Families
Edexcel GCSE Sociology revision on Families. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Sociology specification. This bank has 47 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 47)
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Question 1
A nuclear family is...
- A) Just two adults
- B) Parents + their dependent children
- C) All generations together
- D) Single parent + child
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Answer: Parents + their dependent children
Murdock (1949) said the nuclear family is universal. Functions: sexual, reproductive, economic, educational. Modern variations: STEP-FAMILY (after divorce/remarriage), LONE-PARENT FAMILY, SAME-SEX FAMILY, RECONSTITUTED FAMILY. Critics of Murdock: nuclear isn't universal (some cultures have polygamy, extended kin).
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Question 2
An extended family includes...
- A) Only parents
- B) More than two generations (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) often living together
- C) Nuclear plus a dog
- D) Internet friends
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Answer: More than two generations (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) often living together
Three types of extended family: VERTICAL (grandparents + parents + children together), HORIZONTAL (uncles, aunts, cousins) or both. Common in: pre-industrial Britain, modern South Asian, African, Mediterranean communities. Decline in UK due to industrialisation, geographic mobility, smaller homes. 'Beanpole family' = tall + thin, multi-generation but fewer in each.
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Question 3
Functionalist view of the family is that it...
- A) Is harmful
- B) Performs essential functions for society (socialisation, regulating sex, economic support)
- C) Is unnecessary
- D) Will disappear soon
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Answer: Performs essential functions for society (socialisation, regulating sex, economic support)
Functionalist thinkers like Parsons + Murdock argue the family fulfils key functions: PRIMARY SOCIALISATION (teaching children values + norms), STABILISATION OF ADULT PERSONALITIES ('warm bath theory' - family relieves stress), ECONOMIC FUNCTION, REGULATION OF SEX. The family is seen as harmonious + essential. Critics: ignores conflict + dysfunction within families.
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44 more questions on Families — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Sociology spec.