family diversity - beck Flashcards
what does beck argue?
we now live in a ‘risk society’ where tradition has less influence and people have more choice
as a result, we are more aware of risks because making choices involves calculating the risks and rewards of different options open to us
what were people expected to do in the past?
marry for life and carry out sexual division of labour
what did the traditional patriarchal family provide?
a stable and predictable basis for the family by defining each member’s role and responsibilities
what is the first trend which undermines the patriarchal family?
greater gender equality, which has challenged male domination in all spheres of life. women now expect equality both at work and in marriage
what is the second trend which undermines the patriarchal family?
greater individualism, where people’s actions are influenced more by calculations of their own self interest than by a sense of obligation to others
what did these trends lead to?
the negotiated family
what is a negotiated family?
a family which does not conform to the traditional family norm, but vary according to the wishes and expectations of their members, who decide what is best for themselves by negotiation and enter the relationship on an equal basis `
why is the negotiated family less stable than a patriarchal family?
because individuals are free to leave if their needs are not met
as a result, this leads to greater family diversity, by creating more lone parent families, one person households and re marriages and so on
