1.4 Postmodernism

Question 1

Two social changes associated with postmodernity…

Answer 1

—> Diversity and fragmentation – Society is increasingly fragmented, with a broad diversity of subcultures rather than one shared culture. People create their identity from a wide range of choices, such as youth subcultures, sexual preferences and social movements such as environmentalism.

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As a result of these social changes, family life has become very diverse and there is no longer one dominant family type = This means that it is no longer possible to make generalisations about society in the same way that modernist theorists such as Parsons or Marx did in the past.

Question 2

Criticisms of Postmodern Views on the Family

Answer 2

Contemporary Feminists disagree with Postmodernism, pointing out that in most cases traditional gender roles which disadvantage women remain the norm.

Question 3

Stacey’s view of the family

Answer 3

Greater freedom and choice has benefitted women enabling them to free themselves from patriarchal oppression and shape their family arrangements around what works for them and their needs.