Family Diversity & Life Course

Question 1

What view do the new right have about family diversity?

Answer 1

Conservative and anti-feminist, they oppose family diversity.

Question 2

Like functionalism, what is the new rights view on family diversity?

Answer 2

There is only one correct or normal family type.​ The traditional or conventional patriarchal nuclear family

Question 3

What do the new right believe of the growth of family diversity has caused?

Answer 3

Social problems such as higher crime rates and educational failure?

Question 4

Name a popular feminist theorist who criticises the new right and why.

Answer 4

Ann Oakley, The view of New right towards family is negative reaction against the feminist campaign of women’s equality. Oppressive to women.

Question 5

What is Robert Chester view on family diversity?

Answer 5

There is increased family diversity but doesn’t see this as very significant

Question 6

What does Chester argue?

Answer 6

The only important change is a move from the dominance of the traditional or conventional nuclear family.

Question 7

What does he describe these family types as (Traditional or conventional nuclear family)?

Answer 7

Neo- conventional family.

Question 8

What does Chester mean by Neo- conventional family?

Answer 8

A division of labour shared between male breadwinner and a female home-maker

Question 9

What is a dual-earner family?

Answer 9

Both spouses go out to work

Question 10

What do Rhona and Robert Rapoports believe?

Answer 10

Family diversity is the central importance in understanding family life today, with 5 different types of families existing in wider society today.

Question 11

Rhona and Robert Rapoports identify 5 different types of family diversity,name these types.

Answer 11

Organisational diversity, Cultural diversity , Social class diversity, Life stage diversity, Generational diversity.

Question 12

What is the modernist approach to the family?

Answer 12

Like New right and functionalism, they emphasis the dominance of one family type.

Question 13

What is the approach of modernist theorists towards family?

Answer 13

Structural or ‘top down view’ structure that shapes the behaviour of its members so they can perform functions that society requires.

Question 14

Which sociologist uses the approach know as life course analysis?

Answer 14

Tamara Hareven (1978)

Question 15

What does Hareven summaries about life course analysis?

Answer 15

There is flexibility and variation in people family lives - in choices and decisions they make.It focuses on the meanings people give to life events and choices.

Question 16

Who uses the concept of family practices?

Answer 16

David Morgan (1996)

Question 17

What does Morgan believe about family practices?

Answer 17

How we construct our life course and relationships. Families are not ‘concrete things’ or structures they are simple what people do.

Question 18

What do post-modernist theorists say about family diversity?

Answer 18

Family structures are more fragmented and individuals have much more choice in their lifestyle.

Question 19

What does Anthony Giddens (1992) argue?

Answer 19

In recent decades the family and marriage have been transformed by greater choice and more equal relationships between men and women.

Question 20

What factors have effected choice and equality according to Giddens?

Answer 20

Contraception- sex and intimacy rather than reproduction.

Women have gained independence having greater opportunities in education and work.

Question 21

Who has a similar view to Giddens?

Answer 21

Ulrich Beck (1992)

Question 22

What is Ulrich Beck’s view?

Answer 22

We live in a ‘risk society’ where tradition has less influence and people have more choice.

Question 23

What view does Judith Stacey (1998) argue?

Answer 23

She argues greater choice has benefited women,free themselves from patriarchal oppression and to shape their family arrangement to meet their needs.

Question 24

What does Jeffrey Weeks (2000) about the growing acceptance of diversity?

Answer 24

he argues that there has been a long term shift in attitudes since the 1950’s.

Question 25

What are the factors affecting changing attitudes about family diversity.

Answer 25

Growing acceptance of sexual and family diversity - attitudes more favourable towards cohabitation and homosexuality.

Question 26

To summarize, who are against diversity?

Answer 26

Functionalism and New right- Only one best or normal family type.Traditional nuclear family consisting of married couple.

Question 27

Who is in favour of diversity?

Answer 27

Post-modernist and Feminists - it brings people to freedom to choose the personal relationships and the ways of living that meet their needs.