//Family Diversity

Question 1

Outline what is meant by a ‘modernist’ perspective on the family.

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Question 2

What are Parsons’ two irreducible functions of the family?

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Question 3

According to functionalists, which type of family is most appropriate to perform these functions in modern society?

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Question 4

Describe the family type that the New Right regard as normal.

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Question 5

What reasons do the New Right give for supporting this type of family?

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Question 6

Give three reasons why the New Right see lone-parent families as harmful to children.

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Question 7

Summarise Benson’s findings on cohabitation versus marriage. How does this support the
New Right view?

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Question 8

Identify two solutions to family problems proposed by New Right thinkers.

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Question 9

Briefly summarise the five criticisms of the New Right view of the family.

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Question 10

What does Chester mean by the neo-conventional family?

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Question 11

What five patterns does Chester identify to show that there has been little change to the
modern family

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Question 12

Identify and briefly describe the Rapoports’ five types of family diversity.

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Question 13

What are the two key characteristics of postmodern society?

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Question 14

What impact do these characteristics have on family life?

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Question 15

According to Stacey, how have women benefited from the greater freedom of postmodern
society?

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Question 16

What method did Stacey use in her research?

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Question 17

What does Stacey mean by the ‘divorce-extended family’? How do divorce-extended families
reflect the postmodernist view of family life?

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Question 18

Summarise the individualisation thesis.

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Question 19

Explain what is meant by ‘life course analysis’.

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Question 20

What are the two major strengths of using the life course analysis method to investigate families?

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Question 21

. Give the two reasons for greater choice and equality in families and marriage.

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Question 22

What does greater choice and equality in families and marriage mean for couples today?

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Question 23

According to Giddens, what holds relationships together today?

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Question 24

What is the key feature of the ‘pure relationship’?

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Question 25

Why does Giddens see the pure relationship as a ‘rolling contract’?

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Question 26

Why does Giddens see same-sex couples as pioneers of new family types?

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Question 27

What does Beck mean by ‘risk society’?

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Question 28

. Identify two social trends that have undermined the patriarchal family.

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Question 29

What is the ‘negotiated family’?

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Question 30

What does Beck mean by the ‘zombie family’?

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Question 31

State three criticisms that the personal life perspective makes of the individualisation thesis.

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Question 32

How does Finch and Mason’s study of extended families support the connectedness thesis?

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Question 33

Why does the connectedness thesis see Giddens’ view of the pure relationship as incorrect?

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Question 34

Give three examples of gender differences in how far individuals have choices about their relationships.

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Question 35

Give an example of how structures continue to limit choice in relationships and families.

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