Family Diversity - 2.7 Flashcards
Modernism and NF Key Sociologists
> Parsons (Functional Fit)
> New Right (View on Family Diversity)
> Benson’s (New Right view on Cohabitation and LPF)
> Benson (New Right view on what needs to change in the Family)
> Chester (Neo-Conventional Family & Life Cycle)
> Rapoport (View on Family Diversity and 5 Types)
Explain Parsons Idea of the Functional Fit
> Conventional NF with TDDOL
> Based on biological diff vs men & women, suited to need of industrial society & for family members.
> Alt family types are dysfunctional as they can’t perform functions needed.
New Right View on Family Diversity
> Opposed to family diversity
> Believe only 1 right family = NF
> NF is natural, based on biological difference VS men & women.
> Other families are unnatural and produce social problems e.g. LPF lack male role model
> Leading to dependency culture and delinquency.
Benson’s New Right view on Cohabitation and LPF
> Root of LPF is breakdown of relationships w/ cohabiting couples
> During early years of baby’s life rate of family breakdown was higher in cohabiting couples vs married which is more stable.
New Right view on what needs to change in the Family
> Value of marriage needs to be emphasised will prevent social disintegration & damage to children.
> Laws e.g. access to divorce & benefits undermines NF.
Benson New Right view on what needs to change in the Family
Gov needs to introduce benefits for married couples, encouraging marriage
A03 Modernism Key Sociologists
> Oakley (View on Gender Roles)
> Feminist (View on NR opposition to Diversity)
How does Oakley criticise the New Right view on Family Diversity?
Gender Roles aren’t natural but social constructed.
How do Feminists criticise the New Right view?
NR opposition to diversity, justifies patriarchal oppression, causing gender inequality
Explain the General Criticisms of the New Right view on the Family
> No proof kids from LPF of same class more likely to be delinquent than those in NF.
> Idea Marriage = commitment & cohabitation doesn’t is wrong, some see it as long term alt to marriage.
> Ppl may chose to cohabit, due to poverty, rather than not wanting to marry.
What is the NCF?
DEF both spouses go out work similar to symmetrical family
What is Chesters view on Neo-Conventional Family & Life Cycle (NCF)? (1)
> Despite increased diversity, NF’s still dominant
> Only vital change’s move from conventional NF to NCF
> NF remains norm, most ppl desire, most ppl marry & have kids.
> Cohabitation has increased but for most it’s temp phase.
What is Chesters view on Neo-Conventional Family & Life Cycle (NCF)? (2)
> Most divorcees remarry, those not in NF, have been or will.
> Household stats are misleading don’t show most will spend most of their lives in NF.
> Extent of family diversity is exaggerated.
Explain Rapport’s view on Family Diversity
> See diversity is central to family today, meeting ppl’s needs
> Positive not abnormal
What are the 5 types of Family Diversity Rapport outlined?
> 1. Organisational Diversity > 2. Cultural Diversity > 3. Social Class Diversity > 4. Life Stages Diversity > 5. Generational Diversity
Define Organisational Diversity, in relation to 5 types of Family Diversity Rapport outlined
> Diff ways family roles are organised
> Some couples have joint conjugal roles, dual earners, others have segregated conjugal roles, one wage earners etc.
Define Cultural Diversity in relation to 5 types of Family Diversity Rapport outlined
> Diff cultural, religious & ethnic groups have diff family structures
> e.g. High NO of Afro Caribbean Households are LPF
> High NO of Asian families are EF
Define Social Class Diversity in relation to 5 types of Family Diversity Rapport outlined
> Differences vs WC & MC e.g in way kids are socialised e.g. MC more pro-school & WC unconcerned
> WC likely to be dispersed EF’s w/ relatives living close. MC likely to be isolated.
Define Life Stages Diversity, in relation to 5 types of Family Diversity Rapport outlined
> Family structures differ based on stage reached in the life cycle
> e.g. Young newly-weds, couples w/ dependent kids vs retired couples whose kids have grown up & left home.
