Understanding Individuals and Society Portfolio

This portfolio is an assignment for the Understanding Individuals and Society unit, which aims to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological perspectives in relation to human behaviour. The portfolio covers topics such as terrorism, mental health, gender, and the role of religion and science in society. The teaching schedule runs for 12 weeks, and the portfolio accounts for 100% of the graded marks for the unit.

FYA002-0 Understanding Individuals and Society
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Teaching schedule for Understanding Individuals and Society FYA002-0
TEACHING
WEEK
LECTUR
E
1 Introduction to the unit: psychology and society
2 Mass media in society
3 Technology, social media and human relationships
4 Terrorism
5 Mental health and contemporary society
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Gender
The handing out of the assessment workbooks.
7 The role of religion and science in society
8 Psychological perspectives on criminal behaviour
9 The changing nature of families and childhood in
society
10 The physical health of the nation
11 Effects of globalisation and multiculturalism
Easter break – 6th – 17 April 2020
W/B 20th April
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Individual/guided study week - no lectures/workshops
12 Assignment/portfolio will be submitted today
portfolios must be submitted by 10 am.
13 Social and psychological issues of identity
14 Revision Lecture
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Introduction
Welcome to the student Assignment workbook which will guide you through the assignment
requirements for this unit. Having engaged in the unit thus far this is your one and final
assignment for the unit. You are expected to independently gather enough information so that
you are able to answer the set questions for each week. The portfolio itself will account for
100% of the graded marks for the unit. The teaching team for the Understanding Individuals
and Society have produced this workbook as a practical aid for you as students on this unit in
readiness for submission of your portfolio. On completion of the tasks within this booklet
you will be required to submit the booklet
The portfolio ideally builds upon the learning that you have undertaken throughout semester
1 and contributes towards your progression onto Level 4. The portfolio is an opportunity for
you to demonstrate your knowledge of the models, theories and debates within the taught
lessons and within the field of Social Sciences. It is important that you read this workbook
carefully so that you are clear about the assignment expectations. Within this workbook you
will find a number of hyperlinks which will lead you to short video clips, these are intended
to help you understand specific topics better and therefore to assist you in completing the
portfolio to a higher standard. These video clips are there to help you they will not provide
you with the complete answers therefore you will need to research a little more using the
points raised in the video clips as a guide.
Aims of the module
1 Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding
• Understand sociological perspectives in relation to human behaviour
2 Demonstrate the following skills and
abilities
• Can demonstrate how, where and when to use different information concerning
human behaviour
Session Structure and Learning Methods
The module will run over 12 weeks – please note that the submission of this portfolio has
been set for 24 February 2020.
Some lectures will be specifically included to provide guidance concerning depth and sc ope
of material to be studied during each of the lectures. You are recommended to extend your
learning by consulting relevant subject-specific textbooks and other resources to extend your
knowledge and understanding further.
Self-Study & Follow-up Work
You are strongly advised to use self-study time to fully meet the intended learning outcomes
of the module by working through the information given during lectures and tutorials. The
aim is to enable you to apply your knowledge and understanding of the subject material
learnt in this academic Unit in a concise and understandable way. It is important to clearly

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demonstrate you learning when answering the questions set for you each week.

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Preparation for your portfolio submission
An electronic copy of the portfolio must be submitted through BREO. No hard copies are
to be submitted.
Portfolios will be marked by the Unit Co-coordinator and a second marker and the
recommended grade agreed. It is the university policy that you should be able to receive
feedback on your work within 15 days of submission. Feedback on your portfolio will be
available on BREO.
Ensure that your portfolio is submitted with a cover sheet which identifies you via your
student
ID number, Unit name and code.
Please ensure that you keep, in a safe place the electronic receipt which will be given to you
once you have submitted the portfolio. This acts of proof of submission should there be any
queries about the time of submission or whether in fact you have submitted.
1. Make sure that you have proof read your work BEFORE it is submitted.
2. Have you read the questions carefully?
3. Does your work contain full sentences? Do the sentences begin with a capital letter
and end with a full stop?
4. Have you inserted references?
5. Have you referenced correctly? Are the references in alphabetical order by family
name in your reference list?
6. Does you work have a clear introduction, middle and ending?
Completing your
What am I required to do in this assignment?
This assignment asks you to complete weekly tasks in order to build a portfolio of your
knowledge and understanding of sociological perspectives and relate this knowledge to every
day experiences.
In order to complete this assignment you will need to follow the steps outlined
below:
Step 1: Ensure that you complete the weekly tasks set in your workbook which will be
provided by your tutor.
Step 2: Follow all instructions in the workbook for each weekly task. For example, Week 6
task will be to explain the similarities between 2 sociological perspectives, Week 7 will then
ask you to investigate and describe the differences between 2 sociological per spectives on
human behaviour.
Step 3: In order to address these tasks you will need to identify, locate and conduct some
reading of a variety of different texts -guidance will be given on good academic texts to read.
Step 4: You will need to make some notes in your own words based on your reading and

