Late and Postmodernity

Question 1

Late and Postmodernity

Answer 1

• Late modern and postmodern eras have seen dramatic changes in the organisation and structure of family life
• Wider changes in society have brought about changes in the interactions between partners, gender roles and what we define as a family
• Late modern ideas focus on the individualisation thesis, whilst postmodern families focus on greater diversity, choice and acceptance of lifestyles

Question 2

Beck and Beck-Gernsheim

Answer 2

• Risk in society has translated into relationships - whereas in the modern era, marriage was a life-long commitment, it has now been replaced with a range of alternatives
• Increased insecurity in society has led to the definition of a relationship as being a form of emotional refuge
• Satisfying these needs become s a condition of relationship, what Beck refers to as a negotiated family

Question 3

Bauman - Liquid Love

Answer 3

• Bauman suggested relationships in late modernity are fragile and based upon consumerist transactions - liquid love
• Greater focus on the self, which leads to connections with others rather than relationships, based on satisfying needs
• Insecurity in maintaining relationships and preference for flexible relationships developing contrasting ideas of what a relationship is - freedom versus security

Question 4

Evaluations of late modern views

Answer 4

• Individualisation thesis is based upon ideas of free will and choice
• Structure of family networks influences our personal choices - leading to rejection of potential partners or staying with partners for fear of what people might say
• Modernist traditions remain in some social classes to either keep up appearance or for economic security

Question 5

Postmodern views of family

Answer 5

• Increased choice has led to increased family diversity, as has the impact of global patterns of migration on the types of families in the UK
• Postmodernity more concerned with the experiences of individuals within families and the personal life choices that individuals make
• Greater acceptance of same sex relationships, lone parents and those who wish not to marry or have children

Question 6

Stacey - Divorce extended family

Answer 6

• Stacey studied the lives of Californian women after they had divorced and looked at the relationships they developed with others and support networks that emerged
• Some women developed extended support networks from their friends who became defined as a surrogate family performing key functions
• Others maintained relationships with former partners and their relatives as a result of shared parenting

Question 7

Postmodern family types

Answer 7

• Growth of living apart together partnerships - people in a relationship with a partner who were neither cohabiting nor married
• Changes in relationships have led to increasing insecurity in relationships which reduced levels of commitment - individual financial security more valued that emotional
• Impacts of globalisation and internal migration as people moving for careers put strain on traditional relationships, but increased technology means LATs can still communicate

Question 8

Evaluations of postmodern approaches

Answer 8

• Often the exception rather than the rule and are less widespread than traditional relationships
• While there has been an increase in family diversity, some such as Chester would argue that traditional structures such as the adults and their children still exist
• Postmodernity is concerned with variations of choice, but doesn’t take into account how people are shaped by social pressure