The family

Who was the leading functionalist writer of the mid-20th century?

• Émile Durkheim

• Max Weber

• Talcott Parsons

• George Herbert Mead

According to Talcott Parsons, what are the two basic and irreducible functions of the nuclear family?

• Economic support and emotional security

• Socialization of children and stabilization of adult personalities

• Health care and education

• Political involvement and economic production

What is the "functional fit thesis" proposed by Talcott Parsons?

• Families fit the needs of their individual members.

• The dominant type of family in any society fits that society’s needs.

• Nuclear families fit better into agricultural societies.

• Extended families are better suited for industrial societies.

What is the main focus of Eli Zaretsky's work in "Capitalism, the Family, and Personal Life"?

• The psychological impact of family life.

• The relationship between the economy and the family from a Marxist perspective.

• The evolution of family structures over centuries.

• The role of religion in family dynamics.

What does Zaretsky suggest about the privatization of families?

• It strengthens social bonds and community ties.

• It has no significant impact on individuals' perceptions of their problems.

• It helps in resolving public issues through collective action.

• It leads people to see their problems as private rather than based in wider social inequalities.

What was the primary focus of Caroline Gattrell’s research in "Hard Labour: The Sociology of Parenthood"?

• The impact of parenthood on child development.

• The financial struggles of single-parent households.

• The experiences of parents balancing parenthood with paid work.

• The role of grandparents in modern families.

What was the sample population in Gattrell’s study?

• Single mothers

• Teenage parents

• Fathers only

• Married or cohabiting mothers and their male partners

What type of discrimination did many women in Gattrell’s study face at work?

• Gender-based pay gaps.

• Promotion opportunities being withheld.

• Lack of maternity leave.

• Denial of part-time work options and job loss.

What factor can influence the dynamics in step-families, according to Allan et al.?

• The educational background of the parents.

• The economic status of the family.

• The age of the children when the parent(s) re-partnered.

• The geographical location of the family.

What is the primary focus of Allan et al.'s research in "Stepfamilies"?

• The economic challenges of single-parent households.

• The legal rights of step-parents in various countries.

• The dynamics of family life in step-families compared to natural families.

• The role of extended family in raising children