Family Diversity And Postmodernism Flashcards
Beck
‘Individualisation thesis’ argues that the traditional social structures such as class, gender and family have lost much of their influence. In the past peoples lives were defined by fixed rules that largely prevented them choosing their own ‘life course’. We live in a ‘risk society’ were tradition has less influence, roles are no longer fixed and this undermines traditional patriarchal family. ‘Negotiated family’ replaces this they do not conform to the traditional family norm, but vary according to wishes and expectations of their members. More equal but less stable.
Giddens (related to Beck)
- Confluent love / pure relationships
- suggests this has happened bc of greater choice and more equal relationships which are the result of women’s independence and contraception. This means that couples are free to define themselves. Relationships are ‘pure’ and they exist solely to meet partners needs. Same sex relationships are leading the way and creating more democratic equal relationships. Does note that with more choice, relationships inevitably become less stable
Summarised postmodern view
Postmodernists reject the view that there is one best family fit type and suggest that as individual social actors we make choices about our family life’s and relationships. We now have much more choice and freedom. The Rapoports believe diversity is central importance in understanding family life today. We have moved away from traditional nuclear family, families have adapted to a pluralistic society .
Rapoports (CLOGS)
- C-ultural - different cultural, religious and ethnic groups have different family structures
- L-ife stage - family structures differ according to life stage e.g. newlyweds
- O-rganisational- the differences in the way family roles are organised e.g. joint conjugal roles
- G-enerational- different generations have different attitudes and experiences that reflect the historical periods in which they have lived
- S-ocial class - differences in family structure are often the result of income differences
Summarised PLP view
Agree that there is now more family diversity but they disagree with Beck and Giddens’ explanation of it. Make many criticisms of the individualisation thesis. E.G. Smart argues that it exaggerates how much choice people have. It ignores that choices about personal relationships are made within a social context and ignores the importance of structural factors such as social class inequalities and patriarchy. Beck and Giddens’ are seen to provide an idealised, white middle class male view
Smart
Uses the ‘Connectedness thesis’ as an alternative for ‘individualisation thesis’. Rather than believing we have limitless choice, we are fundamentally social beings whose choices are made within a ‘web of connectedness’. We are influenced by existing relationships and personal histories. As Smart says ‘where lives have become interwoven and embedded, it becomes impossible for relationships to simply end’ Also emphasises the role class and gender structures have
Summarised Functionalist view
Functionalists such as Parsons would argue that the nuclear family is functionally fit for modern society
Summarised New Right view
New right theorists see social policies as undermining the nuclear family (divorce law, benefits and civil partnerships) and see the nuclear family as ‘under threat’. Furthermore, they suggest diverse family types are seen as inadequate as the nuclear family ‘fits’ society (Parsons)
Chester
There is a belief that diversity has increased but Chester argues that it has been exaggerated and the nuclear family remains the ‘norm’. The only important change is a move from the dominance of the traditional or conventional nuclear family to a ‘neo-conventional family’. Chester says this is a dual earner family. Although many people are not part of a nuclear family, Chester argues that this is down to life cycles, they were either part of a nuclear family or will be in the future.
Chesters patterns that are continuing
- Most households are headed by a married couple
- most adults marry and have children
- most marriages continue until death. When divorces happen, most divorcees choose to re-marry
- cohabitation has increased but for most of it is a temporary phase before marrying
Stacey
Highlights the impact this shift has had for women. Freed women from patriarchal oppression and can therefore they can shape their family arrangements to meet their needs. Women now create types of families that better suit their needs e.g. divorce - extended
Morgan (postmodernist)
Suggests that we construct our own life course and relationships and that families are therefore not fixed structures (like the functionalists argue) but are simply what people choose to do
