| Answer to the WJEC Unit 1 2023 exam that received 30/30
| Includes reference to the words highlighted by the examiner when awarding marks
| 30 marker - "assess the view that the nuclear family is the ideal family type"
| Other FULL MARK answers to Unit 1 and 2 questions available
Assess the view that the nuclear family is the ideal family type [30]
The idea that the nuclear family is the ideal family type is a heavily debated
sociological idea. It’s an ideology held by functionalist and New Right
theorists, who argue that the nuclear is the only family structure that is
beneficial to its members. However, other viewpoints such as Marxists,
feminists, and postmodernists argue against this idea and claim that the
nuclear family is exploitative and other, more diverse family types are more
beneficial. This essay claims to evaluate the idea that the nuclear family is
the ideal family type or not to conclude whether it is accurate.
The first viewpoint that agrees with the idea of the nuclear family being the
ideal family structure is functionalism. Functionalists believe that the
nuclear family is ideal because, according to Murdock, it has four functions:
sexual, economic, reproduction, and education. This suggests the nuclear
family is the ideal family type as these functions benefit every member in
multiple ways. Other functionalists such as Parsons would argue that the
family has two functions: primary socialisation and the stabilisation of the
adult personality. This is supported by viewpoints such as the New Right,
who believe that the nuclear family is the ideal family type because it’s the
only family type that provides children with effective and well-rounded
primary socialisation. Functionalists are praised for their ideas as they
emphasise the importance of socialisation by the family. Furthermore,
functionalism can be supported by the fact that the nuclear family is
universally popular, proving its effectiveness. However, feminists dispute
functionalist ideas and the view that the nuclear family is the ideal family
type as they would argue that the nuclear family is ineffective at
socialisation due to unequal conjugal roles. Feminists Duncombe and
Marsden proposed the triple shift theory, suggesting that women have
three roles in the family: doing housework, going to work, and providing
emotional support to other family members. This contrasts Parson’s view as
he suggested that all family members help to emotionally stabilise one
another, suggesting conjugal roles are equal. Therefore, feminism goes
against the idea that the nuclear family is the ideal family form as it
suggests that not all family members benefit from the nuclear family
structure. In conclusion, functionalists agree with the idea that the nuclear
family is the ideal family type as they believe all family members can play a
part in benefitting one another. While this idea is opposed by feminists and
Marxists, it is supported by the New Right.
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