Rock the A Level Sociology OCR Exam 2026 – Get Psyched to Ace It!

The primary purpose of promoting heterosexual relationships, according to George Peter Murdock, is the reproduction of the next generation. Murdock, a prominent sociologist, argued that the nuclear family, which typically includes a heterosexual couple, is fundamental for the continuation of society. This arrangement ensures that children are born and raised within a stable environment, facilitating not only biological reproduction but also the socialization of children, equipping them with the norms and values necessary to function effectively within society.

Murdock identified four essential functions of the family: sexual, reproductive, economic, and educational. While aspects like personal fulfillment, emotional stability, and social acceptance can be seen as influential outcomes of family and relationship dynamics, they are secondary compared to the straightforward need for the continuation of the human population through reproduction.