Postmodernism and The Family

Question 1

(Stacey) In what ways have women benefitted from greater choice?

Answer 1

Enabled them to free themselves from patriarchal oppression and to shape family arrangements to meet their needs

Question 2

(Stacey) What did Stacey discover when she conducted interviews?

Answer 2

Women have been the main agents of change in the family eg by rejecting traditional division of labour, returning to education and remarrying, they created new family types which fit their needs better

Question 3

(Stacey) example of a postmodern family

Answer 3

Divorce extended family: members are connected through divorce rather than marriage

Question 4

(David) what does he argue?

Answer 4

It is pointless to make large scale generalisations about the family because the family is whatever arrangements those involved choose to call a family

Question 5

(Giddens and Beck) individualisation thesis

Answer 5

We have become disembedded from traditional roles/structures like class and gender. This means that individuals have more freedom to choose how to live their lives

Question 6

What does Beck say that supports the individualisation thesis?

Answer 6

The life course that people followed in the past has been replaced with a ‘do-it-yourself’ biography that individuals construct for themselves

Question 7

(Giddens) What has allowed there to be greater equality between men and women in relationships?

Answer 7

Contraception- intimacy rather than procreation is the main reason for relationships

Feminism- greater opportunities for women in education/employment

Question 8

(Giddens) what is a pure relationship?

Answer 8

Exists solely to define each partners’ needs and couples stay together because of happiness or love rather than duty.

Typical of late modern society

Question 9

(Giddens) what is a disadvantage to the pure relationship?

Answer 9

Because they allow individuals to have more choice they are less stable.
(Creates more family diversity tho eg one person households)

Question 10

(Becker) what is the negotiated family?

Answer 10

A new type of family which varies based on the wishes of their members. Couples are equal and this family type is replacing the traditional nuclear family

Question 11

(Becker) which two trends have undermined the traditional nuclear family?

Answer 11

Greater equality for women

Greater individualism in relationships

Question 12

(Becker) why is the negotiated family less stable than the nuclear family?

Answer 12

Individuals are free to leave if their needs are not met which creates more family diversity eg lone parent families

Question 13

(Becker) why are modern families zombie families?

Answer 13

People want to be in a haven of security when today’s families cannot provide this

Question 14

Budgeon’s criticism of individualisation thesis

Answer 14

Exaggerates how much choice individuals actually have when in reality, traditional norms that govern relationships are still relevant

Question 15

Criticism of individuation thesis regarding structural factors

Answer 15

Ignores importance of structural factors like social class and gender norms in shaping relationship norms eg Hartmann’s example of how patriarchy and capitalism reinforce each other

Question 16

(May) why does individuation thesis ignore the importance of structural factors?

Answer 16

It is an idealised version of a white MC man so it ignores that not everyone has the priviledge to exercise choice

Question 17

(Smart) connectedness thesis

Answer 17

Instead of being disembedded, isolated individuals with limitless choice, we are fundamentally social beings that live in a web of existing relationships. This strongly influences our choices in relationships

Question 18

(Finch) In what way does connectedness thesis challenge the concept of pure relationships?
Give an example

Answer 18

Finch found that although there is some room for negotiation, wider structures and obligations limit freedom

eg parents that are not romantically involved but stay together for the sake of the children

Question 19

(Connectedness thesis) Give 2 examples of how gender structures limit choice

Answer 19

1. After divorce, women usually get the children which limits opportunities for new relationships.
2. Men are better paid which gives them greater freedom and choice in relationships