Family Diversity. Flashcards
Weeks- Chosen Families
-there is a greater acceptance of non traditional lifestyles which allows people to choose the type of family they spend their lives in. Argues there are greater levels of equality and negotiation around the division of domestic labour + decision making. This is supported by DUnne- looked into 37 lesbian couples with dependent children+ argued they had a more symmetrical relationship. She argues that this is because they didn’t need to follow gender scripts.
For example, women are traditionally expected to have an expressive role in the nuclear family. When two men are in a relationship the role is shared as mother is no expectation.
Functionalists argue that this would lead to ineffective socialisation of children as they wouldn;t understand their role in society.
Giddens- confluent love
- The availability of contraception has made modern relationships more about finding love that is based on equality and meeting each other’s needs. Many now pursue the pure relationship + so develop plastic sexuality (choices untied from reproduction) relationships are no longer grounded in obligation +tradition. They become conditional meaning they are ended if they fail to live up to expectations.
For example , there is an increased divorce rate, this means people are ore likely to get a divorce if their marriage is not how they think it should be.
Functionalists criticises this became they argue that traditional nuclear families have more successful outcomes; children are more likely to be socialised effectively. People are more likely to get a divorce if their marriage is not how they think it should be.
Functionalists criticise this because they argue that traditional nuclear families have ore successful outcomes ; children are more likely to be socialised effectively. Parents have more stable,committed relationships.
Murray- the underclass
Criticises growth of single parent families and blames an overly generous welfare state. Argues they have created a dependency culture. The claims benefits provide a ‘perverse incentive’ to have children without being bale to provide for them. Argues that children in single crime parent families are more likely to fail in school, take drugs and get involved in crime.
The new right would argue rising divorce rate is negative because it makes single parent families more common. He would urge this is bad for children and families because they are more likely to fall into poverty + children will not be looked after. This is bad for society.
This can be shown by the fact that 81% of single, female headed household are in poverty (2014)
Radical feminists argue that the decline of the nuclear family is positive need cause it oppresses women.
Feminists such as Fran Ansley. Would argue against this view because women are used an emotional outlet.
Causes higher divorce rate
Divorce rates have increased because of several factors. For example, changes in the law, rising expectations of marriage. Secularisation, declining stigma _ changing attitudes and women’s increased independence.
For example women entering the work force means they are no longer dependent on men for economic support and they can’t get a divorce if they are unhappy.
Since the early 2000’s the divorce rate has declines and is now the lowest for 40 years. Some have argues this is due to the growing acceptance of couples living together before getting married. Which has strengthened marriage. Recent figures showed the number of families headed by cohabiting couples up by 307 in a decade _ more than doubling since the 1990s.
Functionalists view on the effects of divorce on individuals / society
‘In modern society labour is best divided on physical differences. Nuclear family is the best to socialise children. Women have an expressive role. Men have an instrumental role.
They would argue that divorce is negative because it means that the nuclear family is turned into a single parent family or reconstituted family in their views. This means children can not be socialised effectively.
Feminists, such as Fran Ansley would argue against this view because she believes women are used as an emotional outlet within the nuclear family. This means she would think that divorce is positive because it means women no longer have the stress of dealing with men’s emotions as divorce provides them with the ability to escape.
Chester- The neo-conventional family
Saw family diversifying but didn’t see it as significant or as harmful as new right. The only important change was the move away from teh conventional nuclear family to the dual-earning family in which both spouses have paid work and shared domestic labour. It’s the nuclear family evolving to meet modern needs.
For example, the economic function is now fulfilled by both parents. So this shows that the nuclear family has adapted to fit modern societies.
The nuclear family is evolving to fit societies needs, not declining just changing,
Ulrich Beck- Risk society
The hyper-individualism of postmodern society has led to us having more choice in how we live our lives. We are more aware of the risk of potential failure. This freedom risk has led to more negotiated families. Where domestic labour +gender roles are negotiated between partners. This leads to greater family diversity.
For example, changing attitudes towards LGBTQ have ben driven by each successive generation having more liberal vie2s then the last. 46%of people born in the 1940s thought homosexuality was always wrong. Compared to 21% born in the 60s.
Functionalists argue that the rise of family diversity is negative as the nuclear family is the most effective for children+adults
Postmodernism+Family diversity
We live in a society that has moved into a new phase dominated by diversity where it is no longer possible to think of one “right way for people to live their lives. They argue that family diversity is a reflection of this-there is no longer a dominant type of family unit.
E.G Giddens (confluent love, contraception) weeks (chosen families greater acceptance of diversity) and dUNNE LESBIAN COUPLES REJECTION OF GENDER scripts are examples of family diversities
Personal life sociologists argue that we aren’t all as fre to choose as postmodernists claim.traditional attitudes are still present in many cultures.
Ulrich Beck- post modernism
- Claimed we live in a society that has moved int o a new phase dominated by diversity, where it’s no longer possible to think of one ‘right way’ for people to live.
- They argue family diversity is a reflection of this there is no longer one dominant type of family unit.
Beck argued that the hyper individualism of postmodern society has led to use having more choice in how we live but also we are more aware of risk of failure.
*This freedom has led to more negotiated families where domestic labour and gender role are negotiated between partners. Leads to greater family diversity.
AO3
Personal life sociologists argue that we aren’t all free to choose. Traditional attitudes still present in many cultures.
