Families- family diversity

Question 1

What is family diversity?

Answer 1

-the idea that there is not one dominant family type
-dominance of the nuclear family is being replaced by other family structures

Question 2

Perspectives on family diversity - functionalism

Answer 2

-believes that the nuclear family is functionally fit for post industrial society
-believes other family types are abnormal and do not successfully perform the required functions of the family.

-e.g - cohabitation doesn’t guarantee adequate socialisation of children

Question 3

Perspectives on family diversity - New Right

Answer 3

-they see the nuclear family with separate roles for men and women as ‘natural’ and based on biological differences between men and women

-see any other family type as bad for the people living in them and society - causes social problems

Question 4

Issues with lone parent families - New Right perspective

Answer 4

-lone mothers cannot discipline their children properly

-boys do not have a male role model- leads to educational failure and social instability - turn to crime

-lone parent families are also more likely to be poorer - burden on welfare state - coming from taxpayers money

-link to dependency culture/perverse incentives

Question 5

Bensons study on cohabitation- New Right

Answer 5

-Benson analysed data on parents of over 15,000 babies
-over first 3 years of baby’s life, rate of family breakdown was much higher among cohabiting couples than married couples
-argues couples are more stable when they are married because cohabiting couples have less commitment

Question 6

Criticisms of the New Right

Answer 6

-feminists: roles aren’t fixed by biology- men are choosing to not take part in domestic tasks
-the nuclear family is the source of female oppression and is based on patriarchy - keeps women financially dependent and New Right want this

-social class is more affective than lone parenthood in creating delinquent children

Question 7

What is the Neo-Conventional Family and how does it differ from the conventional nuclear family?
-sociologist?

Answer 7

-the sociologist Chester argues that increased family diversity is not negative or significant

-argues that the nuclear family is still dominant
-however it has moved from being conventional with a traditional division of labour to a Neo-Conventional nuclear family with dual earners/symmetrical family

-argues nuclear family still dominant due to it remaining ideal for people and people aspire to be in one

Question 8

What do the Rapoports argue about family diversity?

Answer 8

-sociologists Rhona and Robert Rapoport believe we have moved away from the traditional nuclear family to a range of different family types

-have adapted to a pluralistic society where we accept more diversity

Question 9

According to the Rapoports, what are the 5 different types of family diversity?

Answer 9

-organisational diversity - how roles are split in the family (joint/conjugal)

-cultural diversity - different ethnicities have different structures

-social class diversity - income differences

-life stage diversity - differences according to individuals life stage (eg- newlywed vs married couple with dependent children

-generational diversity - differences in values between generations (on issues like divorce or cohabitation)

Question 10

Define ‘pick and mix identities’

Answer 10

-due to diversity in cultures and lifestyles as well as rapid social change (technological), people have greater choice in what they want their identity to be
-but this brings with it greater risk of instability in relationships

Question 11

How has family diversity benefitted women? - post modernist families
-sociologist

-what are the factors that cause this change for women?

Answer 11

-Stacey argues that women have more freedom to shape family arrangement to meet their needs and free themselves from patriarchal oppression

main agents of change are:
-more women in work
-rejecting housewife role
-returning to education
-re marriage

Question 12

Define divorce extended family

Answer 12

-members connected by divorce not marriage (current wife, ex wife could be connected to discuss childcare)

Question 13

How do postmodernists argue we should study the family?

Answer 13

-focus on how people create their own family lives - a family is simply whatever arrangements those involved choose to call their family

Question 14

Define individualisation thesis
-example?
-sociologists?

Answer 14

-the idea that post modern society brings increased choice in families and relationships

-argues that in the past, people’s lives were defined by fixed roles but in society today there are fewer such certainties or fixed roles to follow
-individuals no longer need to marry and have children

-sociologists are Giddens and Beck

Question 15

What is life course analysis and what does it look to explore?
-sociologist?

Answer 15

-through unstructured interviews, it explores the meanings that individual family members give to the relationships they have and the choices they make at turning points in their lives
-less influence from the researcher

-sociologist is Hareven

Question 16

What are two ways that family life has transformed according to Giddens?

Answer 16

-more choice - contraception has allowed for sex and intimacy rather than reproduction

-gender equality - women gained independence as a result of feminism

Question 17

What is a pure relationship?
-sociologist?

Answer 17

-relationship that exists only to meet each partners needs
-Giddens argues that couples today are free to define their relationships as they wish and don’t have to follow societal roles/expectations

-eg: couples stay together now because of love/sexual attraction rather than for the sake of children

-also argues this type of relationship are less stable and is makes them more like a rolling contract than a permanent commitment

Question 18

Why does Giddens argue that same sex couples have led the way towards more equal relationships?

Answer 18

-not influenced by tradition
-relationships based on choice
-family structures serve their own needs

slay:)

Question 19

What are 2 reasons to why the traditional patriarchal family has been undermined?

Answer 19

-greater gender equality
-greater individualism - peoples actions are influenced more by own self interest rather than obligation to others

Question 20

Define the negotiated family?
-sociologist?

Answer 20

-roles vary according to wishes/needs of members - enter relationships on equal basis
-do not conform to traditional family norm
-now live in a ‘risk society’ where tradition has less influence
-argued that this type is replacing nuclear family
-sociologist is Beck

Question 21

Criticisms of the individualisation thesis

Answer 21

-exaggerates the choice people actually have - traditional norms still exist
-influenced by our upbringing and education
-ignore factors like poverty that shape choices
-connectedness thesis
-decisions about personal relationships are made out of social context

Question 22

What is the connectedness thesis?
-sociologists?
-examples?

Answer 22

-Smart and May argue that we live in networks of existing relationships and interwoven personal histories
-these strongly influence our options and choices in relationships

e.g: parents who separate remain linked by their children, often against their wishes - impossible for relationship to end

CRITICISM FOR INDIVIDUALISATION THESIS

Question 23

2 ways class/gender limits relationship choices

Answer 23

-women most likely to receive custody of child- whilst man is free to have more children and relationships, the mother is restricted in their opportunities to having new relationships

-men are generally better paid than women- gives them more freedom and choice in relationships