What does the Eduqas GCSE Sociology family topic cover?

The family topic, examined on Component 1, covers the functions of families using functionalists such as Murdock and Parsons, the diversity of family forms (nuclear, extended, reconstituted, lone-parent and same-sex), conjugal roles and power including the symmetrical family and the dual burden, changing patterns of marriage, cohabitation and divorce, and the functionalist, Marxist, feminist and New Right perspectives. Research methods and key concepts are woven through it.

Which sociologists do I need for the family topic?

Key named thinkers include Murdock (four functions) and Parsons (two basic functions) for the functionalist view, Willmott and Young for the symmetrical family, Ann Oakley for the feminist critique and the dual burden, and the Rapoports for family diversity. You should also bring in the Marxist, feminist and New Right perspectives on the family as a whole.

What is the dual burden in the family topic?

The dual burden is the feminist idea, associated with Ann Oakley, that a woman does paid work and then also does most of the unpaid housework and childcare at home. It is used to criticise the symmetrical family thesis of Willmott and Young, who argued roles had become equal. The triple shift adds a third layer of emotion work, where the woman also manages the family's feelings.

How is the family topic assessed in Eduqas GCSE Sociology?

The family is examined on Component 1, Understanding Social Processes, alongside key concepts, education and research methods. Questions range from short describe and explain items worth two to eight marks to extended discuss questions worth up to fifteen marks that reward a balanced evaluation using competing perspectives, named sociologists and, often, a printed item.

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Eduqas GCSE Sociology: The family overview

A complete overview of the Eduqas GCSE Sociology family topic. Covers the functions of families (Murdock and Parsons), the diversity of family forms, conjugal roles and power, changing family patterns, and the functionalist, Marxist, feminist and New Right perspectives, with the key thinkers and exam technique.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.813 min readC200Updated 2026-06-02

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Jump to a section

The functions of families
Family forms and diversity
Conjugal roles and power
Changing family patterns
Theories and criticisms of the family
How to revise the family topic

The family is one of the topics on Component 1 of Eduqas GCSE Sociology (C200), alongside key concepts, education and research methods. It asks what the family does, what forms it takes, how power and roles are divided within it, how it has changed, and how the different perspectives evaluate it. This overview maps the topic and links to the dot-point answer pages.

The functions of families

Functionalists see the family as a positive, necessary institution. Murdock studied 250 societies and argued the family meets four needs: sexual, reproductive, economic and educational (socialisation). Parsons argued that in modern society the family has two basic and irreducible functions: the primary socialisation of children and the stabilisation of adult personalities (the "warm bath" theory). See functions of families.

Family forms and diversity

Britain has many family forms: nuclear, extended, reconstituted (step), lone-parent, same-sex and single-person households. The Rapoports identified several types of diversity. Diversity has grown because of more divorce, secularisation, changing attitudes, the legalisation of same-sex marriage and women's independence. See family forms and diversity.

Conjugal roles and power

Conjugal roles can be segregated (separate) or joint (shared). Willmott and Young argued the family had become symmetrical, with more equal roles. Ann Oakley disagreed, showing women still did most housework and childcare, the dual burden. Power also covers decision-making and control of money. See conjugal roles and power.

Changing family patterns

Marriage rates have fallen, cohabitation has risen, divorce rose sharply after the 1969 Divorce Reform Act, and Britain has an ageing population. The reasons include changes in the law, secularisation, changing attitudes and women's financial independence. See changing family patterns.

Theories and criticisms of the family

Functionalists and the New Right see the family positively, the New Right championing the traditional nuclear family. Marxists argue it serves capitalism; feminists argue it is patriarchal and benefits men. Both critical perspectives point to the dark side of family life: domestic violence and child abuse. See theories and criticisms of families.

How to revise the family topic

Attach a thinker to every idea. Murdock, Parsons, Willmott and Young, and Oakley should appear in your answers.
Master the symmetrical family debate. It is a favourite for the longer questions; learn both sides.
Know the reasons behind the trends. Diversity and divorce questions reward causes, not just descriptions.
Practise evaluation. Set functionalism and the New Right against feminism and Marxism and reach a judgement.

Test yourself with the family quiz.

Sources & how we know this

Eduqas GCSE Sociology (C200) specification — WJEC Eduqas (2017)