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your understanding of different sociological perspectives and how they explain human
behaviour

Step 5: You will then be asked to answer a short essay question which will be written
under timed conditions in your classroom. You will be allowed to take your
portfolio into the classroom with you.
Step 6: You will submit your completed
portfolio of work
How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled
sessions?
Through building the portfolio (assignment) you are week by week developing and
embedding knowledge of the key sociological theories and how to apply it to
everyday issues within a society. This assessment is specifically related to developing
key academic skills; writing, searching for and selecting appropriate academic
literature, reading that literature and paraphrasing its content, referencing,
developing notes, following instructions and using IT. By completing the in class test
you are showing that you can take what you have learned in the lecture room and in a
timed setting develop an answer to a set question. For further information relating to
the portfolio can be found on the BREO shell for this unit.
Prepare answers for the following sets of
questions.
Week 4
Question 1.
Subject:
Terrorism
Date: W/B 24th February 2020
1. Identify a recent newspaper article which discusses the issue of terrorism.
You will also need to clearly state the name of the newspaper and the
author(s) of the article.
Vikram Dodd and Jamie Grierson. 2019. Fastest-growing UK terrorist
threat is from far right, say police [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/19/fastest-growing-
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uk-terrorist-threat-is-from-far-right-say-police >.
This article was published in The Guardian newspaper and was written by the Vikram
Dodd and Jamie Grierson. This was about UK police and its views upon terrorism.
2. Identify the sociological perspective being used to discuss the issue of
terrorism.
The sociological perspective is used for discussing terrorism issue and most of which
depends upon conflict perspective. This includes conflict strategy used for developing
the presence of inequality and dominance of ruling class in the society.
3. In which way does this perspective explain terrorism?
The conflict theory of sociological perspective provides details about management of
competition that is involved with people feeling discriminated and dominated within
ruling class. This includes feeling of competition and inequality which consists of
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creating wars and act of violence.
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Week 5
Question 2.
Subject: Mental Health and Contemporary Society
Date: W/B 2nd March 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO0v_JqxFmQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0zJGDokyWQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRN8oeMNaDc
1. Identify a sociological perspective on mental health.
The sociological approach to mental health mainly emphasize upon environment or social
context. There is on type of sociological study which explains different sort of social
conditions which includes negative life events, stressful circumstances that demands social
roles, level of social support and cultural systems. The sociological approaches to
psychological wellbeing are different fundamentally. They have to emphasize upon impact
of social circumstances on mental illness and health. this includes how a person lives,
social conditions, structure and cultural system. The social perspective assumes that
changes within conception of madness are involved in transformation of personal problems
including mental illness, deviant behaviours, etc. There are few social influences consisting
of stressful life events. Such type of events consists of various circumstances like getting
divorce, developing of serious automobile accident and losing a job. Some other social
causes of poor mental health is involved in persisting living conditions which are not
appearing within specific time. Individuals who are living in social environment are
involved in featuring high rates of poverty, crime rates, neighbourhood instability and
broken families. There are other stressful events including oppressive working conditions,
troubled marriages, unreasonable parents, etc. There are several sociologists which have
provided study details that how social conditions are affecting level of mental health. There
are other people who look into social reactions to mental health. The mental behaviour
outcomes mean that they are providing good measure of general stress regarding
psychological wellbeing or ill health.

