Family diversity

Question 1

Which theories view family diversity as negative?

Answer 1

• Functionalist

* New Right

Question 2

Which theories view family diversity as positive?

Answer 2

• Feminism

* Postmodernism

Question 3

Outline the functionalist view of family diversity?

Answer 3

• Parsons - nuclear family is uniquely suited to meeting needs of modern society + performs irreducible functions which other family types can’t
• Other family types are less able to perform functions required by family and therefore lead to a less effective and unstable society

Question 4

Give a criticism of the functionalist view of family diversity

Answer 4

• Ignore dark side of family

* Ignore dysfunctions of family and harmful effects it may have on wider society

Question 5

Outline the New Right view of family diversity

Answer 5

• Family diversity is causing decline of nuclear family which is causing social problems
• E.g. Lone parent families can’t discipline children properly and are a burden to welfare state
• Benefits discourage men from working and supporting family undermining traditional family

Question 6

Give a criticism of the New Right view of social policy

Answer 6

• No evidence that lone parent families are part of dependency culture or raise delinquent children
• Feminism - nuclear family is patriarchal and prevents women from working and being financially independent
• Rhona and Robert Rapoport - family diversity is response to people’s different needs not abnormal or deviant

Question 7

Outline Robert Chester’s view of family diversity

Answer 7

• Argues extent and importance of family diversity has been exaggerated
• Nuclear family is dominant but traditional nuclear family has changed to a ‘neo-conventional’ family

Question 8

What is a neo-conventional family?

Answer 8

A family where both spouses go to work and the division of labour is more equal and shared

Question 9

Give a criticism of Robert Chester’s view on family diversity

Answer 9

Rapoports - argue family diversity is of central importance in understanding family life + have moved away from the traditional nuclear family as the dominant family type

Question 10

Outline David Morgan’s view on family diversity

Answer 10

• Family diversity increased as a response to society becoming more fragmented
• Family practices - create a sense of being a family member through actions such as DIY and feeding the children
• Family is ‘what people do’ rather than a concrete structure

Question 11

Give a criticism of David Morgan’s view on family diversity

Answer 11

Structuralists - although family practises are actions of individuals they take place in the context of wider social structure and norms

Question 12

Outline David Cheal’s view of family diversity

Answer 12

• Family diversity has increased because we now have more choice over what type of family we create
• No single family is dominant in today’s postmodern society

Question 13

Give a criticism of David Cheal’s view of family diversity

Answer 13

• Greater choice in relationships means a greater risk of instability

Question 14

Outline Anthony Giddens view on family diversity

Answer 14

• Increased as a result of more equality between men and women
• As a result basis of marriage and family has changed into one in which couple are free to define their relationships themselves

Question 15

Give a criticism of Gidden’s view of family diversity

Answer 15

• Giddens - more choice = unstable personal relationships

he criticised his own theory?

Question 16

Outline Judith Stacey’s view on family diversity

Answer 16

• Changes in position of women = more diverse family types

Question 17

Outline Jeffrey Weeks view on family diversity

Answer 17

Long term shift in attitudes towards sexual and family diversity since 1950s such as gay marriage which has led to increased family diversity

Question 18

Give a criticism of Jeffrey Weeks view on family diversity

Answer 18

• Despite changing attitudes family patterns still fairly traditional
• These changes have led to a ‘crisis of masculinity’ where men have anxiety about their role and so use domestic violence to assert their traditional masculinity