Family and Gender

Part of the "Issues in Sociology" series, this follows the standard series format of topic introductions followed by short original readings to illustrate the topic. It covers most of the major themes and questions posed by the A-Level syllabus (Are families universal?, the symmetry / patriarchy debate, family diversity, etc.) and the primary sources are well-chosen to illustrate current debates and controversies. The format represents a good way to introduce students to original material in an easily-digestible form and each can be used as the basis for classroom discussion and explanation. Each reading is followed by specific questions based on the text and each section closes with a selection of past exam questions.

Part of the "Longman's Sociology" series, this is a high-level text, written from an explicitly feminist perspective, that combines "Theoretically informed empirical work with policy relatedness" (sic). This is an interesting book that focuses on the relationship between gender and IT. in the modern workplace. As such, it covers a range of work-related themes and issues that might be useful for project work.

Part of the "Sociology in Action" series, the focus here is on various theoretical perspectives on family life (Functionalist, Feminist, New Right and so forth) with additional short sections on marriage / divorce and contemporary trends. The text is reinforced by a good selection of essay and stimulus-type questions in addition to a range of project ideas. A nice feature is also the inclusion of lists of key ideas and key writers at the start of each section.

Part of the "Society Now" series, this is a readable and informative little book, mainly focused around the themes of generation (particularly childhood / adulthood) and youth subcultures (class and ethnicity in particular). Clear sub-headings are used to highlight major concepts, making it a book that can be dipped-into easily and productively. There's also a good selection of activities, many of which, with a bit of thought, could form the basis of an A-Level project.

Part of the "Modern Britain" series, this contains good sections on the concept and measurement of age, theories of age and various aspects of age such as childhood, youth, adulthood and old age. The emphasis throughout is on the integration of these ideas through a sociological explanation based on the concept of life course. It concludes with a short chapter on post-modernity (a sure sign of the sociological times). Overall, it's probably aimed more at first year undergraduates (a friend of mine uses it on nursing diploma courses for example), but it's a book that's readable and generally useful at A-Level.

Another in what was once the "For Beginners" series of graphic texts, this is largely a theory-free zone as far as A-level Sociology is concerned (although there are brief sections on different forms of feminism). It does, however, provide an interesting historical overview of the struggle for female liberation and the Women's Movement in Europe and America. While the emphasis is on "historically important personalities and key movers" this is a very accessible introduction to both feminism and some of the ideas and issues involved in the women's movement.

Covering the period 1815-1914, this slim volume looks at the historical position and experience of women across a range of areas (Family Life, Education, Work and Politics, with a chapter on prostitution thrown-in to spice things up a bit). The text is well-organised, with clear sub-headings and relatively short sections. Each chapter concludes with a Study Guide that includes hints on how to take notes from the chapter (useful) and short, data-response type questions to answer.  As the blurb (correctly for once) says "The Access To History series provides a concise and readable introduction to major topics and periods in European and British History...".

In a slightly unusual take on welfare policy and the Welfare State, the text puts questions of ideology (family and gender) squarely at the centre of the debate. As such, the text combines historical overviews of "welfarism" with an analysis of women's experiences and lives. The style is a bit out-dated as far as modern textbooks go, but the text is clear and useful for students doing project work in the area of welfare who want to develop a feminist slant to their studies.

An up-to-date series of readings on family life and education, some of which integrate the two areas, (although it seems the book was edited to reflect a range of family-education-achievement relationships, which suggests the intention was to provide something more than a "lucky-dip" approach). Most of the readings are relatively short and it contains some fairly heavy-duty contributors (Morgan, Saunders, Mirza, etc. - the latter’s contribution demonstrating the "finger on the pulse" credentials rather lacking in the tired retread of Saunders’ familiar (although still controversial) meritocracy argument. Although the book is aimed at an undergraduate market, many of the readings could be useful for student project work, especially in the area of socialisation and achievement.