FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS: FAMILY DIVERSITY

Question 1

what is the functionalist view on the family diversity?

Answer 1

-Parsons (1955) sees a ‘functional fit’ between nuclear family and modern society as sees it as uniquely suited to meet needs of modern society for geographical and social mobile workforce and performing 2 ‘irreducible functions:
-primary socialisation
-stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 2

how does functionalism contribute to modern society and which type of family is best suited to perform these functions?

Answer 2

-the NUCLEAR family contributes to the stability and effectiveness of modern society.
- As the family’s ability to perform these essential functions means that we can generalise on the types of family found in modern society.
-other family structures are dysfunctional and deviant

Question 3

what is the New Right view on family diversity?

Answer 3

They agree to the functionalist view on the traditional patriarchal nuclear family as ‘ideal’ and sees the family as based on biological difference and a clear division of labour between couples.
* They see the nuclear family as the cornerstone of society and opposes change.
* They argue that the traditional nuclear family is in decline and there is a growth of family diversity.

Question 4

what reasons do the New Right have to oppose family diversity?

Answer 4

-different types of families increase social problems

Question 5

what are 3 reasons why the New Right see lone-parent families as harmful to children?

Answer 5

-welfare dependency is created
-can’t socialise their children effectively
-lack discipline on children

Question 6

Benson:

Answer 6

-Benson (2006) found that in the 1st three years of a child’s life the rate of family breakdowns are higher in cohabiting couples.
-15,000 babies (1st 3 yrs) 20% of family breakdown for cohabiting couples compared to 6% of married couples
* He argue that married couples are more stable because of the deliberate commitment they have made.

Question 7

what 2 solutions to family problems according to the New Right and Conservative politicians?

Answer 7

-only a return to ‘traditional norms’ can prevent social problems.
-remove laws encouraging diversity within the family e.g. remove welfare benefits, divorce or same-sex marriage)

Question 8

what are 5 criticisms of the New Right view of the family?

Answer 8

• Oakley (1997) argue that the New Right wrongly assumes that there is a biological difference between couples and believes that the New Right views are negative against the feminist campaigns for women’s equality.
• it’s based on patriarchy so want women to be financially dependent on men
• no evidence of lone parent children are more likely to be delinquent.
• marriage isn’t always stable and cohabitation often leads to marriage
• Smart (2011) points out that poverty causes the breakdown of relationships not family diversity

Question 9

Chester: neo-conventional family

Answer 9

-neo-conventional family is a dual-earner family where both spouses go to work and this is similar to Young and Wilmott’s idea on the symmetrical family.
-He argues that the most important change is the move from the ‘conventional family’ to the ‘neo-conventional family’.
-argues that there has been ‘some’ increased family diversity but unlike the New Right, he doesn’t regard this as significant in a negative light.

Question 10

what are 5 patterns does Chester identify to show little change to the modern family?

Answer 10

-most ppl live in households headed married couples
-most adults get married with children being ‘reared’ (taken care of) by their parents
-most marriages last till death + divorced individuals re-marry
-cohabitation has inc. but usually leads to marriage
-births outside marriage are registered with both parents still involved in the children’s upbringing

Question 11

the Rapoports: cultural diversity

Answer 11

-cultural diversity: different cultural /religious/ethnic groups which have different family structures e.g. asianfamilies which have a higher proportion of extended families

Question 12

the Rapoports: life-stage diversity

Answer 12

-family structures differs on the stage of life-cycle so things like marriage, divorce and cohabitation changes the family structure .e.g. newly weds/widows living alone

Question 13

the Rapoports: organisational diversity

Answer 13

-differences in the ways families are organised e.g. some families will have multiple wage earners while others may only have one

Question 14

the Rapoports: generational diversity

Answer 14

-diffferent generations have different attitudes and experiences e.g. morality of divorce

Question 15

the Rapoports: social-class diversity

Answer 15

-differences in children rearing between classes
-the differences in family structures are the result of income differences between households of diff. classes

Question 16

what are 2 key characteristics of postmodern society?

Answer 16

-greater diversity
-greater choice

Question 17

what impact do those 2 characteristics have on family life?

Answer 17

-more freedom within family
-more instability so there is easier access to split up the family

Question 18

Stacey:

Answer 18

-argues that greater freedom and choice have benefited women and that it has enabled them to free themselves from patriarchal oppression and that family structures have been shaped to fit needs.

Question 19

what does stacy mean by ‘divorce-extended family’ and how do they reflect postmodern view of family life?

Answer 19

-divorce-extended family= in laws, exes/ exes new family members
-so they support financially and domestically

Question 20

Beck and Giddens: individualisation thesis

Answer 20

-increased individual choice around families and relationships
-class, gender and ethnicity have lost power over us so ppl arent defined by these in the same way
-fewer fixed roles-> ‘do it yourself’ biography allows individuals to write their own life story

Question 21

what are two reasons for grater choice and equality in families and marriage?

Answer 21

according to Giddens:
-contraception:as sex and intimacy has become more than just reproduction
-feminism: women are more independent and have better opportunities

Question 22

what does these changes mean for couples today?

Answer 22

-couples can make decisions for themselves rather than being controlled by the law, societal attitudes and stigma

Question 23

what type of relationship is held together by love , happiness and attraction?

Answer 23

• the ‘pure’ relationship and this becomes apart of someone’s self identity

Question 24

why does Giddens see a pure relationship as a ‘rolling contract; ?

Answer 24

-a relationship which can end at any point to increase family diversity

Question 25

why does Giddens see same-sex couples as pioneers of new family types?

Answer 25

-same-sex couples develop a relationship based on choice rather than traditional roles= allow creation of family structures that serve the couples’ needs rather than conforming to norms
-Western: ‘families of choice’ e.g. friends

Question 26

what does Beck mean by a ‘risk society’ ?

Answer 26

-tradition has less influence so decisions are made through choice and the calculations of risk/rewards that come from it

Question 27

what are 2 social trends that have undermined the patriarchal family?

Answer 27

-greater gender equality= male domination has been challenged
-greater individualism= people are more focused on self-interests

Question 28

what is the ‘negotiated family’?

Answer 28

• according to Beck and Beck Gernsheim: they don’t conform to traditional norms
  -relationship based on negotiation and equality but has less stability

Question 29

what does Beck mean by ‘zombie family’ ?

Answer 29

-it appears the family can function well but in reality they don’t (not as well as before)
-expected to be a haven from the real world but lacks stability meaning it can’t provide that protection/ safety net

Question 30

what are 3 criticisms of the personal life perspective make on the individualisation thesis?

Answer 30

Budgeon: exaggerates choice within family but traditional norms still limit choice
-people aren’t ‘free floating’individuals so decisions and choices are based within context.
-May: ‘idealised version of a white m/c man’ so not everyone has the same freedoms

Question 31

what is the ‘connectedness thesis’ and how do Finch and Mason support this?

Answer 31

-according to Smart: we are social beings whose choices are made within a web of connectedness
-finch+mason’s study mention there are family connections and obligations that restrict freedom of choice

Question 32

what are 3 examples of gender differences in how far individuals have choices about their relationship?

Answer 32

-women and children may be more powerless to escape abusive situations
-men generally earn more=greater freedom of choice
-gender norms dictate that women should have custody of children following divorce which may limit their ability to enter new relationships

Question 33

what are examples of how structures continue to limit choice in relationships and families?

Answer 33

-May: structures aren’t disappearing, their re-shaping
-women can pursue ‘masculine’ goals but are still expected to remain feminine and heterosexual