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2. Who is the key thinker of your chosen perspective?
Social determinants frameworks emphasize upon evaluating how circumstances in which
individuals live and work for shaping health outcomes. Some of the social aspects of
mental illness are involved in driving deep rooted inequalities like lower life expectancy,
burden of diseases and high child mortality rate. By considering mental health, it is
concluded that social gradient affects risk of disorder and access to various services. There
is a life course approach that covers prenatal periods including old age, community level
contexts economic factors. Due to the development of social determinants, there is
distinction between downstream and upstream. It consists of fixed individual
characteristics like gender and race. This type of work is involved in highlighting impact
upon racism and daily stress. It is concluded by Fisher and Baum that impact of chronic
stress on mental health outcomes are at lower end of social gradient and it consists of stress
and anxiety. In context of examining dynamic social determinants which are associated
with mental health, there is significant support for characteristics consisting of nationality,
ethnicity, orientation, etc.
3. What are the two (2) key points used to explain mental health?
Mental health is known as integral and essential component for health and it is state of
complete social, physical and mental wellbeing of an individual. This is known as a
fundamental for collective and individual ability as human evolve, think and interact with
each other. There are psychological, social and biological factors determines level of
mental health. the promotion of mental health includes improving psychological wellbeing.
This consists of creating an environment which is supporting mental health. There are
several national mental health policies used for concerning about mental disorders and
issues which are promoting mental health. There are lot of ways for improvising mental
health and these consists of the following –
• mental health interventions at work (e.g. stress prevention programmes)
• housing policies (e.g. housing improvement)
• violence prevention programmes (e.g. reducing availability of alcohol and access to
arms)
• community development programmes (e.g. integrated rural development);
• poverty reduction and social protection for the poor

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• anti-discrimination laws and campaigns
• promotion of the rights, opportunities and care of individuals with mental disorders
There is need to have proper knowledge regarding escalation of burden of mental disorder
and how it has substantially developed over past decade. The knowledge for escalating
burden for mental disorder includes economic intervention which is cost effective and
feasible.
Week 6
Question 3.
Subject: Gender
Date: W/B 9th March 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=QthMrCqspww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=qbdcmKC1d2M
1. Which sociological perspectives explain the issue of gender?
The structural functionalist perspective for gender elaborates that gender inequalities are
present within society and they impact society in a negative manner. In context of
structural functionalist, it is concluded that social responsibilities and managing issues
associated with gender.

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2. Give one example where women are oppressed by their gender.
Women are generally discriminated at workplaces. They are given less respect and salary at
few workplaces. There are non-Inclusive Workplace at which females are ignored and are not
allowed to participate in business decision making.
3. What are the similarities between the two (2) sociological perspectives you have
identified?
The similarities among the Functionalism sociological perspective and Conflict theory of
sociological perspective is based on the evidence that both theories are believing on the fact
that society is leading and performing some basic and functional role in Human life.
Week 7
Question 4.
Subject: The role of religion and science in society
Date: W/B 16th March 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgpR1hj4_9o
1. Which two (2) sociological perspectives are critical of the role of religion in
society?
There are two theories like conflict and functional theories. These are used for analysing
religion in society. This includes assessing the sociological theories which are involved in the

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analysis of macro factors associated with examination of different individuals.
2. What are the differences between the sociological perspectives identified?
There is difference between functional and conflict theories. The difference can be evaluated
on the basis of role of religion within society. The conflict theory for sociological perspective
includes development of inequality this includes promotion of social conflicts and managing
inequality that takes place in society.

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3. Discuss the different definitions of religion and the weaknesses of the definitions.
There are several scholars who are present within world for redefining human recognition.
This definition is different for providing narrow aspect for religion. Another important
concept of religion is unified system and this provides the recognition for narrowing the
aspect of practices.
4. Give an example of the way in which religions influences human behavior.
The example of the way in which religions influences human behaviour includes morality
which is led by religion. This consists of high self-reports and minimising religiosity
spectrum. Domestic abuse is not part of religion.