Define Generational Diversity, in relation to 5 types of Family Diversity Rapport outlined
> Older & younger gen have diff views and experiences, reflecting historical periods which they’ve lived
> e.g. diff views on SSC and Divorce.
In postmodern society, what is the reason for Family Diversity
> greater individualism & choice.
Post-Modernism and NF Key Sociologists
> Stacey (Postmodern Families & Divorce EF) > Morgan (Postmodernism) > Giddens (Individualisation) > Giddens (SSC Relationships) > Weston (SSC Families) > Weeks (SSC Families) > Beck (Negotiated Family) > Beck (Zombie Family) > Smart (Connectedness Thesis) > Finch and Mason - (Study of EF in relation to Connectedness Thesis) > May (Power Structures)
Explain Stacey’s view on Postmodern Families and DEF?
> More freedom & choice has benefited women, to be free from patriarchal oppression & shape relationships to meet their needs.
> Women are main reason for changes in the family, rejeting domestic role
> Freedom to return to education & having careers etc.
> Identified “divorce-extended family” – members connected by divorce not marriage e.g. ex-in-laws, or ex husband’s new partner.
What is Morgan’s view on Postmodernism?
> Pointless generalising about family like Structuralists
> Family is arrangements of who we decide to call family.
Explain Giddens Idea of Indivualisation explaining the Diversity of Families?
> NF been undermined by individualism.
> We’ve got more freedom over lives, due to gender equality.
> Changes influenced pure relationship, existing to satisfy each partners needs, not 4 duty tradition or kids.
> Last as long as their interests do.
> Due to intro of contraception allowing sex for intimacy & female independence, makes relationship less stable
Explain Giddens findings on SSC Relationships
> In SSC relationships traditional roles don’t exist.
> They’ve created equal families of choice, to serve their personal needs not influenced by tradition.
How does Weston support Gidden’s view on SSC?
SSC create families of choice w/ friends, lovers & biological kin.
How does Weeks support Gidden’s view on SSC?
In SSC, friendship networks, act as kinship networks.
Explain Beck’s Idea of the Negotiated Family
> We now live in ‘risk society’, so tradition has no influence & ppl have more choice.
> More equality & individualism created NEF, varying based on member wishes.
> Free to leave if needs aren’t met, making it less stable.
> NF was oppressive, but had stable basis for family, defining each person’s responsibilities.
What 2 Factors has NF been undermined by according to Beck
> Greater Gender Equality:
- Challenged male domination, women expect quality.
> Greater Individualism:
- Ppl’s actions focused on our self-interests, rather than concerned about others.
Explain Beck’s idea of the Zombie Family?
> Appears to be alive but is dead due to uncertainty.
Ppl want family to be safe haven of security in a insecure world
But family can’t provide this due to uncertainty
A03 Post-Modernism and NF Key Sociologists
> Budgeon (Beck & Giddens)
PLP (Beck & Giddens)
May (Beck & Giddens)
How does Budgeon criticise Beck & Giddens View
Choice ppl have in relationships, exaggerated still limited by traditional norms.
How does PLP criticise Beck & Giddens View
Ppl not fully disembedded, as personal experiences, social context & media, influences decisions.
How does May criticise Beck & Giddens View
Their view of individuals is an idealised version of White MC men, not everyone has same freedom to exercise choice in relationships.
Explain Smart’s Connectedness Thesis
> Patriarchal norms & inequalities, limit our relationship choices e.g. women’s powerlessness mean they remain trapped in abusive relationships.
> We’re not disembedded individuals, choices on relationships are influenced by social context.
> After divorce women keep kids stops them forming new relationships.
Finch and Mason - Study of EF in relation to Connectedness Thesis
> We can negotiate relationships, but family connections & obligations restricting freedom, you can’t walk away when you want.
> e.g. Separated coupes still tied through kids against their own will.
Explain May’s view on Power Structures
> Women have recently gained rights, but don’t have it all.
> e.g. They’re still expected to be straight, meaning lesbians have to stay closet, limiting freedom of choice
