(Families & Households)-family diversity Flashcards
What is the functional fit according to Talcott Parsons?
The nuclear family is uniquely suited to meeting the needs of modern society for a geographically and socially mobile workforce, performing two irreducible functions: primary socialisation of children and stabilisation of adult personalities.
What is the New Right’s perspective on family diversity?
The New Right holds a conservative and anti-feminist view, opposing family diversity and advocating for the traditional nuclear family as the only correct family type.
What are the concerns of the New Right regarding lone-parent families?
They argue that lone-parent families harm children, as lone mothers cannot discipline properly and boys lack an adult male role model, leading to educational and social instability.
What did Harry Benson’s analysis reveal about cohabitation versus marriage?
Benson found that the rate of family breakdown was much higher among cohabiting couples (20%) compared to married couples (6%) over the first three years of a baby’s life.
What is the Rapoports’ view on family diversity?
Robert and Rhona Rapoport argue that family diversity is a growing trend and reflects greater freedom of choice in a pluralistic society.
What are the five types of family diversity identified by the Rapoports?
- Organisational diversity 2. Cultural diversity 3. Social class diversity 4. Life-stage diversity 5. Generational diversity.
How does Chester define the neo-conventional family?
The neo-conventional family is a dual-earner family where both spouses work, contrasting with the traditional nuclear family.
What is the individualisation thesis?
The individualisation thesis argues that traditional social structures have lost influence, allowing individuals more freedom to choose their life course.
choice and equality
What transformation in relationships does Giddens identify?
Giddens argues that relationships have become more equal due to greater choice and independence, especially for women.
What is the concept of the negotiated family according to Ulrich Beck?
The negotiated family does not conform to traditional norms but varies according to the wishes and expectations of its members, who negotiate their roles.
What is the difference between a negotiated family and the traditional patriarchal nuclear family?
A negotiated family is more equal than a patriarchal family but is less stable due to individuals being free to leave if their needs are not met.
What does the instability of negotiated families lead to?
The instability leads to greater family diversity, creating more lone-parent families, one-person households, remarriages, and so on.
What is a criticism of the individualisation thesis?
The individualisation thesis exaggerates the amount of choice people have about family relationships today.
What does Budgeon (2011) argue about the individualisation thesis?
Budgeon argues that the thesis reflects a neoliberal ideology suggesting individuals have complete freedom of choice, while traditional norms still limit relationship choices.
What important factors does the individualisation thesis ignore?
It ignores structural factors such as social class inequalities and patriarchal gender norms that limit and shape relationship choices.
What is the ‘typical’ family according to Ann Oakley?
Conventional families are nuclear families composed of legally married couples, voluntarily choosing parenthood of one or more children.
Traditionally, the husband is the main breadwinner in this type of family with the wife being mainly responsible for domestic tasks (while often being employed part-time as well).
What role does the husband typically play in a conventional family as described by Oakley?
The husband is the main breadwinner.
What role does the wife typically play in a conventional family as described by Oakley?
The wife is mainly responsible for domestic tasks, often employed part-time.
What criticism did Ann Oakley have regarding the conventional family model?
She saw it as oppressive to women.
How does the conventional family model align with functionalist views?
It is in line with the functionalist view of the ‘isolated nuclear family’ typical of modern industrial societies.
What has been suggested about the prevalence of the conventional family over recent decades?
The conventional family has become less common.
What societal change since the 1950s has undermined the male breadwinner model?
The growing employment of married women.
What do many sociologists point to regarding family forms?
The increasing diversity of family forms.
Fill in the blank: Ann Oakley described conventional families as composed of _______.
[legally married couples]
