postmodernist views on the family

Question 1

Giddens

Answer 1

• Plastic sexuality- sex has become a leisure pursuit seperate from childbirth
• this is because the belief that there is a right way to live declined, giving people more choice (reflexivity), so they reflected and altered their view
  -Confluent love- only lasts as long as it benefits the lover
  -Pure relationships- people now want pur relationships based on love

Question 2

evaluation of giddens

Answer 2

:) explains increase in divorce
:) gives people choice
:) benefits same sex/bisexual
:) fits with contemporary society

:( patriarchy still exists
:( not all people are this free

• has explained the changes in society well, but it doesn’t apply to all scenarios as well as possibly being a negative change

Question 3

postmodern can be defined as

Answer 3

society after modernism wherein it is secularised, individualised, fragmented, more diverse and rapidly changing

Question 4

causes of conflict in the family

Answer 4

• greater choice causes conflict
• less predictable roles require negotiation
• work is more demanding and family life is condensed into less time
• the “normal chaos of love” Beck and Beck Gernsheim

(However, this is very pessimistic- couples are very happy and manage a good balance, this also may not be the cause for all family types)

Question 5

Stacey

Answer 5

• women now have more freedom than ever before to shape their family structure
• studies in silicon valley- women are the driving force in changes to the family rather than men
• many womn rejected traditional housewife roles and chose very varied life paths
• ‘divorce extended family’- members are connected by divorce rather than marriage

Question 6

Beck and Beck Gernsheim

Answer 6

• we make individual choices in many areas of life so why not relationships
• freedom of choice leads to individualisation because people are free from past restrictions
• people want the security of family still, but they create relationships that do this according to their needs rather than societal expectations
• people can express their individualisation in loving relationships