Social Policy and the Law: Civil Partnerships and Same-Sex Marriage - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

11 original exam-style questions - 4 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

Download PDF Jump to mark scheme (page 5)Social Policy and the Law: Civil Partnerships and Same-Sex Marriage revision guide

This topic is chapter 6 of GCSE Sociology: Families Practice Book 2.

3.13 Social Policy and the Law: Civil Partnerships and Same-Sex Marriage

AQA 8192 · about 55 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Write full sentences in extended answers Q16. Spend about 40 minutes on the whole paper, with 12-15 minutes on the final evaluation.

Using your knowledge of policy and family sociology, explain two reasons why some feminist sociologists support equal marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples.

(Total for Question 1 is 4 marks)

Define the sociological term 'heteronormativity' and explain its relevance to debates about civil partnerships and same-sex marriage.

(Total for Question 2 is 4 marks)

Explain two ways local institutions, such as schools or workplaces, may have to change their policies after the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 and related adoption law changes.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Identify two sociological perspectives and explain briefly how each would interpret the impact of legal changes for same-sex couples, for example civil partnerships and same-sex marriage.

(Total for Question 4 is 4 marks)

Discuss how far sociologists would agree that legal changes such as the Civil Partnership Act 2004, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, and adoption rights for same-sex couples have increased family diversity and equality in the UK. In your answer, refer to relevant sociological perspectives and give a supported conclusion. Write in full sentences.

(Total for Question 5 is 12 marks)

Define what is meant by a 'civil partnership' in UK family law as introduced by the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

(Total for Question 6 is 2 marks)

State one way adoption law in the UK changed to include same-sex couples, naming the legal context and a relevant year if you can.

(Total for Question 7 is 2 marks)

Identify one argument the New Right gives in reaction to extending marriage and marriage-like rights to same-sex couples, keeping the point brief and clearly signposted as a reaction.

(Total for Question 8 is 2 marks)

Explain two ways the Civil Partnership Act 2004 affected practical rights for same-sex couples, such as financial or parental rights.

(Total for Question 9 is 4 marks)

State one social effect sociologists have linked to legal recognition of same-sex relationships, for example on social acceptance or family stability.

(Total for Question 10 is 2 marks)

Item A: A short summary of a local council leaflet about family support services. The leaflet says: 'Following changes in law, our adoption teams and family support services recognise and welcome families formed by same-sex parents. We provide the same advice on childcare, schooling and financial support to same-sex couples as to different-sex couples.' Using Item A and your own knowledge, identify two ways this leaflet illustrates the effect of legal change on local services.

(Total for Question 11 is 4 marks)

Mark scheme · 3.13 Social Policy and the Law: Civil Partnerships and Same-Sex Marriage

Question 1

B1 identifies a reason, e.g. equal rights reduce discrimination and structural inequality for LGBT people
B1 development, e.g. this supports gender equality goals by challenging heteronormative assumptions about family roles
B1 identifies a second reason, e.g. legal recognition can improve material conditions for parents and children in same-sex families
B1 development, e.g. this includes access to parental leave, adoption rights and social security that benefit children
Answer: Feminists support equal marriage and adoption rights because they reduce discrimination and structural inequality for LGBT people, challenging heteronormative assumptions about family roles, and because legal recognition improves material conditions for parents and children through access to parental leave, adoption rights and social security.

Question 2

B1 defines heteronormativity as the assumption that heterosexual relationships are the normal or preferred form of sexual relationship
B1 development, e.g. it includes norms about gender roles and family structure that privilege heterosexual couples
B1 explains relevance, e.g. civil partnerships and same-sex marriage challenge heteronormative assumptions by giving legal recognition to non-heterosexual relationships
B1 further development, e.g. changing laws can reduce institutional reinforcement of heteronormativity in areas like adoption and public services
Answer: Heteronormativity is the assumption that heterosexual relationships are the normal or preferred form of sexual relationship, including norms about gender roles that privilege heterosexual couples; civil partnerships and same-sex marriage challenge these assumptions by giving legal recognition to non-heterosexual relationships and reducing institutional reinforcement of heteronormativity.

Question 3

B1 identifies one change, e.g. schools may update forms and language to be inclusive of same-sex parents
B1 development, e.g. this ensures same-sex parents are recognised on admission forms and in parent communications
B1 identifies a second change, e.g. workplaces may update parental leave and benefits policies to cover same-sex parents equally
B1 development, e.g. this provides equal access to time off, paternity or shared parental leave and benefits for children of same-sex couples
Answer: Schools may update forms and language to include same-sex parents so they are recognised on admission forms and in communications, and workplaces may update parental leave and benefits policies to cover same-sex parents equally, giving equal access to time off and family-related benefits.

