Family Diversity Explored

Overview

This 60-minute tutorial is designed for A-Level Sociology students (age 16-18) following the AQA specification for Family and Households, specifically focusing on Family Diversity. The lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England by developing critical understanding of social structures, values, and cultural diversity, fostering analytical skills and sociological enquiry.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, students will be able to:

• AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concept of family diversity in contemporary UK society as defined in the AQA Sociology Specification (Families and Households: Family Diversity, Topic 3).
• AO2: Analyse different types and reasons for family diversity using relevant sociological theories (e.g. Functionalism, New Right, Postmodernism, Feminism).
• AO3: Evaluate the impact of social policies, social class, ethnicity, gender and sexuality on family diversity.
• Develop skills in independent research, critical discussion, and application of key sociological terms.

---

National Curriculum Link

• Key Stage 5 Sociology: Understand social institutions and processes (specifically families and households) and evaluate social changes and diversity (Programme of Study – Sociology in the National Curriculum for England).
• Developments in Social and Historical Contexts: Analyse changes in family patterns as a key part of social change.
• Focus includes critical thinking, evidence evaluation and application of sociological theory.

---

Resources Required

• Whiteboard / Flipchart
• Printouts: Summary chart of family diversity types
• Case study extracts (diverse UK families)
• Sociological theory handouts
• Laptops/tablets (optional, for research & presentations)
• Writing materials

---

Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Starter (10 minutes)

• Brief recap: What defines a ‘family’ in sociology?
• Elicit students’ prior knowledge of family types; list on the board (nuclear, lone-parent, extended, reconstituted, same-sex, etc.)
• Pose a thought-provoking question: “How has diversity in family forms changed over the last 50 years in the UK?”
• Introduce the aim: To explore and critically evaluate family diversity using sociological perspectives.

---

2. Mini Lecture & Group Notes (15 minutes)

• Presentation outlining key types of family diversity (including modified extended, beanpole, single-parent, same-sex, reconstituted).
• Highlight sociological theories explaining diversity:
  • Functionalism: Nuclear family as ‘ideal’ but recognition of change
  • New Right: Concern about family breakdown and decline
  • Postmodernism: Diversity as a reflection of choice and individualism
  • Feminism: Diversity as a response to patriarchy and gender roles
• Key statistics from Office for National Statistics (ONS) or recent surveys (no links, just data figures).
• Students create a concise ‘cheat sheet’ with types, theories, and examples.

---

3. Case Study Analysis (15 minutes)

• Distribute 3 short UK-based family case studies, each highlighting a different form of family diversity (e.g., a same-sex family, a reconstituted family, a lone-parent family from a particular ethnic background).
• In pairs, students analyse:
  • What type of family diversity is demonstrated?
  • What social factors may have influenced this family structure (social class, policy, ethnicity, gender)?
  • Which sociological theory best explains this family type and why?
• Share findings briefly with the group to foster discussion. Teacher challenges and deepens analysis by prompting with “What are the strengths and limitations of these theories here?”

---

4. Critical Debate & Reflection (15 minutes)

• Students take turns in a mini-debate format: “Family diversity is a positive reflection of modern British society” vs “Family diversity challenges social stability.”
• Encourage each student to use at least two sociological theories and evidence from case studies or statistics.
• Conclude with a reflection: How does understanding family diversity challenge traditional assumptions? What might this mean for social policy?

---

5. Assessment & Homework (5 minutes)

• Formative assessment through a quick written quiz: Define two types of family diversity and explain how one sociological theory explains family diversity.
• Homework: Write a 300-word sociological evaluation on the statement: “Family diversity reflects social inequality rather than social progress.”
• Provide clear criteria linked to AO1, AO2, AO3 for their written work.

---

Differentiation & Personalisation

• With only 3 students, tailor questions to challenge each according to their ability, encouraging deeper enquiry and use of academic reading.
• Use real contemporary examples linked to students’ local communities or current events (without online access dependency).
• Encourage students to reflect on own biases about family diversity.

---

Extension Ideas to Impress Teachers

• Include a brief role-play activity where students embody different family member perspectives within a diverse family scenario, exploring conflicting opinions on family roles.
• Use anonymised local census or survey data (if available) to build a micro-analysis of family types in the community.
• Deploy a “Sociology Twitter” exercise: each student tweets a one-sentence sociological insight about family diversity, fostering concise academic writing.

---

Reflection for Teachers

This lesson emphasises critical thinking, sociological theory application, and understanding of contemporary social change—core elements of the AQA family diversity curriculum. Small group size enables rich personalised discussion and deeper analysis, making sociology come alive through real-world connections and active learning approaches.