Question 1: Define the term 'demography' in the context of sociology and explain its importance when studying families.

Answer: Demography is the statistical study of populations, including aspects like birth rates, death rates, and family structures. It helps sociologists understand how populations change over time and how these changes impact family life and society.

Question 2: Identify and describe two factors that have contributed to changes in family size in the UK over the past 50 years.

Answer: Factors include improved healthcare, which reduces child mortality and encourages smaller families, and increased urbanization, which often leads to smaller household sizes due to limited living space.

Question 3: Explain what is meant by the term 'aging population' and discuss one potential impact this could have on families in the UK.

Answer: An aging population refers to a higher proportion of older people within the total population. This can lead to families having to care for elderly relatives, increased demand for health and social care services, and potential changes in family roles and responsibilities.

Question 4: Describe one trend in family formation in the UK in recent decades and suggest a sociological reason for this trend.

Answer: One trend is the rise in cohabitation before marriage. Sociologically, this may be due to changing attitudes towards marriage, increased acceptance of alternative family arrangements, and a desire for more flexible living arrangements.

Question 5: Sketch a simple diagram illustrating the typical age range of women giving birth in the UK today. Label the age groups clearly.

Answer: A diagram showing age groups such as 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, with the highest bar or percentage in the 25-29 age group, indicating the most common age for childbirth. The sketch should be a bar graph with labels for each age range.

Question 6: List three demographic factors that influence the structure of families in the UK.

Answer: Age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

Question 7: Explain how migration has impacted family diversity in the UK.

Answer: Migration brings different cultural practices and family structures, leading to more diverse family forms such as extended families, multi-generational households, and varied cultural parenting styles, enriching the social fabric of the UK.

Question 8: Draw a simple family tree that includes at least three generations, clearly indicating parental and grandparental relationships.

Answer: A family tree with a set of three generations: grandparents at the top, parents in the middle, and children at the bottom. The tree should show clear lines connecting parents to children and indicate gender where appropriate.

Question 9: Discuss one way in which demographic changes might influence government policy related to families.

Answer: An aging population might lead the government to develop policies focused on elderly care, pensions, and healthcare services, whereas increased diversity from migration could lead to policies supporting multicultural family support programs.