Family Diversity - Is the NF under threat? Flashcards
What trends surrounding the tradition NF have their been?
- Since the 1970’s there are fewer NF households.
- More couples now cohabit.
- Greater family diversity due to lack of stigma.
Describe the modernist view?
Describe the postmodernist view?
MODERNIST: functionalist/NR
- do not like diversity
POSTMODERNIST: feminist
- like / support diversity
How do modernists see the NF as beneficial to society?
The traditional NF performs vital functions, it is also the natural family type.
(Parsons functional fit theory)
-Isolated NF fits the modern society.
How does the NR feel about the growth of family diversity?
- They are alarmed by it and believes it’s the cause of many social problems. Such as:
- Children become delinquents.
- lone parents become married to the state.
- cohabitation/divorce causes family instability
Believe benefits should only be given to married families to promote the NF.
Using statistics, is the traditional NF disappearing?
In 2013, there were 18.2M families in the UK - 12.3M were NF.
- shows us people still want commitment, and the modern NF is still the predominant aspiration.
- however we have dropped the ‘traditional’ from NF.
What does Robert Chester’s ‘Neo-Conventional Family’ say about increased family diversity?
Does Chester say the NF is disappearing?
Define ‘Neo-conventional’ family?
1) He believes the important change to increased diversity is there’s been a move from tradition NF to ‘neo-conventional’ family.
However he does believe the NF is still the aspired family.
2) Chester believes the NF is still dominant in its neo-conventional form but diversity is exaggerated.
3) dual-earner family.
What do the Rapoports (postmodernists) believe about the family diversity?
What are the 5 types of diversity they have recognised?
They believe the diversity is significant. Society has moved away from the traditional NF as the dominant type; this represents greater freedom of choice.
2)
- Organisational diversity.
- cultural diversity
- social class diversity
- life cycle diversity
- generational / cohort diversity
Explain the 5 identified types of diversity?
1) Organisational diversity = variations in family structure + divisions of labour differences.
2) cultural diversity = differences in lifestyle of families from different ethnic origins.
3) social class diversity = differences in M.C. and W.C. families (conjugal roles + primary socialisation).
4) life cycle diversity = at different stages of the life cycle, people have different experiences of family.
5) generational / cohort diversity = the period which family passes through the life cycle and how families are relative to other families at the same time.
Conclusion:
Is the traditional NF under threat from diversity?
The traditional element of the nuclear family (instrumental & expressive roles) has started to disappear but the nuclear family is still popular in modern society. It has simply adapted to modern times.
