Families and Households - Globalisation and Family Life

Question 1

What are the six effects of globalisation affecting family life?

Answer 1

• Increased uncertainty
• Greater gender equality
• Increased global inequality
• Globalisation of media
• increased migration
• Increased trade and economic growth

Question 2

How does globalisation lead to greater uncertainty?

Answer 2

Greater awareness of global politics makes people fear conflict (such as the rise of the far right in Europe) more and it is perceived that more interdependent economies leads to greater economic uncertainty (such as with the Global Economic Recession in 2008)

Question 3

What are two positive effects greater uncertainty has on family life?

Answer 3

• Giddens - Pure relationship: people are seeking more fulfilling relationships and are less likely to settle if they are unhappy
• Beck - Negotiated family: Members of families are now able to negotiate to get their needs fulfilled

Question 4

What are two negative effects greater uncertainty has on family life?

Answer 4

• More divorces: current rate (120,000) is 6x 1961 (20,000)
• Less kids: people don’t want to have children in a society where they feel their futures are uncertain, current TFR (1.4) less than half 1961 (2.95)

Question 5

How has globalisation led to greater gender equality?

Answer 5

Trends in more powerful countries (such as the US) spread/are spread to other countries. Additionally, as international markets become more competitive, having a significant portion of your population at an employment disadvantage isn’t smart.

Question 6

What are two positive effects greater gender equality has on family life?

Answer 6

• More equality in domestic division of labour: Young and Willmott and March of Progress
• More women in the workforce: 53% in 1971 to 67% in 2013

Question 7

What are two negative effects greater gender equality has on family life?

Answer 7

• Less children: TFR is 1.4, we’re running out of people
• Changing gender roles: crisis of masculinity

Question 8

How has globalisation led to greater global inequality?

Answer 8

Corporations are more able to exploit those in poorer nations with less labour laws which benefits other nations.

Question 9

What is one positive effect of increasing global inequality has on family life?

Answer 9

Could ameliorate poverty in richer countries: Manchesterism and cheaper goods

Question 10

What are two negative effects of increasing global inequality on family life?

Answer 10

• Increasing divide between the rich and poor: top 1% in the US hold 32.3% of capital, bottom 50% hold 2.6%
• Exploitation becomes easier: Cobalt mines in Congo and mega corporations

Question 11

How does globalisation affect media?

Answer 11

Greater communication between different nations and more shared technology so more advancement

Question 12

What are two positive effects of the globalisation of media on family life?

Answer 12

• More information = more radicalization of the young: protests against the Iraq War
• Less lonely: global friendship networks online

Question 13

What are two negative effects of the globalization of media on family life?

Answer 13

• Easier to indoctrinate: the Alt Right pipeline
• Technology: more Toxic Childhood and damaged developments

Question 14

How has globalisation led to increased migration?

Answer 14

Technology advancements have made it easier and more possible for people to move, people are also more aware of places with jobs or that are safe.

Question 15

What are two positive impacts of increased migration on family life?

Answer 15

• Family diversity: more extended families (Indians) and boomerang families (Italians)
• More children: TFR of non-UK born women is 2; for UK born women, it is 1.5

Question 16

What are two negative impacts of increased immigration on family life?

Answer 16

• Stigma: immigrant families will face prejudice (especially currently) so children will be affected.
• More LATs: less close families

Question 17

How does globalisation lead to increased trade and economic growth?

Answer 17

Countries trade goods that are produced geographically and can produce good for a lower cost in Low Income Countries.

Question 18

What are two positive effects of increased trade and economic growth on family life?

Answer 18

• More jobs so less poor families: EU created 3-4 million more jobs
• Higher life expectancy = more single people: Giddens pure relationship

Question 19

What are two negative effects of increased trade and economic growth on family life?

Answer 19

• Greater Wealth disparity = more beanpole families: top 20% in the UK make 7x more than bottoms 20%
• Fewer children: £227,000 to raise a kid