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Week 8
Question 5.
Subject: Sociological perspectives on criminal behaviour
Date: W/B 23rd March 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmMZnvI0JjA
1. In what way is Charles Murray’s explanation of crime similar to Emile Durkheim’s
explanation?
The Charles Murray’s explanation of crime has been totally depending upon crime that is
committed by unemployed individuals. It is concluded that lone parent families are leading
to poor socialisation. As per Emile Durkheim, it is clear that individual act is towards social
factors.
2. In which ways are these two (2) perspectives different?
There are two perspectives of Charles Murray’s and Emile Durkheim’s and both of these are
different. As per Charles Murray, crime is associated with rational choice of an individual.
On the other hand, according to Emile Durkheim, suicide as well as other violent activities
are focusing upon integration of extent to which an individual is controlling the norms and
regulations.
Food for thought.
Over the past five weeks you should have been in the process of answering a series of
questions which will come together to form your portfolio. The portfolio is the only
assignment that you will have to submit for this unit, therefore we would like to
encourage you to reflect upon your work in this portfolio before you submit it on the
deadline date. To help you with this please read and think about the following questions.
How well did your work meet the stated assessment criteria?
The work done by me has met the criteria as all guidelines are followed.

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How can you improve your performance in future tasks?
I will involve more secondary research further in future projects.
We will revisit these questions again in weeks 10 and 12.

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Week 9
Question 6.
Subject: The changing nature of families and childhood in society
Date: W/B 30th March 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=QzKr26kiVg4
1. What is a child?
A child refers to an individual who is in the range between period of time birth and
attainment of age of puberty which comprised of both female and male below the age of
eighteen years. From different perspective child is basically a new born daughter or son
and also in the immature stage.
2. How would you define family?
Family can be defined in a manner that which is a social unit and comprises of parents in
the form of a group. Family is a kind of group where people love each other and support
every member in an inspiring manner.
3. In which ways has the concept of family changed since the 1960’s?
This concept has changed in this manner that due to dis balance between personal and
professional life. As a result family can't live in an appropriate manner with love and
affection due to which family bond also get weaken. Due to this kind of problem divorce
rate also increasing on a faster pace manner and families are converting into nuclear form.

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Week 10
Question 7.
Subject: The physical health of the nation
Date: W/B 6th April 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0pnEMBgEG24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=6c8BCZd6GXU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roAQHn5rEoQ
1. How would you define the term ‘health’?
Health can be defined in a manner that it is a kind of state of complete well being in terms
of mental, physical and social wellness as well. Concept of health is also based on living a
healthy lifestyle with a proper balance between physical activity and proper diet as well.
2. Which ethnicity is understood to be most at risk of obesity?
Obesity percentage in UK country for Black Africans is 38%, for black Caribbean is 32%
and for Pakistani it is 28%.
3. Why?
It has been observed that individuals and members who belong from minority group of UK
tend to have lower socioeconomic status which turns into the greatest risk of obesity
specially in case of child and women. People related to minority group of UK tend to be
risky for obesity on the basis of their experience levels of obesity related stigma.
4. What is the role of sociology in understanding health?
Role of sociology in understanding health in terms of social factor lead towards greater
influence on mental wellness and health of an individual. It is also useful in understanding
the impact of social factors and belongings with the influence of social process and beliefs
on health and behaviour of an individual.

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Food for thought.
Over the past seven weeks you should have been in the process of answering a series of
questions which will come together to form your portfolio. The portfolio is the only
assignment that you will have to submit for this unit, therefore we would like to encourage
you to reflect upon your work in this portfolio before you submit it on the deadline date.
To help you with this please read and think about the following questions.
How well did your work meet the stated assessment criteria?
I tried to put all efforts in my project and I have followed all videos and guidelines that have
helped to complete project efficiently.
Have you referenced correctly?
Yes
Have you ensured that there is enough detail within your answers that clearly
demonstrates that you have answered the questions correctly and that what it is that you
have written can be clearly understood?
Yes
How can you improve your performance in future tasks?
Through analysis of more vital documents and research which are related with current topic.
We will revisit these questions again in week 12.

