The Social Construction of Culture – A Level Sociology Eduqas Revision

The Concept of Social Construction

Social construction is the idea that society and culture create norms, values and symbols that are considered meaningful and valuable, rather than these elements being inherent or natural.
This perspective emphasises the ways in which individuals and groups contribute to the construction of their perceived social reality. This can include aspects of family life and household organisation.

The Social Construction of Family

Family norms, household roles and familial structures are not inherently fixed or natural but are constructed and shaped over time by cultural, social and legal influences.
The understanding of what constitutes ‘family’ differs widely across cultures, societies and time periods, illustrating that it is rooted in social context rather than universal or biologically determined.

The Influence of Cultures

Cultures play a critical role in moulding our understanding and expectations of family and households. Different cultural groups can have diverse family types (e.g. polygamous or monogamous) and different norms for gender roles (e.g. patriarchal or matriarchal structures).
Culture also affects perceptions of appropriate behaviours and relationships within family (e.g. what constitutes acceptable behaviour for children, role of grandparents, power dynamics between spouses).

The Role of Institutions and Laws

Laws and state policies can create, enforce, or discourage specific types of families and households, thus playing a part in the social construction of family types. E.g., marriage laws, child custody laws, policy initiatives on family planning.
Institutions such as the education system, religious organisations and the media propagate norms and values around family life and household organisation that are often internalised.

Changing Concepts and Constructs

As societies change, the social constructs of families and households also evolve. E.g., in many Western societies, the acceptance of same-sex families, single-parent families, and childfree families has increased - illustrating shifts in the socially constructed norms and expectations of ‘family’.
This underlines the influence of social, cultural, legal, and institutional forces on determining what we consider as ‘family’, reinforcing the concept of social construction.

Critical Perspectives on Social Construction

Some critical sociologists argue that socially constructed family norms often uphold gender inequalities by propagating traditional gender roles within the family, contributing to a patriarchal society.
Other critics suggest that overemphasis on social constructionism can overlook some biological and psychological aspects that might influence family and household structures, such as the parental instinct.