Outline and evaluate sociological views of family diversity Flashcards
point 1
Postmodernists argue that Due to an increase in choice has led to an increase in personal mobility, both social and geographical, which means there is now more diversity in the family.
example 1
Beck and Beck-Gernsheim claim that changes in family life and relationships are being shaped by the development of a process called individualization which involves individuals being expected to make their own decisions. They say that individualization has led to People trying out a number of arrangements, such as cohabitation, marriage and divorce
explain 1
This shows that there is now more family diversity as individualisation has led to different family types like cohabitating families which weren’t seen as natural previously
counter 1
Chester argues most people still live most of their lives in families that involve children and parents, are still built on love and any changes are rather superficial. He also shows that through a person’s lifecycle they will still, in most cases, live in at least one neo conventional family.
point 2
Some sociologists argue there is differences throughout different families in terms of there structure as in a modern age there are variations in family structure, household type, patterns of kinship network, and differences in the division of labour within the home.
example 2
Rapoports identified a key element in family diversity is Organizational diversity. This means there are variations in family structure, household type, patterns of kinship network, and differences in the division of labour within the home throughout different family types
explain 2
This shows that there is now more family diversity as previously there was only one main type of family structure which was the nuclear family structure which had a specific type of division of labour, household type and pattern of kinship network, whereas now there is more diversity in family structure.
counter 2
The Family Policy Studies Centre (FPSC) report, based on the attitudes of 2,000 families, shows that families are infinitely adaptable: they may change and reform but the members continue to offer one another love and support in a traditional way.
point 3
Difference feminists argue that there are now many different family types and different types of family suit different women in different circumstances.
example 3
Nicholson contrasts what she calls the ‘traditional’ family with ‘alternative’ families . She believes that alternative families are often better than traditional ones for the women who live in them. For example, poor black women in the USA derive some benefits when they live in mother-centered families, often without men.
explain 3
This shows there is now more family diversity as previously women wouldn’t get to choose their family type, they were forced into the nuclear family that benefited men.
counter 3
However radical feminists would argue that the family in general still exploits women due to its sexual division of labour and it’s patriarchal structure.
point 4
Some sociologists argue that now family networks are chosen and people aren’t forced into any certain family types, e.g homosexuals and lesbians look upon their households and even their family networks as chosen families.
example 4
According to Weeks et al, “during the past generation the possibilities of living an openly lesbian and gay life have been transformed.” The 2005 Civil partnership backs up this point as it allowed same sex partners to marry.
explain 4
This shows there is now more family diversity as previously homosexual family units barely existed as they were so heavily frowned upon.
