Family Diversity Flashcards
Modernism’s view on the nuclear family
-Functionalism & New right tame this viewpoint- see modern society as fairly fixed, clear-cut and predictable structure.
-Nuclear family is the ‘best’ type to perform essential functions for them
Functionalist view of nuclear family
-Parsons: ‘functional fit’ between mod society & nuc fam, to meet the needs of the geographically & socially mobile workforce.
-It performs ‘irreducible functions’: P socialisation kids & Stab of adult pers
Therefore see other types as dysfunctional/abnormal
New right view on the nucleur family
-Conservative, anti-feminist persp on the family.Firmly oppose family diversity
-Only ‘normal’ family is the trad conventional patriarchal nuclear family (clear cut division of labour between husband & wife based on biology)
-The corner stone of society: refuge, contentment, harmony
What do the new right oppose?
-Most changes in the family patterns we have looked at, gay, cohabit ect
-Argue the decline of trad nuclear family/growth of diversity are the cause of many social problems
Which particular family type are the new right especially concerned with?
-growth of the LPF, see them as harmful to children because
-LPM can’t discipline children properly
-LPF leave boys without an adult male RM, edu failure, delinquency
-More likely poorer, burden to state welfare and taxpayers
Benson (main cause of LPF)
-analysed 15,000 babies parents -found in first 3yrs of the babies lives…
-Rate of family breakdown much higher among cohabitating couples (20%-6% married couples)
-NR: only marriage can provide a stable env to raise children, Requires a deliberate commitment to each other, whereas cohabitation allows partner to avoid commitment & responsibility
What evidence have new right thinkers used to support the view that both the family & society are ‘broken’
-Only a return to trad values, including the value of marriage, can prevent social disintegration and damage to children
-They regard laws & policies ie easy access to divorce, gay marriage, widespread availability of benefits as undermining the conventional family
-Benson argues that gov needs to encourage couples to marry by means of policies that support marriage
Feminists criticism of the new right?
-Oakley: NR wrongly assumes husbands & wives roles are fixed by biology. Cross-cultural studies show great variations in the roles M & W perform in the family-she believes NR view is a negative reaction against the feminist campaign for women’s equality.
-Nuclear familys based on patriarchal oppression of W & fundamental cause of G inequality- prevents W working, keeps them financially dependent on M & denied equal say in decision-making
Further critiques of New Right
-No evidence that children in lone-parent families are more likely to be delinquent than two-parent homes in same social class
-The NR view that marriage equals commitment, while cohabitation doesn’t has been challenged (meanings)
-Smart: cohabitation higher among poorer social groups- points out poverty may be causes of breakdowns of relationships-not decisions
Chester: the neo-conventional family
-Recognises there’s been some increased family diversity in recent years-however unlike NR doesn’t regard this as very significant nor negative
-Only important change is a move from dominance of the conv nucleur family, to neo-conventional family (other than this sees no evidence of other major changes)
what’s the conventional family
Nuclear family described by NR and Parsons, with its division of labour between male BW and female HM
What is the neo conventional family
-A dual earner family, both spouses go to work not just husband. Similar to Y&W symmetrical family.
What does chester argue remains the ideal family
-Like functionalists sees the nuclear family as dominant, although many aren’t part of one, C says this is due to the life cycle ie were part of one in the past (divorcees, young ppl ect) or will be in the future
-Important difference to Funct: C sees change from conv to neo-c
Why are statistics on household composition misleading?
Only show a snapshot of a single moment in time. Don’t show fact that majority spend most their time in a nucfam
ie…
-Most households headed by married couple
-Most married adults have children
-Most marriages continue until death-divorce increased but most remarry
What do the Rapoports argue?
-Unlike chester: argue diversity is of central importance in understanding family life today- moved from dominant trad to a range of types as they have adapted to pluralistic society (more diverse lifestyle/cultures) to the, it reflects greater freedom of choice & acceptance of other cultures
How does the Rapoports views differ from the New right?
-See diversity as a positive response to people difference needs and wishes- not as abnormal/deviation from assumed norms of proper nucfam.
What are the 5 different types of family diversity in Britain (Rapoports)
-Organisational Diveristy: differences in ways family roles are organised. eg some couples have joint CR & 2 wage earners-other segregated CJ & 1 wage-earner
-Cultural diversity: different cultures, religious and ethnic groups have diff family structures eg higher prop of F-headed LPF among African-C fams
-Social Class diversity: Differences in structures partly result of income differences, eg childrearing patterns
-Life-stage Diversity: structures differ according to stage reached in life cycle eg young newlyweds w/ dependent kids, retired w/ grown kids ect
-Generational diversity: Older & younger gens have different attitudes/experiences that reflect historical periods eg views abt morality of divorce
Postmodernism view of family diversity (2 key characteristics)
-Since late 20th cent, society has two key characteristics since entering a postmodern society
-Diversity&Fragmentation: with greater diversity of cultures/lifestyles =a collection of subcultures than a single culture shared. Ppl ‘pick and mix’ their identities now eg subcultures, sexuality, social movements ect
-Rapid social change: New tech & media have dissolved old barriers of time & space- transformed work/leisure patterns and accelerated change. Makes life less predictable
Family therefore less stable, but more personal choice abt relationships-families therefore more diverse, so cannot generalise abt it like modernists (Parsons)
