Patterns, Trends and Diversityv Flashcards
Outline two reasons for a decline in marriage.
Changing social attitudes: More acceptance towards cohabitation and less stigma around being single or divorced.
Economic factors: The cost of weddings and the financial implications of marriage might discourage some people.
Why do you think females are more likely to apply for a divorce than males?
They’re becoming more financially independent, which makes it easier to leave unsatisfactory marriages.
How might divorce law reforms have contributed to an increase in divorce?
The 1969 Divorce Reform Act meant that women could file for divorce too, not just men.
Provide three reasons for the recent decline in the number of divorces.
Changing attitudes towards marriage: There is a greater emphasis on communication, compromise, and working through challenges in relationships.
Delayed marriage: People are getting married at a later age, which may lead to more mature and stable relationships.
Cohabitation: More couples are choosing to live together before getting married, allowing them to test compatibility and reduce the likelihood of divorce.
Identify four childbearing trends.
Declining fertility rates
Delayed child-bearing
Increase in child-bearing outside of marriage
Increase in fertility treatments
Provide two reasons why there has been an increase in single person households.
Changing social norms and attitudes: There is a greater acceptance of singlehood as a valid and fulfilling lifestyle choice.
Economic factors: Financial stability and the ability to support oneself have become more attainable for individuals.
Explain how the government had had a role in shaping attitudes towards same-sex couples.
- Legislation: By passing laws that recognize and protect the rights of same-sex couples, such as legalising same-sex marriage, the government has helped normalise these relationships in
Outline five ways in which ethnic minorities contribute to family diversity.
Cultural traditions
Language and communication
Multigenerational households
Alternative family structures
Cultural resilience
Explain how family diversity could be viewed as a weakening of traditional values.
As society evolves, we’re seeing more single-parent families, same-sex families, cohabiting couples, and blended families. Some might interpret these changes as moving away from traditional family standards.
Outline three reasons against the view that the nuclear family is in decline.
Continued prevalence: The nuclear family, consisting of a married couple and their biological children, is still the most common family structure in many societies
Adaptability: The nuclear family has shown remarkable adaptability over time.
Cultural significance: The nuclear family holds significant cultural and symbolic value in many societies.
Why do the New Right have concerns about single parent families?
The New Right perspective in sociology holds a conservative view regarding family structure. They believe in the traditional nuclear family, with two parents - one as the breadwinner and the other as the homemaker.
They also think single-parent families lack the balance of having both a male and female influence, which they believe is important for a child’s development.
Why do functionalists think that the extent of family diversity has been exaggerated?
They believe most people will be part of a nuclear family at some point in their lives, whether as children, parents, or grandparents.
Provide five bullet points than sum up the postmodern individualism thesis
- Emphasis on individual choice and autonomy in shaping one’s identity and lifestyle.
- Rejection of traditional social structures and norms, leading to a more fragmented and diverse society.
- Increased focus on consumerism and the pursuit of personal gratification.
- Recognition of the influence of media and technology in shaping individual identities and social interactions.
- Critique of grand narratives and a preference for multiple, fluid identities.
Describe some of the differences between modern and postmodern families.
Values: Modern families often prioritize stability, conformity, and traditional values. Postmodern families, however, tend to value individualism, personal fulfillment, and flexibility in defining family dynamics.
Explain how the connectedness thesis differs from the individualism thesis.
The Individualism Thesis focuses on autonomy and self-definition, the Connectedness Thesis highlights the importance of social ties and relationships. Both offer valuable insights into understanding social behaviour and change.
