Component 1 Section B: power, decision-making and domestic violence within families, and the social construction of childhood, including historical change and contemporary debates about the position of children.

What this dot point is asking

OCR Section B covers two linked themes: power within the family (decision-making, control of money, domestic violence) and the social construction of childhood. You need the studies on family power and the argument that childhood is not natural but varies historically and culturally, plus the debate about whether the position of children has improved. Both feature in essays.

The answer

Power and decision-making

Edgell studied decision-making and found a pattern: very important decisions (such as finance and moving house) were usually made by men or jointly, while less important decisions (such as food and decor) were left to women. Pahl and Vogler examined the control of money, contrasting the allowance system (the man gives the woman housekeeping money and keeps control) with pooling (shared accounts), and found money and power are closely linked and often gendered.

Domestic violence

Domestic violence is patterned by gender. Dobash and Dobash's classic study found that violence against women was often triggered when men felt their authority was challenged, and was bound up with male power in the home. Radical feminists see domestic violence as an expression of patriarchy, supported by a state and police reluctant to intervene in the "private" sphere (a point made by Cheal). Materialist explanations link it to poverty and stress.

The social construction of childhood

Childhood is socially constructed: it is shaped by society rather than fixed by biology. Aries argues that in medieval Europe childhood as a separate stage did not exist; children were treated as "little adults", working and dressing like grown-ups, and a distinct, protected childhood is a relatively modern invention. The experience of childhood also varies cross-culturally, with children in some societies taking adult responsibilities early, which confirms it is socially constructed.

Has the position of children improved?

The march of progress view says childhood has steadily improved through laws, compulsory education, better health and a child-centred society. Critics disagree: Postman argues childhood is disappearing as electronic media erode the information boundary between adults and children; Palmer warns of a toxic childhood harmed by technology, junk food, testing and consumerism; and Gittins's concept of age patriarchy stresses that children remain controlled by adults and can be victims of abuse.

Examples in context

A top essay sets the march of progress view against conflict and postmodern critiques, applies examples, and judges whether the position of children has genuinely improved.

Try this

Q1. Outline two studies of power and decision-making within families. [4 marks]

• What the marker wants. Two studies (AO1, two marks each): Edgell on men making the major decisions, and Pahl and Vogler on the gendered control of money, each briefly developed.

Q2. Outline and explain two reasons why some sociologists argue childhood is changing. [12 marks]

• Cue. Two developed points: Postman on media eroding the boundary between childhood and adulthood, and Palmer on a toxic childhood shaped by technology and consumerism, each applied to a contemporary example.