Question 4

B1 identifies one perspective, e.g. functionalism
B1 explains functionalist interpretation, e.g. sees legal recognition as promoting social stability and family integration by recognising stable relationships
B1 identifies a second perspective, e.g. the New Right or liberalism
B1 explains that perspective's interpretation, e.g. liberals welcome equality and individual choice, while the New Right may criticise the extension of marriage from a traditionalist viewpoint
Answer: Functionalists would interpret legal recognition as promoting social stability and integrating diverse family forms by recognising committed relationships; liberals welcome the changes as advancing equality and individual choice; the New Right may criticise extension of marriage from a traditionalist viewpoint, arguing it weakens the special status of heterosexual marriage.

Question 5

Level 1 (1-3): Simple statements about legal changes with little linkage to sociological perspectives or conclusions.
Level 2 (4-6): Some developed points linking legal changes to increased recognition of same-sex families or equality, with limited use of sociological perspectives and limited weighing of alternative views.
Level 3 (7-9): Clear explanations using at least two sociological perspectives to show how legal changes increased recognition and equality for same-sex families, and consideration of limits such as persistent social attitudes or uneven implementation.
Level 4 (10-12): A well-balanced discussion drawing on several perspectives, for example liberals and functionalists highlighting legal recognition and social inclusion, feminists noting improved parental rights, and the New Right offering a critical reaction; evaluation of evidence about social attitudes, policy implementation and remaining inequalities, and a supported conclusion that weighs the evidence.
Indicative content:
- Liberal perspective: legal changes promote equality, remove discrimination and expand individual choice, supporting same-sex couples to form legal families.
- Functionalist perspective: recognising stable relationships, including same-sex unions, can support social cohesion and the welfare of children by providing legal stability.
- Feminist perspective: legal recognition and adoption rights improve material and parental rights for same-sex parents, reducing gendered inequalities and supporting child wellbeing.
- New Right reaction: some argue extending marriage weakens the special status of traditional heterosexual marriage and may have negative consequences for social norms; this is a minority reaction in this topic and should be treated as one perspective among several.
- Limits: legal change does not guarantee immediate social acceptance; prejudice and discrimination can persist and implementation can vary between local services and institutions.
- Evidence: use of survey data on public attitudes, statistics on numbers of civil partnerships converted to marriage, adoption rates, and examples of policy changes in schools or workplaces to support arguments.
- Conclusion: balanced judgement weighing rights and recognition gains against remaining social and practical limits, stating how far sociologists would agree overall.

Question 6

B1 identifies that a civil partnership is a legally recognised union between two people of the same sex registered with the state
B1 development, e.g. it gives many legal rights and responsibilities similar to marriage, such as inheritance and pension rights (oe)
Answer: A civil partnership is a legally recognised union between two people of the same sex registered with the state; it gives many legal rights and responsibilities similar to marriage, such as inheritance and pension rights.

Question 7

B1 identifies a correct change, e.g. same-sex couples were allowed to adopt jointly in England and Wales from 2005
B1 brief development, e.g. this meant same-sex couples gained the same adoption rights as different-sex couples in many parts of the UK
Answer: Same-sex couples were allowed to adopt jointly in England and Wales from 2005, meaning they gained adoption rights similar to different-sex couples.

Question 8

B1 identifies a New Right style criticism, e.g. that extending marriage beyond heterosexual couples weakens the traditional special status of marriage
B1 brief development, e.g. New Right thinkers may worry this undermines social stability linked to a traditional family model
Answer: A New Right reaction is that extending marriage beyond heterosexual couples weakens the traditional special status of marriage, and they worry this could undermine social stability associated with the traditional family model.

Question 9

B1 identifies one practical effect, e.g. civil partners gained inheritance rights similar to married couples
B1 development, e.g. this protected surviving partners from losing property or benefits on the death of a partner
B1 identifies a second practical effect, e.g. civil partners gained pension survivor benefits and next of kin recognition
B1 development, e.g. this improved financial security and formal recognition in healthcare and tax situations
Answer: Civil partners gained inheritance rights similar to married couples, protecting surviving partners from losing property or benefits, and they gained pension survivor benefits and next of kin recognition, improving financial security and formal recognition in healthcare and tax situations.

Question 10

B1 identifies a genuine social effect, e.g. increased social acceptance and visibility of same-sex families
B1 brief development, e.g. legal recognition tends to make same-sex relationships more visible and accepted in public institutions
Answer: Legal recognition has been linked to increased social acceptance and visibility of same-sex families, as laws can make such families more visible and accepted in schools, workplaces and public institutions.

Question 11

B1 identifies one way, e.g. local services now explicitly include same-sex parents in guidance and support
B1 development, e.g. this shows legal change has prompted institutional policies to be updated for equality
B1 identifies a second way, e.g. services offering the same advice indicate practical equal treatment in areas like schooling and financial support
B1 development, e.g. this reduces barriers to access and signals that same-sex families should expect equal provision
Answer: The leaflet shows local services explicitly include same-sex parents in guidance and support, indicating policies were updated after legal change; and it shows services offer the same practical advice on schooling and financial support, indicating practical equal treatment and reduced barriers to access for same-sex families.

Social Policy and the Law: Civil Partnerships and Same-Sex Marriage - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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