Family Diversity Flashcards
what is the functional fit theory towards the family
- nuclear family uniquely meets needs of modern society for a geographical + social mobile workforce
- nuclear family creates a stable and effective society
- other family types are dysfunctional, abnormal and deviant
what two functions to functionalists (parsons) believe the family performs
- primary socialisation
- stabilisation of adult personalities
what is the new right views on the family
- oppose family diversity like functionalists, only one ‘normal’ family type- patriarchal, married, clear division of labour (instrumental and expressive roles)
- family is a place of refuge, contentment and harmony
- oppose gay marriage, cohabitation and lone parents
why do new right argue that lone parenthood is a threat
- lone mothers cant discipline children properly
- leave boys without a role model
- likely to be poorer and claim benefits
what do new right believe the main cause of lone parenting is
the collapse of cohabitating couples
what did Benson say about cohabitating couples
data of parents of 15000, First three years, family breakdown higher in cohabitating couples
what is the new right view about marriage
only marriage can provide a stable environment because it is a commitment to each other
why do new right argue that society is broken
- laws and policies such as gay marriage undermine conventical family
- only a return to traditional values will prevent damaging children
what are the criticisms for the new right
- feminists: nuclear family is an oppression of women
- no evidence that children from single parent families are delinquent
- Oakley= wrongly assumes roles are fixed by biology
what is the neo conventional family (chester)
- different to new right: move from traditional nuclear family to dual earner families (symmetrical)
- argues that nuclear families is still ideal for a number of people
- stats are misleading as its only a snapshot
why does Chester argue that little has changed
- most people live in a house with married couple
- most adults get married
- most divorcers get remarried
- cohabitation is a temporary phase
- births outside of marriage is jointly
name a slight overview of Chester’s view on the family
like functionalists, Chester sees nuclear family as dominant however both spouses now play an expressive and instrumental role
according to the Rapoports what are the five types of diversity
- organisational diversity
- cultural diversity
- social class diversity
- life stage diversity
- generational diversity
what does organisational diversity mean
single and dual roles/ earners
what does cultural diversity mean
different cultural/ religious groups have different structures eg black lone households
what does social class diversity mean
difference in child rearing etc
what does life stage diversity mean
young, newlyweds, retired etc
what is generational diversity mean
older generations have different values
what did the Rapoport’s say about the family
moved away from traditional types to different types ( pluralism)
what does modernism mean
rational thinking, logic , and the scientific processes
what does post modernism mean
chance and transience. They believed there is no connection between the past and present. Focus on rapid change and technology
what are the modernist views on family diversity
- emphasise the dominance of the nuclear family
- ‘top down’ view: family shapes behaviour
- individuals have no choice orderly, structured and predictable eg most people have children
what are the post modernists view on family
- cheal : society has entered a new chaotic stage
- no longer a single dominant family structure, fragmented
- people have more choice in their family arrangement, greater freedom but more instability
what does Stacey say about family diversity (post modernist)
- greater freedom and choice has benefitted women
- free from patriarchal oppression and shape family arrangements
what did Stacey’s (postmodernist) interviews in silicon valley conclude
(California): women have been the main agents of change eg reject traditional roles, worked
women created new family types which benefitted their needs
what is the’ divorce extended family ‘
connected by divorce eg mother in laws
what did Stacey (post modernist) find about ‘pam’
formed a divorce extended family with her ex husbands partner, helping each other out. Illustrates diverse post modern families
what did David Morgan say about the family
pointless making large scale generalisations like functionalists: family is who we choose to call family
what does the individualisation thesis mean
traditional social structures like gender and family have lost their influence. fewer certainties’ and fixed roles( disembeded)
what does Giddens argue caused the family and marriage to change and have a greater choice
- contraception allowed sex and intimacy
2. feminism and greater independence
what does Giddens argue is a result of marriages and families having greater choice
- resulted in changes of marriage= no longer held together by norms and legal powers. Free to define relationships ourselves.
what does ‘ pure relationships’ mean
law, religion and norms no longer hold relationships together. Based on individual choice
name some aspects of being in a ‘pure relationship’.
- exists solely to satisfy each others needs
- couples stay together because of love happiness and sexual attraction
- relationships become a part of self identifying ‘ who we are’
AO3 for ‘pure relationships’
However, less stability ‘ rolling contract’ rather than a permanent commitment. less stable
why does Giddens argue that same sex relationships are pioneers
more democratic and equal. This is because they are not influenced by tradition
what did westen and weeks say about gay couples
gay couples create ‘families of choice’ and kinship networks
what does fragmentation mean
idea that families in society are fragmented/ broken up. eg family members live around the world
what is the nuclear family
traditional family, husband is head of the household. mum, dad , children. AKA cereal packet family
what is individualisation
pursing own goals and happiness
what is the divorce extended family
still communicate with family even though you have divorced such as still communicating with your ex mother in law
what is the individualisation thesis
do things in the benefit of yourself. This also presents the breakdown of nuclear family- not held by old norms
what does disembedded mean
separation of people
what is a pure relatiosnhip mean
‘pure’ love. relationship is based on love
what is the negotiated family
Beck- negotiated families do not conform to the traditional family norm but vary according to wishes and expectations of family members who decide what is best for them via negotiation. equal basis but unstable
what is a Zombie family
beck describes the family as a zombie family: it appears to be alive but in reality it is dead. people want their family to be a safe haven but due to instability it cannot do this
what is connectedness thesis
criticises individualisation thesis. not free floating
what does risk society mean
idea that society isnt stable
what is a pluralistic society
more than one family type
what is the neo conventional family
chester- family type is changing
what does life cycle mean
life is a ‘snap shot’
