Couples

Question 1

Traditional life

Answer 1

Allan n crow
Until 1960 fairly normal life course was followed where individuals would get married, live together, have children

Levin - “cereal packet families”
Life course was compulsory due to the strong social norms of society that encouraged this method,

Question 2

Family changes

Answer 2

Lewis
Modern society= more freedom and less moral code so people are more free to create the family of their choice.

Gabb
Relationships outside of the family such as friendships have become more significant and can affect family relationships

Question 3

Individualisation thesis (causes of family changes)

Answer 3

Bauman
Due to changes in the world and increased individualisation kinship has weakened people are constantly searching for security. To find security we are more likely to look for new ways of life

Beck- gernsheim
Traditional social relationships, bonds and beliefs that used to strongly regulate people have lost meaning, this has been caused by contraception, growing equality for women, growing expectation female relationships

Question 4

Confluent love and pure relationship (causes of family changes)

Answer 4

Beck-gernsheim
Love rather then practicality, previously people would marry to gain something eg. Social position, land, house. This no longer occurs as much as people now marry if they love someone

Giddens
Move away from romantic to confluent love. Confluent love is active and conditional, built actively by building trust and understanding between partners. Where people choose to stay together as they meet each others needs

Chambers
Pure relationships (when people meet each others needs) are not always forever. People do not always make long term commitments anymore due to less social powers eg. Society, religion or parents

Question 5

Evaluation to changes of family

Answer 5

Smart
Individualisation thesis exaggerates the extent of family decline as people’s family ties still involve strong social bonds, people r still controlled by external rules and pressures so can’t make big chances

Chambers
Cereal packet families may have declined but people are not free to do what they want as many are still committed to traditional values of personal life

Question 6

Changes to the family

Answer 6

Young and Wilmot
1950’s segregated conjugal roles
1970’s integrated conjugal roles
Causes of change, greater educational and job opportunities, women started contributing to economy

‘The new man’ - linked to greater equality

Question 7

Changes to family roles

Answer 7

Improved living standards, weaker gender identities, commercialisation of housework, improved status and rights for women, increased number of women in paid work

Question 8

No changes to family roles

Answer 8

Biology, familial and patriarchal ideology, the ideology of motherhood and fatherhood, gender socialisation of children