6. Conclusion
Summarise your essay
Don’t write ‘the theory I most agree with is…’
There is nothing in the mark scheme giving
credit for your personal opinions
7. Using material from item A and elsewhere, assess the
contribution of functionalism to our understanding of
families and households
In this essay I will examine the contribution of
Functionalist theorists such as Talcott Parsons
and George Murdock and also examine
opposing theories such as Marxism and
Feminism.
8. Main point
What Functionalists think
Differences between Murdock and Parsons
Use Item
Key terms (nuclear family, functional fit, organic
analogy, norms, values etc..)
Criticisms – Ignores diversity, assumes family is
always good etc..
9. Alternative point/s
Marxism – how it differs from Functionalist
views – examples
Feminism – How it differs from Functionalist
views - examples
10. Conclusion
In answering the question ‘assess etc….
Functionalists think …. But this view is
contradicted by the views of Feminists and
Marxists who think ….