Postmodern perspective of the family

Question 1

what do postmodernists believe the family functions for

Answer 1

-the family functions more for individuals than society

Question 2

Strengths of postmodernists view of the family

Answer 2

Relevant to/representative of contemporary diverse families – does not
limit the idea of family to just nuclear like structuralist approaches.
* Highlights the flexibility in family practices/roles unlike the meta-narratives
of structuralist approaches.
* Does not judge particular family or relationship setups as either right or
wrong, rather reflect individual needs unlike New Right approaches.
* Recognises the influence of the media on family life.
* Acknowledges that family life is pluralistic – it is characterised by diversity,
variation and instability.
* Recognises the significance of consumption on family identities.
* Acknowledges that social changes such as increasing social
fragmentation and diversity have made family more a matter of personal
choice.
* Acknowledges the benefits of all/diverse family structures to the individuals
that make up that family

Question 3

Postmodernists view

Answer 3

Postmodernists believe we should look at family as a fluid and changing concept; therefore, they disagree with using metanarratives such as functionalism and Marxism

• They argue that family life is fragmented (broken up) there are many different types of family - no dominant family.
• Postmodernists note the increase in alternative family types, such as single-parent, reconstituted, and same-sex families

Question 4

Criticisms of Postmodernist view on the family

Answer 4

• Feminists believe that although women have more freedom to make their own choices, they are still harshly judged by wider society for not conforming to traditional familial expectations e.g. having children.
• sociologists such as Anthony Giddens and Ulrich Beck claim that we are not yet in a postmodernist society; therefore, we still retain a lot of elements of modernist family patterns and experiences. We are not as ‘free’ to make choices as suggested by postmodernism as we are still in late modern society.

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