Family diversity - Postmodernism Flashcards
Describe the modernist view?
The family is a structure that shapes the behaviour of its members so that they perform the functions that society requires.
Describe the postmodernist view of society + family?
Postmodernist rejects the view that there is one dominant, stable family structure like the NF.
The NF is replaced by diversity, where people chose their lifestyle, relationships, and family arrangements to suit their own needs.
What does Judith Stacey believe about the family and ‘divorce-extended family’?
Judith believes that women create new types of family structures that better suit their needs - they re-educated as adults, improve job prospects and re-marry.
This includes the new family structure; ‘divorce-extended family’ where members are connected through divorce not marriage (e.g. former in-laws, are needed for childcare).
Who created the individualisation thesis?
Explain the individualisation thesis?
1) Beck + Giddens.
2) Believe people’s lies are no longer defined by fixed roles given through marriage - we can choose how we want to live.
3) Beck state that we have gone from a “standard biography” of the past to a “do-it-yourself biography” in the postmodern age (do what makes us happy at the time).
What does Giddens say about family and relationships?
“The pure relationship” - an intimate relationship that exists solely to satisfy each partners needs.
- We have the choice to now wait for our “pure relationships”.
Explain Beck’s “Negotiated family”?
What happens if we don’t live in a ‘negotiated family’?
1) Beck believes the patriarchal family has been replaced by the “negotiated family” - we decide through negotiation what roles will be in the family - leads to greater equality.
2) The family will become “zombie-like”.
What are the PLP views on family?
PLP criticisms of Individualisation thesis? (2)
They believe there isn’t as much diversity as the individualisation theory says.
2)
- it ignores factors such as social class/gender/money/children that affects our decisions.
- It exaggerates diversity and choice.
Who proposed the connectedness thesis?
Explain the connectedness thesis?
1) Smart.
2) Believes we are social beings who make choices within a web of connectedness.
- Class and gender limit our choice in relationship
What does Vanessa May state about family?
Traditional structures of the family have been reshaped. Women may have gained rights/choices, they are still traditional norms on heterosexuality and lesbians feel forced to hide.
- Therefore, our choices on family relationships and diversity are confined to our social and cultural context.
