Which statement best defines family ideology?

• A. A stereotype
• B. The dominant beliefs about how families are and how they ought to be
• C. A generalised, oversimplified view of an institution or social group
• D. A policy to support families

Answer: (B)

Family ideology is the dominant set of beliefs, values and norms about what families are and how they ought to be. It isn’t just a personal opinion or a simple stereotype; it’s the culturally shared ideas that people see as the natural or proper way for families to look and act. These beliefs help justify and sustain existing family arrangements—like the idea that the ideal family is a heterosexual, nuclear unit with defined gender roles—by making them seem normal or right. Because ideology shapes what people expect from family life and even how laws, policies, and media portray families, it has a powerful influence beyond individual viewpoints. The other options miss this sense of a shared, normative framework that guides behavior and justifies arrangements, focusing instead on oversimplified views or concrete policies rather than the wider system of beliefs.