FAMILY DIVERSITY Flashcards
MODERNISATION and the NUCLEAR FAMILY
MODERNISATION and the NUCLEAR FAMILY: NEW RIGHT
NEW RIGHT upholds a CONSERVATIVE, ANTI-FEMINIST perspective of the family and are FIRMLY OPPOSED to FAMILY DIVERSITY. Similarly to FUNCTIONALISTS, the NEW RIGHT sees there is only ONE CORRECT FAMILY TYPE: the TRADITIONAL PATRIARCHAL NUCLEAR FAMILY (consisting of a married couple and their dependent children with a clear division of labour). To the NEW RIGHT this is based on FUNDAMENTAL BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES between MEN and WOMEN. Because they view the FAMILY as the CORNERSTONE OF SOCIETY, any changes to the FAMILY PATTERN (cohabitation, same-sex marriage, lone parenthood etc) is OPPOSED. Ultimately, they see the DECLINING NUCLEAR FAMILY and the GROWTH of FAMILY DIVERSITY has brought about MANY SOCIAL PROBLEMS. Particularly concerned with the GROWTH of LONE PARENTHOOD, the NEW RIGHT suggests LONE MOTHERS fail to ADEQUATELY discipline their children and LONE PARENTS leave BOYS without POSITIVE ADULT MALE ROLE MODELS resulting in EDUCATIONAL FAILURE, DELINQUENCY and SOCIAL INSTABILITY.
Furthermore, the NEW RIGHT suggests the MAIN CAUSE of LONE PARENT FAMILIES is the COLLAPSING RELATIONSHIP of COHABITING COUPLES. It was found within the FIRST THREE YEARS of a baby’s life, the rate of FMAILT BREAKDOWN was much HIGHER in COHABITING COUPLES compared to MARRIED. The NEW RIGHT concludes only MARRIAGE can provide a STABLE ENVIRONMENT to bring up children. BENSON argues COUPLES are MORE STABLE when MARRIED, as it requires DELIBERATE COMMITMENT, whereas COHABITATION allows partners to EVADE COMMITMENT and RESPONSIBILTY.NEW RIGHT thinkers and CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS have utilised this to suggest RETURNING to ‘TRADIITONAL VALUES’: including that of MARRIAGE, can PREVENT SOCIAL DISINTEGRATION and DAMAGE to children. They further see LAWS and POLICIES such as EASY ACCESS TO DIVORCE, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE and the AVAILABILITY OF WLEFARE BEENFITS as UNDREMINING the CONVENTIONAL FAMILY.
CRITICISM of the NEW RIGHT
OAKLEY criticises the NEW RIGHT, suggesting it WRINGLY ASSUMES HUSBANDS and WIVES’ ROLES are FIXED by BIOLOGY. CROSS CULTURAL STUDIES comparatively suggest GREAT VARAITION in the ROLES MEN and WOMEN PERFORM in the family. OAKLEY concludes the NEW RIGHT’s view of the family is a NEGATIVE REACTION AGAINST FEMINIST CAMPAIGNS for GENDER EQUITY, its favour of the TRADITIONAL NUCLEAR FAMILY is based on the OPPRESSION OF WOMEN and is FUNDAMENTAL cause of GENDER INEQUALITY, PREVENTING WOMEN FROM WOKRING, keeping them FINANCIALLY dependent on men, denying them equality in decision making.
NEO-CONVENTIONAL FAMILY
CHESTER recognises increased FAMILY DIVERSITY, however he does not regard this as SIGNIFICANT or NEAGTIVE. To him the IMPORTANT CHANGE is the MOVE from the HEGEMONIC TRADITIONAL NUCLEAR FAMILY to what he describes as the ‘NEO-CONVENTIONAL FAMILY’. A DUAL EARNER FAMILY in which BOTH SPOUSES WORK, this is similar to the SYMMETRICAL FAMILY described by WILLMOTT and YOUNG. CHESTER furthers that most people are NOT CHOOSING to be in ALTERNATIVE FAMILY STRUCTURES (LONE PARENT FAMILIES) on a LONG TERM BASIS, and the NUCLEAR FAMILY remains the IDEAL to which most ASPIRE. He concludes the EXTENT and IMPORTANCE of FAMILY DIVERSITY has been EXAGGERATED.
FIVE TYPE of FAMILY DIVERSITY
RAPOPORT and RAPOPORT argue diversity is central to understand families today. We have moved from the traditional nuclear family as the dominant family type. Families have adapted to a PLURALISTIC SOCIETY- cultures and lifestyles are more diverse. FAMILY DIVERSITY is a reflection of GREATER CHOICES OF FREEDOM and the ACCEPTANCE of DIFFFERENT CULTURES. Unlike the NEW RIGHT the RAPOPORTS view DIVERSITY as a POSITIVE response to people’s needs and not as ADNORMAL.
GENERATIONAL: older and younger gens have different attitudes that reflect the historical period they lived eg view on homosexuality
LIFE STAGE: family structures change due to the stage reached in the life cycle eg couple with dependent children
ORGANISATIONAL: differences in the way family roles are organised eg some have separated conjugal roles and one wage earner
CULTURAL: different cultures, religious and ethnic group have different family structures eg CARIBBEAN households have the HIGHEST PROPORTION of WOMEN LED SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES
SOCIAL CLASS: income differences result in result in different family structures
POST MODERNISM and FAMILY DIVERSITY
