can sm1 mark this for me? thank u <33
discuss how far sociologists would agree that the traditional nuclear family is the most appropriate family type on which to raise children in britain today (12m)
functionalists view the nuclear family as one of the most appropriate family type. parsons argued the nuclear family provided gender socialisation as both the parents perform distinct functions: instrumental and expressive. this would allow children to become socialised into their gender. not only this, but functionalists believe that when children see their parents together, it provides reassurance and allows to develop and stabilise their personalities. however, this raised criticism due to the fact that it encourages patriarchism amongst boys and encourages them to become dominant over girls.
this brings me to my next point where feminists disagree that the nuclear family is the most appropriate family type. they believe that it promotes patriarchy and essentially forces girls to have no aspirations in regards to education or their career and, instead, want to be a housewife. they also argue that the nuclear family makes boys want to maintain their control over girls as they’ve seen their father do the same. this can have criticisms, however, due to the fact that in willmott and young’s research, they’ve found nuclear families to become more symmetrical within the past 50 years with both the parents doing similar household tasks.
overall, the idea whether or not the nuclear family is the most appropriate can be disrupted upon. some believe it gives children a sense of belonging but others may say it reinforces the belief of male dominance in society.