post modernist perspective on the family Flashcards
What does post-modern refer to?
society is changing so rapidy and is marked by chaos and uncertainty so can no longer be understood through meta narratives.
they believe there is a lack of structure to society now, greater diversity and choice who are no longer bound by societal structures
postmodernists argue there is no single truth as people are free to make choices in a pick n mix lifestyle
Why do we have more choice?
Secularisation
education
globalisation
change in attitudes
What do postmodernists believe about family diversity?
they do not believe that a single type of family is the norm, no one single theory of family life is possible
through consumer choice, the traditional family has become disintergrated
people can choose when to get into a relationship etc
quote the supermarket of life
What do postmodernists believe about media saturation?
Online dating sets up a new norm of relationships, leads to a rise in serial monogomy
How has changes to work affected family?
less factory jobs which has led to a decline in the male breadwinner role, spend longer training for careers under more pressure so have less time for relationships
Beck and Gernsheim
freed from traditional roles and structures so can choose the family which meets our needs and wants
Gidden
availability of contraception and female independence. led to a pure relationship
What is a pure relationship?
people carry on with a relationship because it meets their emotional and sexual needs
Stacey
greater freedom has benefited women enabling them to free themselves from patriarchal oppression, used life history interviews to show it is women who had led the change.
many women rejected traditional housewife role and chose varied life paths
noted the divorce extended family
Evaluation of post modernism
over emphasise the amount of choice
most people want a stable long term relationship
traditional gender roles remain
chester - neo conventional
