A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

What societal change primarily drove the emergence of the modern family structure?

1. Technological advancements

2. Industrialization

3. Urbanization

4. Globalization

The correct answer is: Industrialization

The emergence of the modern family structure is primarily driven by industrialization. This significant societal shift, which occurred during the 18th and 19th centuries, transformed traditional agrarian lifestyles into industrial centers focused on manufacturing and urban living. As people moved from rural areas to cities in search of work in factories, the family dynamics shifted dramatically. In pre-industrial societies, families often operated as units of production, where everyone contributed to the household through agricultural work. However, with the advent of industrialization, there was a movement towards the nuclear family, which typically consists of two parents and their children. This shift was influenced by several factors: the need for wage labor in urban industrial settings, changes in economic structures, and alterations in social roles. Industrialization led to specialized roles within the family, relegating women primarily to the domestic sphere while men became breadwinners. This resulted in a reconfiguration of family functions, emphasizing emotional support and child-rearing in a context separate from work and production. Therefore, industrialization played a crucial role in shaping what we now recognize as the modern family structure, making it the correct answer in this context. While technological advancements, urbanization, and globalization also contributed to social changes, they are largely