sex couples existing, 100,000 opposite sex divorces occurred out of 200,000 (acknowledge that there is a significant gap in the marriages numbers, which skews the data somewhat) 1072 same sex couples converted their civil partnerships into marriages as of 2017.
AO3A- Personal Life perspective by Carol Smart- links to Weeks. Looks at the rise of alternative couples, and the decline of a standard expectation for a relationship in the modern world. People can now pick and choose who their family is- friends and pets can now also be a part of a family. In the postmodern world, there is no concrete family style.
AO3E- In 2016, married female couples were 2.5x more likely to divorce than married male couples- it is not related to sexuality, it is the institution of marriage which leads to divorces.
LOA- Divorces are common in all sexualities, showing how divorces are more normalised regardless of the relationship.
- 20 Marker (Hectic Teacher Q)
Ref 1: “there have been huge changes in family formation”
Ref 2 “young people face growing uncertainty as they encounter a range of choices in their personal lives”
Ref 3 “less guided and constrained by traditional norms and values”
Intro
1. Context (AO1)- A journey through traditional families and family roles through to modern family structures
2. Content (AO2)- Rapoport and Rapoport, Haveren, Smart, Giddens, Parsons, Murdoch
3. LOA (AO3)- Norms and Values have changed, but so have laws and societal attitudes
Paragraph 1
AO1- More freedom with divorce and marriage leads to the rise in single parent families. Divorce Acts (1969/2019)- The reason for the change is due to the shift in societal attitudes- it was the change which pushed the government to change legislation.
AO2- Wilkinson- Gender Quake, Amal Clooney- women becoming more independent socially and financially- due to rise in feminism- McRobbie- women don’t need to depend on men to be the breadwinner anymore.
AO3A- The rise of new family types, such as single parent families headed by a woman, 9/10 single parent families are matriarchal (led by women)
AO3E- Charles Murray- The inadequate socialisation of children by single mothers- perverse incentives given by the government- the welfare state has led to new family diversity by incentivising benefit dependency.
LOA- Changes in norms and values towards women has led to a change in family diversity.
Paragraph 2
AO1- Reconstituted and Step Families- reinforce norms and values of family types- nuclear family is still viewed as being important in modern society.
AO2- Parsons- biological sex role- Expressive and Instrumental role- the fact that people choose to get remarried shows that although norms and values have changed a little bit, they have not changed that much
AO3A- Murdock- the 4 essential roles of the Nuclear Family: sexual, economic, educational, reproductive
LOA- An increase in remarriage has led to a change in family diversity.
- 10 Marker (Hectic Teacher Q)
Ref 1: “in the past when individuals lives were governed by tradition”
Ref 2: “both men and women are free to make their own choices about relationships, sexuality and so on”
Para 1
AO1- Define the individualisation thesis- People are now more free to make their own choices which has created more family diversity- Beck.
Item reference 1- in a postmodern society, we assume that people are free to make their own choices, but this is not the case. Same Sex marriage Act 2013 meant that gay couples were now legally able to be recognised as together.
AO2- Even though same sex marriage is legal, there is a lack of recognition on behalf of the church in every situation and setting e.g. the Catholic Church.
AO3A- it took until 1967 for homosexuality to be deemed legal in the UK, 1994 for the age of consent to be reduced to 18 for homosexuals (heterosexuals have had the age of consent at 16 since 1885). It took until 2000 for the age of consent to be equalised.
LOA- Therefore the historic criminalisation and persistent delay in legislation changes shows that the individualisation thesis will not benefit everyone. Not everyone is free to make a choice on how to live their life, due to legislation, bigotry and institutional difficulties.
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