Social Studies

3.1 The family
in society

3.1.1 Introducing
sociological
concepts

3.1.2 Defining the
family

3.1.3 Family
structures

Sociological concepts, to include:

• society, culture, norms and mores, values
• role, status, socio-economic groupings, social mobility
• primary and secondary social groups, kinship, socialisation
• social institutions
• social change

The universality of the concept of family
Definitions of "the family"

The historical development of the family in Ireland from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day

Characteristics of modern family structures, to include:

• lone parent, nuclear, extended and blended families (i.e. where either or both parents have children from previous relationships)

Social, economic and technological changes affecting modern family structures

Case studies of family situations in other societies, e.g. extracts from
literature, examples from films.
Group discussions on family variations. Each group to define "the family" and consider the variation in definitions.

Comparison of Irish families with families in other European countries according to family structure, size, roles, etc.

These concepts should be integrated throughout this section, where applicable

2.1.3 Management of household financial resources in relation to different family structures
2.1.5 Household technology

Family functions:

• physical, economic, emotional, educational, and social

How these family functions may be adopted or supplemented by other social institutions

Definition of marriage

Outline knowledge of some cultural variations in marital arrangements, commitment, customs, legal obligation, rights and responsibilities within the marriage relationship

Facilities and services available to those preparing for marriage

Choices available when a marriage has broken down, to include:

• marriage counselling
• family mediation
• legal separation
• legal nullity
• divorce

Roles and responsibilities of family members and how these roles change through the life-cycle of the family

Gender issues in relation to family roles

Social and economic factors that have affected the changing roles of family members in recent times

Role conflict

Brainstorming session: all the functions carried out by the family.
Classify these functions into the five different categories.

Use of case studies, photographs, extracts from the media or literature illustrating some of the cultural variations in marital arrangements.

Group discussion using case studies as stimuli.

Case studies or interviews with older members of the community to show how family roles have changed in the last fifty to one hundred years.

1.2.3 Dietary and food requirements
2.1 Family resource management
2.1.3 Management of household
financial resources
2.1.4 Housing

3.1.3 Family structures
3.1.4 Family functions

3.1.7 Family law

2.1 Family resource management

1.3.3 Meal management and planning

Child-parent relationships, to include:

• physical and psychological needs of young children and adolescents and how the family can meet these needs
• the rights of children within the family
• conflict between adolescents and adults and how it can be dealt with
• importance of good communication within the family

The role of older people within the
family, to include:

• the importance of independence for the older person within the family group
• generation conflict and how to deal with the conflict

Response of the family unit to those with special physical, mental or emotional needs, to include statutory and voluntary services available

Use of role-playing to emphasise the
importance of good communication within the family and how this can be used to avoid or deal with conflict.

Investigation of a range of accommodation options available
for older family members, stressing
the advantages and disadvantages
of each option.

Use of role-playing and case studies to illustrate how to prevent and deal with generation conflict within the family.

Short investigative study on how a
family might respond to one of its
members with a specific physical,
mental or emotional requirement.

2.1.1 Decision-making and
communication
3.1.7 The Child Care Act (1991)

2.2 Consumer studies

1.2.3 Dietary and food requirements
of older family members

2.1.4 Housing

1.2.3 Specific dietary requirements

Protection available for families under
current Irish family law, to include:

• The Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act (1976)
• The Family Home Protection Act (1976)
• The Family Law Act (1976) section 22: barring orders
• The Judicial Separation Act (1989)
• The Child Care Act (1991)

The importance of and outline procedure for making a will