AS & A Level Sociology 9699 · Topic 3

Theories of the family and social change: past paper questions

118 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Explain, Evaluate, Describe, Assess, Define

Real questions on theories of the family and social change

The newest 20 of 118 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9699/21 · May/June 2026 · Q2a[8]
Explain two ways the family promotes the interests of capitalism.
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9699/21 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[6]
Explain two limitations of Marxist views of the family.
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9699/22 · May/June 2026 · Q2a[8]
Explain two ways the family benefits society, according to functionalists.
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9699/22 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[6]
Explain one strength and one limitation of functionalist views of the family.
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9699/23 · May/June 2026 · Q2a[8]
Explain two reasons for the increase in family diversity.
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9699/23 · May/June 2026 · Q5[26]
Evaluate the view that functionalists offer the best understanding of the role of the family.
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9699/23 · October/November 2025 · Q1[4]
Describe two ways ethnicity can influence the experience of childhood in the family.
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9699/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4[26]
Evaluate the view that the nuclear family is no longer the dominant family structure. OR
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9699/22 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[6]
Explain one strength and one limitation of postmodernist views on family diversity.
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9699/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain this view.
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9699/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[6]
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. Section B Answer one question in this section. EITHER
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9699/22 · May/June 2025 · Q5[26]
Evaluate the view that the nuclear family is the dominant family type.
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9699/23 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[8]
Explain two functions the family performs to benefit its members.
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9699/23 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[6]
Explain two strengths of functionalist views of the family.
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9699/23 · May/June 2025 · Q4[26]
Evaluate the view that cultural differences are the main cause of family diversity. OR
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9699/23 · May/June 2025 · Q5[26]
Evaluate the view that parenthood today is different from the past.
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9699/22 · February/March 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain this view.
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9699/22 · February/March 2025 · Q3b[6]
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. Section B Answer one question in this section. EITHER
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9699/22 · October/November 2024 · Q2a[8]
Explain two ways the family promotes ruling-class ideology.
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9699/22 · October/November 2024 · Q2b[6]
Explain one strength and one limitation of Marxist views of the family.
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What examiners said

Responses commonly discussed changes in and impact of, divorce laws, women’s educational & employment opportunities brought about through policy changes e.g., Equal Pay act, and introduction of same-sex marriages. Weaker responses included simple statements such as, social policies are becoming more flexible towards diversity where any family type is accepted. A small number of candidates discuss...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9699/22 Q3(a) (Cambridge)

Commonly valid responses tended to discuss the impact of secularisation or growth in individualisation, higher achieving responses successfully applied relevant sociological material to support and develop their point. Errors included a few examples discussing why there is not diversity, or the impact of social policies in creating diversity e.g., Divorce Reform act (this is the Question 3(a) req...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9699/22 Q3(b) (Cambridge)

Few candidates produced strong answers to this question. Many responses outlined examples of deviant behaviour but were unclear as to how they related to social resistance. When social resistance was referred to it was often used to articulate the idea of resisting the social norm, as opposed to resistance in the form of protest or collective action. More effective responses focused on deviant sub...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9699/12 Q3(a) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise theories of the family and social change

In the syllabus

3.1 Perspectives on the role of the family

Functionalist accounts of how the family benefits its members and society and how the functions of families have changed over time, including the ‘loss of functions’ debate.
Marxist accounts of how the family benefits capitalism, including ideological control, reproduction of labour and consumption.
Feminist responses to functionalist and Marxist accounts of the role of the family.

3.2 Diversity and social change

The causes and consequences of changing patterns of marriage, cohabitation, divorce and separation.
Different family and household forms, including nuclear, extended, lone-parent, reconstituted and single- person households. If appropriate to the local context and not restricted by law or regulation, other family and household forms may also be taught, such as same-sex families and families of choice.
Dimensions of family diversity, including organisational, cultural and class diversity.
The debate about the extent of family diversity and the dominance of the nuclear family.
New Right and postmodernist perspectives on family diversity.
The state and social policy as influences on the family.

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