3⃣ Theories Of The Family 5) Postmodernist And The Family

Question 0

Why doe postmodernist disagree with the three features that marxist and functionalism have in common

Answer 0

⚫️from late 20th century
➡️society began to move into postmodern phase
➡fundamentally new type of society

Question 1

What are the three features, that marxism and functionalism have in common

Answer 1

⚫️structural theories
➡️they see ️modern society
➡️as having a clear out, predictable structure

⚫️see one particular family type
➡️nuclear family
➡️fitting the structure
➡️and performing important functions for it

⚫️this means
➡️we can generalise about
➡️type of family to be found in modern society

Question 2

What are the new two key features that the postmodernist society identified

Answer 2

⚫️fragmentation of cultures and lifestyles

⚫️rapid change

Question 4

Describe fragmentation of cultures and lifestyles

Answer 4

⚫️individuals now have more choice
➡️freer to construct their identitirss and lifestyles as they wish
➡️so society now
➡️more a collection 
➡️of different subcultures
➡️rather than 
➡️single shared cultures
➡️described by functionalists

Question 5

Describe the post modernist view on rapid changes on family

Answer 5

⚫️made life less
➡️predictable and orderly

➡️new technology and the media
➡️break down existing barriers of time and space
➡️and transform work and leisure patterns

Question 6

Describe how postmodernist believe family has opened up more choices

Answer 6

⚫️about intimate relationships and domestic arrangements

➡️e.g
➡️individuals can choose to
➡️cohabit, divorce, have children outside marriage, gay, live alone etc

➡️the result of this greater choice
➡️is greater family diversity

➡️means no longer possible to generalise about family life
➡️in the way modernist sociologist have done

Question 7

Give a negative evaluation of postmodernist view of a variety of family type

Answer 7

⚫️people are not always free to make choices
➡️domestic violence
➡️low pay
➡️restrict women’s options