Late & Postmodern views of family Flashcards
Late modern views
-Wider changes in society have brought about changes in the interactions between partners, gender roles and what we define as family
-Late modern focus on the individualisation thesis
-Postmodern families focus on greater diversity, choice and acceptance of lifestyles
Beck & Beck-Gernsheim
-Marriage was a life-long commitment but now has been replaced with alternatives
-Increased insecurity in society has led to the definition of a relationship as being a form of emotional refuge
-Satisfying these needs becomes a condition of relationships- ‘negotiated family’
Bauman- Liquid Love
-Relationships in late modernity are fragile and based upon consumerist transactions- ‘liquid love’
-Greater focus on self, which 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
Evaluation of late modern views
-Structure of family networks influences out 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 appearances or for economic security
Postmodern views of family
-Increase choice has led to increased family diversity along with impact of global patterns of migration on types of families in UK
-Greater acceptance of same sex relationships, lone parents and those who wish not to marry or have children
Stacey- Divorce extended family
-Studied lives of Californian women after they had been divorced and looked at 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 relatives due to shared parenting
Postmodern family types
-Growth of living apart together partnerships (LATs)- not cohabiting or married but in a relationship
-Changes in relationships= increased insecurity in relationships which reduces level of commitment- individual financial security= more valued than emotional
-Globalisation and internal migration as people moving for careers= strain on traditional relationships
-Increased technology means LATs can still communicate
Evaluations of postmodern approaches
-Increase of family diversity, some such as Chester would argue that the traditional structures such as the adults and their children still exist
-Concerned with choice but doesn’t take into account how people are shaped by social pressures
