Family Diversity Flashcards
1
Q
What is functionalists view of the nuclear family?
A
- The nuclear family fits the needs of a modern society as they are performing 2 reduced functions
- The familys ability to perform eseential functions means we can generalise about the type of family in a modern society
- Other family types are dysfunctional, abnormal and deviant
- Parsons argues that the nuclear family enables the workforce in modern society to be geographically and socially movile. This is because it is easier to move and status is achieved based on ability
2
Q
What is modernism?
A
- Society is fixed, rigid and predictable which is proposed by the perspectives (Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, New Right)
3
Q
Why is family diversity bad according to functionalists?
A
- The nuclear family is stable and needed for social order and harmony
- Family diversity disrupts the traditional functions of the family which leads to instability
4
Q
What is New Right’s view of the nuclear family?
A
- They are conservative and firmly opposed to family diversity
- They believe the one correct family type is the traditional patriarchal nuclear family with a clear cut division of labour
5
Q
Why is family diversity bad according to New Right?
A
- Familys such as lone parent families are detrimental to society as boys lack a male role model which causes deviant behaviours, values and inadequate socialisation which creates the underclass
6
Q
What do New Rights believe about lone parent families?
A
- Lone mothers cannot discipline their children and have no adult male role model. They believe a lack of role model teaches lack of respect for authority
- Lone mothers are dependent on the welfare state. However, this is overzealous as not every lone mother is poor
7
Q
What do New Rights theorists believe about cohabitation?
A
- Threatens marriage as it is not as committed undermining the nuclear family
8
Q
What is a cereal packet family?
A
- These ideas are extremely influential and have established the notion that the nuclear family is the normal and ideal type of family
- A functionalist concept which argues that the idealised version of the family is the nuclear family of mother, father an two children. This is an idea based on the 1950s version of the family and household, ignoring the fact that the families have changed in structure and diversity.
9
Q
What is criticisms of the New Right?
A
- There is no evidence to show children in lone parent families are more likely to be deviant
- Their views on cohabiting couples are flawed as they ignore that many couples will marry
- They are not fixed biological differences but socially constructed
- The patriarchal traditional nuclear family is based on patriarchal oppression
10
Q
What does Chester argue about family diversity?
A
- Chester argues that there has been family diversity however it is not negative and it is still dominant
- He argues most people do not choose a lone parent family and many aspire for the nuclear family
- The conventional family is the nuclear family
- The neo-conventional family is a dual earner family with both spouses working
11
Q
What is the family life cycle according to Chester?
A
- The family life cycle is the way familys change through life stages
- People who are not part of the nuclear family are not in it because of the family life cycle
12
Q
What is the life course according to Chester?
A
- Family diversity is also inevitable because of the life course which is focused around how an individual’s life should unfold
- A change in the life course means that individuals are no longer following traditional expectations for their life courses
13
Q
What are the five patterns to support the little change in family diversity according to Chester?
A
- Most people live in a household headed by a married couple.
- Most adults marry and have children. Most children are reared by their two natural parents.
- Most marriages continue until death. Divorce has increased, but most divorcees remarry.
- Cohabitation has increased, but for most couples it’s a temporary phase before marrying or remarrying. Most couples get married, if they have children.
- Although births outside marriage have increased, most are jointly registered, indicating that the parents are committed to bringing up the children as a couple.
14
Q
Is Chester an evaluation?
A
- He argues diversity is overexaggerated and not an issue
- Agrees with functionalists that the nuclear family is dominant
- Difference between Functionalism is that both spouses should play an instrumental role
- Chester is realistic combining traditional values with a contemporary society
15
Q
What do the Rapoports argue about family diversity?
A
- Family diversity has greatly increased and important in society
- Families have adapted to a pluralistic society where cultures are diverse
- Family diversity reflects greater reedom and widespread acceptance of cultures
- Diversity is a positive response to people’s needs and not abnormal
- The nuclear family is no longer dominant
16
Q
What are the five types of family diversity according to the Rapoports? (CLOGS)
A
- Organisational = The way roles are organised
- Cultural = Different religions and cultures
- Social Class = Difference due to income
- Life Stage = Dufference in life stage
- Generational = Differences due to older and younger generations having different attitudes
17
Q
What do post modernists argue about family diversity?
A
- We are not bound by societal structures therefore greater diversity and choice
- Cheal argues that there is no longer one single dominant stable family type
- Family structures have become fragmented as individuals have more choice which has led to greater family diversity and less predictability
18
Q
What does Stacey argue about postmodern families?
A
- Greater freedom and choice has benefitted women and enabled them to free themselves from patriarchal oppression and create families that benefit their needs
- Stacey conducted life history interviews where women were the reason for changes in family
- Women rejected the housewife role and chose varied life paths
- Stacey identified the divorce-extended family as members are connected by divorce rather than marriage which is characterised by choice
- This benefits women as it provides them additional help from their divorce-extended family such as childcare
- Postmodern families are diverse and shaped by active choice
19
Q
What does Morgan argue about family practices?
A
- Generalisations cannot be made about the family as family is not a concrete thing or structure
- Family practices describes how we create our sense of being a family member
- ## He argues that family has become less clear cut and the boundaries are blurred due to a fragmented society
20
Q
What is Hareven’s Life Course Analysis?
A
- Using unstructured interviews, it explores the meaning that family members give their relationships and the choices they have regarding familya rrangements
- Recognises that there is flexibility and variation
21
Q
What is the individulisation thesis?
A
- Giddens and Beck explore the increasing individual choice with their families and relationships
- They argue that traditional social structures have lost their influence over us, individuals have more choice over their lives
- We have become disembedded from traditional roles which leaves us with more freedom of how to live our lives
22
Q
What does Giddens argue about the family?
A
- Giddens argues that family has been transformed by greater choice and equal relationships. This transformation has occured due to contraception and feminism
- He argued the concept of pure relationships which exists solely to meet the partners needs and love which creates family diversity as people are not trapped in a nuclear family but instead for love
- This means that there is more likely to be serial monogamy and people do not stay in the same relationship for life
23
Q
What is a risk society according to Beck?
A
- We live in a risk society where traditions have little influence and lives are now characterised by choice. This also means we are aware of the risks which develops a risk consciousness
- Beck argues that family diversity is not a matter of choice but people are reflexive based on the risk of choices and then make choices about family based on that
- Personal decisions are informed by what they see going on in society leading to greater family diversity
24
Q
What is the negotiated family?
A
- The risk society contrasts with modern society with stable nuclear family and gender roles
- The stability has been changed by two things
1. Greater gender equality
2. Greater individualism - This has created the negotiated family who do not conform to family norms but vary based on wishes and expectations. They enter on an equal basis
25
What is the zombie family?
- Today's uncertain risk society makes people turn to their family for stability however relationships are at greater risk and uncertainty than ever before so they cannot provide this
- People want a haven of security in an insecure world but the family cannot provide this
- The family appears to be alive but in reality it is dead
26
What do PLP sociologists argue about family diversity?
- Carol Smart and Vanessa May
- They agree that there is more family diversity however they criticise the individualisation thesis
1. It exaggerates how much choice people have
2. It ignores that choices are made within a social context so they are not independent
3. It ignores structural factors such as class and gender
- May argues that it is an idealised version of a white middle class man as not everyone has the same privileged choice
27
What is the connectedness thesis?
- This argues that we have choice but they are made within a web of connectedness and influenced by our existing relationships
- Smart and May argue that it is impossible for relationships to simply end
- Gender and class structure limit out choices
Eg. Heteronormativity limits our choice as it limits diversity and aligns with heterosexual attraction
