Family diversity

Question 1

What is family diversity

Answer 1

The differences between types of family

Question 2

What do the Rapoports think about family diversity

Answer 2

It is central to modern family life

Question 3

What did the Rapoports identify as the 5 types of family diversity

Answer 3

1. Organisational diversity - families can be organised differently - e.g. joint conjugal roles or segregated conjugal roles.
2. Cultural diversity - e.g. more single parents in the Afro-Carribean community.
3. Social class diversity - e.g. differences in family structure and child-rearing.
4. Life-stage diversity - family structures differ according to the stage reached in the life cycle e.g. newlyweds, couples with children, widows etc.
5. Generational diversity

Question 4

What do post-modernists think about family diversity

Answer 4

. In a post modern society there is much more diversity and choice. People can pick and mix the family type(s) that suit them.

Question 5

Why have single-parent families increased

Answer 5

• Tripled between 1972 and 2006.
• Allan & Crow (2001) -
• Increase in divorce
• significant rise in the number of never married women.
• Death
• CHOICE IS A KEY FACTOR IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY.

Question 6

Why has family size decreased (1961-2001)

Answer 6

• Women’s employment - more women are prioritising their careers over having children.
• Cost of childcare - nearly a quarter of household income (Williams 2006)
• Lifestyle choice - spending money on other things besides children - consumer society.
• Increase in YOUNG ADULTS LIVING WITH THEIR PARENTS.
  
  • 58% of men & 39% of women aged 20-24 lived with their parents (2006)
  • 8% increase from 1991.
  • Increase in housing costs
  • Cost of higher education
  • Lack of social housing.