Divorce Pt.2: Lesson 28

Question 1

Key points on modernity

Answer 1

• Encourages consumer culture & increased choice
• Diversity of family types men’s individuals can choose the kind of relationships they want
• Dating apps = shopping for relationships

Question 2

Key points on individualism

Answer 2

• Men & women expected to work & pursue career ambitions which could be source of conflict contributing to marital breakdown
• Combination of individualism & consumer society encourages individuals to pursue perfect relationship

Question 3

What is Individualisation thesis?

Answer 3

• Traditional social structures such as family, and the norms associated with them have lost their influence over individuals
• Individuals in modern society less influence coed by traditions
• As a consequence relationships have become more fragile

Question 4

What did Giddens 1992 say about Modernity & Individualism?

Answer 4

• Individuals seek pure relationship
• Parties aim to satisfy needs rather than stay as they have a duty to or for the children
• Individuals leave & enter relationships in pursuit of pure relationship leading to increased divorce rates

Question 5

What does Beck 1992 say about Modernity & Individualism?

Answer 5

• Individuals no longer dictated by social norms
• Traditional patriarchal family structure has been undermined by individualism
• Led to negotiated families
• Relationships now formed on equal basis

Question 6

What is the Personal Life Perspective?

Answer 6

• Postmodernism
• Critical of Functionalists, Marxists & Feminism as they’re structural & ignore increased diversity of family types
• Argues we should study families & households from individuals perspectives and how these shape relationships

Question 7

What type of theory is the Personal Life Perspective?

Answer 7

• Interpretive
• Micro, bottom up approach

Question 8

What do the Personal Life Perspective believe?

Answer 8

• Meaning of family’s changed, now there’s a wider view of family e.g pets & dead relatives
• Increased choice in creating families
• Some people may emphasise social relationships as family and not genetics

Question 9

What did Smart 2011 say about Postmodernism & Divorce?

Answer 9

• Divorce can cause social problems e.g financial & emotional distress for children
• Despite this it’s been normalised
• Agrees with Giddens & Beck on greater family diversity but critical on individualisation theory
  
  • Overemphasis amount of choice & freedom people have
  • Ignores role of structural factors & inequalities e.g patriarchy & social class, play in relationship choices

Question 10

What is Smarts Connectedness thesis?

Answer 10

• People aren’t independent individuals who have absolute freedom of choice over their lives
• Web of connectedness has huge influence on decision making process when choosing relationships