Family Diversity Flashcards
What does Parsons argue about the functional fit of the nuclear family?
The nuclear family meets the needs of modern society through providing a geographically mobile and socially mobile workforce.
What two functions does the nuclear family provide?
Primary socialisation of children and stabilisation of adult personalities
What do the new right argue about the instrumental and expressive roles?
That they are essentials for the stability of society- the family is a place of refuge, contentment and harmony.
What do the new right argue about single mothers?
They cannot discipline their children properly. They are a burden on the welfare state and they leave males without an adult male role model
What do the new right regard cohabitation and divorce as?
They create family instability by making it easier for adults to avoid commitment and responsibility.
What are some criticisms of the new right?
They ignore the positive aspects of family diversity
Chester- the nuclear family is still dominant- modern- changes have been minor
What does Chester argue?
That changes have only been minor and that the basic features of family life have remained unchanged for the vast majority of the British population since WW2.
How does a snapshot of household types not provide a valid picture?
Because life cycles make it inevitable that at any one time some people will not be a member of a nuclear family household.
What is Chester’s neo-conventional family?
The neo-conventional family is a dual- earner family- women are increasingly making a contribution to household finances by taking paid employment.
What are the Rapoports 5 types of diversity?
Organisational, Cultural, Social Class, Life-Stage, and Generational
What is organisational diversity?
There different types of family structure, household types, parents of kinship network and differences in the division in labour.
What is cultural diversity?
The difference in lifestyle families of different ethnic origins and different religious groups. Differences between Asians, Western Indians, and Cypriot origin. E.g., higher proportion of female headed families among African/ Caribbean households.
What is Social Class diversity?
Differences in family structure as a result of differences between households of different classes.
What is life-stage diversity?
Differences that result from the stage in the life cycle of the family. Neely married couples without children may have a different family life to those with dependent children.
What is generational diversity?
Older and younger generations have different attitudes and experiences that reflect the historical periods in which they have lived.
What do postmodernists reject?
The idea that there is one best family type or that the families structure shapes its members behaviour.
What two facts to modernists ignore?
As individual actors we make choices about our family and relationships
We nor have much greater choice about personal relationships which has increased family diversity
What does postmodernist Cheal argue?
That we no longer live in the modern work with its predictable and orderly structures.
What is in a post-modern society?
Family structures are fragmented and individuals have more choice in their lifestyles, personal r/ships and family arrangements
How does Heaven (1798) use life course analysis?
To understand family life and to examine how family members make their choices. This starts from the idea that there is a flexibility and variation in people’s family lives.
What does life course analysis focus on?
The meanings people give to these life events and choices.
What does Stacey argue?
That greater choice had empowered women and enabled them to free themselves from the patriarchal obsession that exists.
What is the divorce-extended family?
Where the members are connected by divorce rather than marriage.
According to Weeks, what long term shifts have happened in attitude?
Sexual morality has become personal choice
Church/state has lost influencer on people
More acceptance of family diversity
Attitudes more favourable of cohabitation and homosexuality
