A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

What criticism of the New Right perspective is mentioned regarding role models?

1. It focuses solely on maternal figures

2. It overlooks alternative male role models

3. It emphasizes the importance of single-parent families

4. It fails to account for cultural influences

The correct answer is: It overlooks alternative male role models

The criticism that the New Right perspective overlooks alternative male role models highlights a significant concern regarding the narrow view of family structures and the associated expectations for children's development. The New Right typically advocates for traditional family values, often emphasizing the nuclear family model where a father and mother raise children. This perspective tends to idealize the role of the father as the primary male figure, which can lead to the marginalization of other positive male influences that might exist outside of this traditional structure. By ignoring alternative male role models, such as uncles, grandfathers, mentors, or community figures, the New Right perspective may inadvertently suggest that the absence of a traditional father figure in a family equates to a lack of positive male influence altogether. This not only fails to recognize the diverse ways in which children can have access to various role models, but it also simplifies the complexities of familial relationships and the various social contexts in which children are raised. The focus on alternative male role models is crucial for understanding child development from a more holistic and inclusive standpoint, as it acknowledges that positive influences can come from a variety of sources and that families can be structured in numerous accommodating ways that still foster healthy growth and socialization in children.