1. Outline and evaluate the view that family diversity has a negative impact on society Flashcards
point 1
New Right thinkers see the family as the cornerstone of society. They also see a ‘normal’ and ‘ideal’ family as the heterosexual nuclear family unit. They see the family structure changes as a concern about the state of the family.
example 1
Dennis and Erdos (1992) identified the rise in the number of children brought up without fathers as a worrying development. These children were invariably associated with antisocial behavior, criminality, delinquency, educational under-achievement and related social problems in greater proportions than their equivalent peers brought up in two-parent households.
explain 1
This shows that family diversity has a negative impact on society as it has led to children that act out against society, whereas before there was family diversity this wouldn’t happen
counter 1
Neale states that rising diversity leads to a less judgmental society as we become more accepting of all sorts of family structures and relationships and this reduces morality based judgements.
point 2
Some argue that changes in family structure like an increase in reconstituted families has negative impact on society.
example 2
De’Ath and Slater argue Children in families with step parents may find themselves pulled in two directions, especially if the relationship between their natural parents continues to be strained. They may have tense relationships with their step-parents, and conflict may arise around the extent to which the step-parent and step-child accept each other,
explain 2
This shows that family diversity has a negative impact on society as it has led to new family types that cause strained relationships and problems for society
counter 2
Beck and beck-Gernsheim argue that family diversity has led to moving place and moving jobs became easier, as there has been an increase in personal mobility, both social and geographical.
point 3
New Right thinkers have pointed to the changes in the family away from the nuclear family as an indicator of a decline in moral standards.
example 3
Murray has suggested that single parents are at the heart of a so-called ‘underclass’ that has appeared in the inner city and which is supposedly socializing its children into a culture revolving around crime and delinquency, anti-authority, anti-work and anti-family life.
explain 3
This shows that family diversity has a negative impact on society as it has created new family types like single parent families that socialise children into an underclass culture.
counter 3
Chester maintains that the dominant ideology which stresses the nuclear family ideal leads to negative labeling of one parent families by social agencies such as teachers, social workers, housing departments, police and courts which may result in a self fulfilling prophecy. He rejects the New Right assertion that inferior parenting is the cause of problems with children.
point 4
New rights argue that changes like The influence of feminism, Over-generous welfare benefits to single mothers and Greater tolerance of same-sex relationships has caused negative effects on society.
example 4
New rights argue The ‘fragmented family’ is no longer performing its functions effectively. It is failing to provide adequate socialisation. This can result in children and under-achieving at school and behaving in anti-social ways. In addition, over-generous welfare benefits can lead to welfare dependency off the state.
explain 4
This shows that family diversity has a negative impact on society as it has led to a breakdown in families that socialise their children properly due to factors like missing fathers.