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Week 11
Question 8
Subject: Effects of globalism and multiculturalism
Date: W/B 13th April 2020
1. What are some of the positive effects of globalisation?
It is a concept which leads towards free flow of goods, services, people jobs across
international borders which is helpful in leaving positive impacts into business world.
Positive effects of globalisation majorly comprises of access to new and more efficient
technology. It also creates opportunities for firms in less industrialised countries.
2. What are some of the issues with ‘outsourcing’ jobs?
Issues with respect to outsourcing of jobs is that the cultural difference which creates
problems in terms of communication level and which results into conflicts and chaos due
to lack of coordination among culturally diversified workforces. Change in management
and meeting the unrealistic expectations also creates problems in outsourcing the jobs .
3. What is your definition of “culture?”
Culture refers to specific characteristics, traits and knowledge pattern which is comprised
of group of people and also focuses on language, religion, cuisine and social habits along
with their taste and preferences in terms of music and arts. In the simplistic manner, culture
can be defined in a way of life of group of people that reflects sum total of belief,
behaviour and human knowledge.
4. Why is cultural diversity important?
It is important because as it lead towards connection and interaction of diversified group of
people which enhances understanding level of individuals and knowledge by making them
aware about different languages. Cultural diversity is also basically integration of
diversified skills and talented employees at workplace.

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Week 12
Subject: portfolio submission.
Food for thought.
Over the first semester of your studies should have been in the process of answering a
series of questions which will come together to form your portfolio. The portfolio is the
only assignment that you will have to submit for this unit, therefore we would like to
encourage you to reflect upon your work in this portfolio before you submit it on the
deadline date.
You would have been given a number of opportunities within the lectures, seminars and
individual tutorials to explore and discuss with the teaching team how best to develop your
portfolio in accordance with the assignment brief.
To help you with this please read and think about the following
questions. How well did your work meet the stated assessment criteria?
Have you referenced correctly?
Have you ensured that there is enough detail within your answers that clearly
demonstrates that you have answered the questions correctly and that what it is that you
have written can be clearly understood?
How can you improve your performance in future tasks?
1. Make sure that you have proof read your work BEFORE it is submitted.
2. Have you read the questions carefully?
3. Does your work contain full sentences? Do the sentences begin with a capital letter
and end with a full stop?
4. Have you inserted references?
5. Have you referenced correctly? Are the references in alphabetical order by family
name in your reference list?
6. Does you work have a clear introduction, middle and ending?

FINAL TASK FOR THE
WORKBOOK
Please use the pages below to write your answer to the short essay question which
will be written under timed conditions in your classroom. You will be allowed to take
your portfolio into the classroom with you.
Sociological perspective of families
Family is defined as building block of society and this is known as basic social group
within a society. The way in which family members in one family are related each other
are seen to affect their work, lives, work and friends. When the group of families are
interacting with each other then they can relate to each other more conveniently. Family
within sociology is known as group of individuals who are biologically, legally and
emotionally connected to each other (Bibi and Malik, 2016). The most common model
which is seen nowdays among family is nuclear family. This constitutes of married
heterosexual couple which is living together and managing their children. It is concluded
that mother generally feed their kids and do the household work. On the other hand,
father has to take care of all financial needs of child. Family within sociology is the one
which is supported by social institutions like education, government and welfare. There
are different structures of family in context of social perspective. The structural
perspective is involved in identifying the function for society. The structural
functionality is considered as key point that is revolving around a stable system. This is
made of functioning structures that are used for maintaining equilibrium of the society as
a whole. The main advantage of functionalism consists of inclusion regarding social
institutions and family is the one aspect that is benefited (Campopiano and De Massis,
2015). Family is known to be viewed by functionalists and these work as social
institution which contributes for social order. This completely consists of reproduction
of different society and producing as well as socialising children who are turning future
labourers. This includes socialising new members of society and managing value as well
as norms of society which is seen as source of emotional support. Family is known as
emotional support provided to the members and managing the functionalities properly.
The functions of family structure are helpful for society patterns in order to run in a
smooth manner. They also help in maintaining stability and perfection while running
families. There are different problems within families which arise from changes that
occur in family function or structure (Cannella Jr, Jones and Withers, 2015). These can
have negative impact upon society and family. This can be explained with an example

