The Family

Abstract

Questions on this topic cover a wide range of areas:

• 1 Problems of definition:

  • (a) Cross-cultural studies.

  • (b) Analysis of different types of family structure.

• 2 Changes in the structure of the family in industrial societies:

  • (a) Research studies illustrating variant forms.

  • (b) Historical and contemporary perspectives.

• 3 Family relationships:

  • (a) The significance of family networks.

  • (b) The significance of social class.

• 4 Some feminist perspectives on the family.

• 5 Theories of the family:

  • (a) Functionalist.

  • (b) Marxist