Family diversity Flashcards
What are the main types of families
Nuclear - Married father and mother living together with their biological or adopted children
Lone parent families - Consists of a mum/dad living together with his/her children
Cohabiting - Consists of an unmarried couple in a sexual relationship living together with or without children.
Same-sex families - Hetrosexual couple and their children
Give 4 reasons for the increase in family diversity
1) Decline in stigma attached to pre-marital sex
2) Increased0 career opportunities for women
3) Secularisation
4) Increase in divorce
What do the rapport argue about the nuclear family
Argue that the nuclear family is no longer the main family type in Britain
What have families in Britain today adapted to according to the Rapoports
Families have adapted into a pluralistic society
What 5 types of family diversity do the identify in Britain today
Organisational - differences in the way family roles are organised
Cultural - Different cultural, religious and ethnic groups have different family structures
Social class - Difference in FS are partly the result of income differences between households of different class
Life stage - family structures differ according to stages reached in the life cycle
Generational - older and younger generations have different attitudes and experiences
What does Giddens argue about same-sex couples
See’s same-sex couples as leading the way towards new family types and creating more democratic and equal relationships.
This is because they are much less influenced by tradition which has enabled them to create relationships based on choice.
Describe the pure relationship
- what does Giddens say about relationships
- key feature
- result
According to Giddens what holds relationships together is no longer law, religion, social norms or traditional institutions. Instead are based on individual choice and equality.
KEY FEATURE - exists solely to satisfy each partners needs
As a result, the relationship is likely to survive so long as both partners stay together because of love, happiness or sexual attraction rather than because of tradition or a sense of duty for the sake of the children
What does Beck say about family diversity
We live in a risk society In which people have more choice, but also face more risks
According to beck what are the reasons for the increase in family diversity
Greater gender equality
greater individuals whereby people are more motivated by self-interest rather than a sense of self-obligation to others
Describe the zombie family
People turn to family in the hope of finding security, however in reality family relationships are now subject to greater risk and uncertainty than ever before.
For this reason beck describes the family as a zombie (appears to be alive but in reality it’s dead).
- people want family to be a haven of security in an insecure world but todays families cannot provide this.
Describe Weeks postmodernist theory
and criticism
Family diversity is widely accepted
this is a result of increased secularisation and changing social attitudes, especially among younger generations.
- however despite this people still value family life
What is the new right theory on family diversity
Opposed of FD
Claim that NF is the only normal, natural family type as it is based on the biological differences between men and women
FD is damaging for society because it causes social problems such as anti social behaviour, crime and educational failure.
LPF are harmful to society and children
burden on the welfare state
single mothers lack control of their children due to the absence of a male role model
Marriage is essential for creating stability, whereas divorce undermines it
Describe stacey postmodernist theory
Argues that greater freedom and choice has benefited women.
Has enabled them to free themselves from patriarchal oppression and shaped their families to fit their needs
These choices lead to greater family diversity
Individualisation thesis
Argues that traditional social structures such as class, gender and family have lost much of their influence over us.
According to the thesis, in the past peoples lives were destined by fixed roles that that prevented them from choosing their own life course.
According to the I.T., we have become freed or disembedded from traditional roles and structures leaving us with more freedom to choose
What does Chester say about FD
Has been exaggerated. Most people aspire to living in a NF and other family types are temporary due to the family life cycle