that if families are failing to maintain discipline in their work, children and schools then
there is need to change and fix this failure. In context of functionalist, there is need for
asking questions when there is need for looking upon family. This includes the
management of good and stable functioning. This includes how effectively the family is
able to run a stable functioning. As per the conflict theory, it is stated that his sociology
perspective in context of family can be varied as per different angles. The key point for
this includes inequality and conflict over power which is driving within any society.
There are several inequalities in a family and these can be seen between families within
a society (Chan, 2016). These type of inequalities are reason for conflict and struggling
over various resources. These are involved in gaining influence and power. The concept
of conflict theory includes standing in contrast to the structural functionality. This argues
the presence of social arrangements which are not necessary for benefits. In context of
family, the conflict theorist can miss the parts of different society and managing their
stability and order. When there is consideration of a family, then conflict theory can
consider unequal distribution of role and responsibilities. There are several cultures
which tend to have one role or responsibility that is working and managing the
functioning of family (Ives and Sinha, 2016). The female (wife) of house has to do the
inside work. Men are paid a higher amount of salary then working women. Such type of
women is involved in spending same amount of time working outside home. The culture
of such type is adopted in various household countries. Emotional abuse and domestic
violence are known as some type of conflict that occur in family members. The concept
of symbolic internationalism is known as the third social perspective on family. This
emphasise upon connection among symbols as well as interactions. The symbolic
interactionism has the ability for focusing upon developing a concept of self and
identifying the social interaction and family activities. this provides help in
understanding several types of personalities. This also given an information about the
way in which interaction is conducted with each other for building and maintaining
social order (Tilly and Scott, 2016). This also implies any change within interaction and
how it can lead to disruption. This emphasise upon self and society study for explaining
and analysing many social issues like family dynamics and inequalities. This can be
explained with an example that marriage is bond which is technically same for each and
every individual. The rules and expectations of family members have to care for each
other and they have to express their sentiments and feelings. There can be need for
asking about help from others. There is need for analysing different perspective of
families and better understanding it. This can be seen from the perspective of
functionalist that dysfunction can lead ultimately to affect order and unity of society. If

there is any kind of violence and struggle in family, then there are chances of
dysfunction. Social interactionist have different perspective for family. This includes
examining how members of family interact on daily basis and they share understanding
and feeling. There are several studies which have suggested the ways in which wives
and husbands communicate for a successful life journey (Widmer, 2016). When wives
are in blue collar marriages then they talk to husbands regarding problems but there is
not good response from the side of husband. These type of gender differences are seen to
be present in middle class families (Walsh, 2016). There is another study which states
that wives of middle class families have ideal husbands who communicate well and
share their feelings.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bibi, N. and Malik, J.A., 2016. Effect of social support on the relationship between
relational aggression and family-maladjustment: Adolescents’
perspective. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, pp.63-76.
Campopiano, G. and De Massis, A., 2015. Corporate social responsibility reporting: A
content analysis in family and non-family firms. Journal of Business
Ethics, 129(3), pp.511-534.
Cannella Jr, A.A., Jones, C.D. and Withers, M.C., 2015. Family-versus lone-founder-
controlled public corporations: Social identity theory and boards of
directors. Academy of Management Journal, 58(2), pp.436-459.
Chan, W.S., 2016. Alex Broom. Dying: A Social Perspective on the End of Life.
Farnham, UK: Ashgate, 2015. Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue
canadienne du vieillissement, 35(4), pp.541-542.
Ives, N. and Sinha, V., 2016. Exploring the intersection of education and Indigenous
status from a social determinants of health perspective: Parent and Family
engagement in secondary school in Nunavik. International Indigenous Policy
Journal, 7(4).
Tilly, L.A. and Scott, J.W., 2016. Women, work and family. Routledge.
Walsh, F., 2016. Family resilience: a developmental systems framework. European
journal of developmental psychology, 13(3), pp.313-324.
Widmer, E.D., 2016. Family configurations: A structural approach to family diversity.
Routledge.