Postmodernism and Sociology of Personal Life

Question 1

key thinkers of sociology of personal life

Answer 1

*Carol Smart
*Petra Nordqvist

Question 2

definition of the family

Answer 2

takes the definition of family beyond ties of blood and marriage.
e.g. a person may not feel
close to their sibling so would not help in a crisis but may do this for a friend they feel closer to

Question 3

Personal Life Perspective on the family

Answer 3

By focusing on the meanings behind the relationships PLP suggests we choose families we want and need, but these are based on past experiences rather than an open choice. Smart & Nordqvist

Question 4

Smart & Nordqvist

Answer 4

looked into donor conceived children to explain the importance of social relationship over the
genetic relationship.
Mothers noted their definition of being a mother was linked to time taken to raise their child than the cell that started the process.

Question 5

PLP Evaluation

Answer 5

• taking too broad a view - including a wide of family types and personal relationships it is possible to overlook what is special about relationships based on blood and marriage ties.
• helps us understand how people construct and define “family” relationships

Question 6

Giddens & Beck view of the family

Answer 6

• Individualisation Thesis
• Traditional social structures have lost influence over peoples actions and decisions. In the past people were defined by ascribed roles based on class, gender and religion, which prevented them from choosing their own life course or family type.
• we have been freed or disembedded from traditional roles and structures which means we are able to choose the family
  that meets our needs and wants at that point in our lives.
• Gidden argues - transformation has caused advancements e.g. availability of contraception and female independence. Which also changed the basis of couples relationships – Pure Relationships.

Question 7

Stacey’s view of the family

Answer 7

• Greater freedom and choice has benefitted women enabling them to free
  themselves from patriarchal oppression and shape family arrangements around what works for them and their needs.
• Stacey used life history interviews in silicon valley to show that women have led the change in family structures, roles and responsibilities rather than men.
• Stacy noted a new type of family which she called the Divorce-Extended family
  whose key members may include Ex-In Laws, Ex Partner and their new partner.
  although no longer connected by blood or marriage will still help financially and domestically.

Question 8

post-modernist view of family Evaluation

Answer 8

• Personal Life Perspective - Exaggerates how much choice people have about
  family. They argue that although traditional social structures have weakened they do still exist and influence peoples choices. people are not completely disembedded as social context such as personal experiences and media will impact decision and choices people make.
• Vanessa May: “Beck and Giddens view of the individual is simply an idealised
  version of white middle class man.”
• Carol Smart: Connectedness Thesis – People are social beings who live in a web
  of connectedness, networks of relationships and personal histories which
  influence and shape our range of options and choices.