What does the family do for society, and how do sociologists view it?
The functions the family performs for individuals and society, and the contrasting functionalist, Marxist and feminist perspectives on the role of the family.
A focused answer on the functions of the family and sociological perspectives for WJEC GCSE Sociology: what the family does for society, and the functionalist, Marxist and feminist views of the family.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the functions the family performs for individuals and society, and the three main perspectives sociologists use to view the family: functionalist, Marxist and feminist. You need to describe what the family does (socialisation, emotional support, and so on) and then explain how the three perspectives disagree about whether the family benefits everyone, capitalism, or men. Presenting all three views fairly is what earns marks on "discuss" questions.
The functions of the family
The functionalist perspective
The Marxist perspective
The feminist perspective
Try this
Q1. Identify two functions of the family. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Any two of: primary socialisation, stabilisation of adult personalities (emotional support), reproduction, economic support and social control.
Q2. Explain how the feminist view of the family differs from the functionalist view. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Functionalists see the family as benefiting everyone by meeting society's needs, while feminists argue it benefits men more than women because women do most of the unpaid housework and childcare and can face inequality within it.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC (Component 1)4 marksDescribe two functions the family performs for society.Show worked answer →
A describe question (AO1). Reward two distinct, developed functions.
Socialisation. The family carries out primary socialisation, teaching children the norms and values of society.
Stabilisation of adult personalities. The family provides emotional support and security for adults, sometimes called a "warm bath" that relieves stress.
Top band. Two clear functions, each developed with a short explanation.
WJEC (Component 1)8 marksDiscuss the view that the family benefits everyone in society.Show worked answer →
A discuss question (AO1, AO2 and evaluation). Reward contrasting perspectives and a judgement.
Functionalist view. The family benefits everyone: it socialises children, stabilises adults and meets society's needs.
Marxist and feminist views. Marxists argue the family benefits capitalism, not everyone; feminists argue it benefits men more than women through unequal domestic roles.
Judgement. The family clearly performs useful functions, but the Marxist and feminist critiques show the benefits are not shared equally, so it does not benefit everyone in the same way.
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Sociology (Wales) specification (C200QS) — WJEC (2017)