Theories of Family Diversity

Question 1

What are the 3 Modernist views that do not like diversity?

Answer 1

• functionalism
• new right
• neo-conventional families

Question 2

What is the Modernist view that believe diversity is very common?

Answer 2

The Rappaports

Question 3

What do Functionalists believe about family diversity?

Answer 3

Murdock (1949) = nuclear family is universal and therefore the best. Performs 4 key functions: socialisation, sexual, reproductive and economic

Parsons (1955) = performs two key functions: stabalisation of adult personalities and socialisation of children.

Question 4

Evaluation of the functionalists view of family diversity?

Answer 4

Feminists stress that nuclear families have a dark side, women are subject to patriarchy

Question 5

What do he New Right believe about family diversity?

Answer 5

Very conservative view. Despise diversity.
Murray (1989) found that the welfare state invokes a dependency culture. It also provides an perverse incentive for women to get pregnant to be housed… leads to lone parent families. The absence of a father figure breeds ill behaviour which is passed down generations

Question 6

Evaluation of the New Right theory of family diversity?

Answer 6

Feminists critique if for presuming men and women have set roles to play

Question 7

According to Chester (1985), what is the neo-conventional family and how does it link to diversity?

Answer 7

Factors such as divorce have led to single parent and step families.
Diversity though, is not yet the norm. He described those who do not conform to the nuclear family as “neoconventional” families. For example, both parents may have a job ect. At some stage in our life, we will live in a nuclear family so therefore it is not the norm

Question 8

Evaluation of Chester and the neo-conventional family?

Answer 8

He downplays the significance of changes to the family

Question 9

What do The Rapoports (1982) find about family diversity?

Answer 9

They found five types of diversity

Question 10

What are the 5 types of diversity according to The Rapoports (1982)?

Answer 10

• organisational
• cultural
• class
• life stage
• generational

Question 11

According to The Rapoports (1982), what is organisational diversity?

Answer 11

Refers to the way men and women divide their labour. Traditionally, men were the breadwinners and women cleaned the house. It is more equal now

Question 12

According to The Rapoports (1982), what is cultural diversity?

Answer 12

Differences in diversity across religious and cultural groups. Asian families more likely to be in a nuclear family, black parents more likely to be lone parent

Question 13

According to The Rapoports (1982), what is class diversity?

Answer 13

Different experiences across socioeconomic groups. There are differences in the way children are socialised by middle and working class families

Question 14

According to The Rapoports (1982), what is life stage diversity?

Answer 14

Families are not static. They change with time. For example, a married couple will evolve into a nuclear families with kids then turn into an “empty nest” once the kids move out

Question 15

According to The Rapoports (1982), what is generational diversity?

Answer 15

Experiences that are dependent on when a person was born. Older generations were more likely to have secreted conjugal roles, different now

Question 16

Evaluation of The Rapoports view on diversity?

Answer 16

There is a common theme through diversity experiences, the nuclear family is still dominant

Question 17

What are the 6 postmodern theories believing diversity is common and good?

Answer 17

• Stacey (freedom of choice)
• Giddens and Beck (individualisation)
• Giddens (choice)
• Beck (negotiated family)
• The Personal Life Perspective
• the Connectedness Theory

Question 18

According to Stacey (1998), explain the freedom of choice thesis about diversity

Answer 18

Stacey (1998) found that diversity has been beneficial to women. In her study into Californian women, they said that they now have greater power to shape their life. Many worked. And many now have the power to leave a relationship
This has led to the divorce extended family, where women still keep ties with their ex partner for the sake of the children.

Question 19

Evaluation of Staceys (1998) theory of diversity?

Answer 19

Not representative of wider society.

Question 20

According to Giddens and Beck (1992), explain the individualisation thesis of family diversity

Answer 20

Traditional structures have lost influence over people’s lives. Things such as: gender, class, and ethnicity don’t control people anymore. In the past, people were under pressure to conform with traditional values such as marriage and having children, but now following the rise of individualisation, people are under less pressure.
People are now disembedded from tradition meaning that people no longer have a fixed path to follow. Leads to greater diversity as people have more choice when it comes to family and relationships.

Question 21

Evaluation of Giddens and Becks (1992) theory of family diversity…

Answer 21

Those from religious backgrounds still have to conform with traditional values

Question 22

According to Giddens (1992), explain the choice and equality theory about family diversity?

Answer 22

Focuses on the equality between between men and women in society. Women today have more power due to the feminist movement and growth in legal rights. The status of women being a housewife has been removed. Adults, especially women, are less pressured to do such roles so it’s gives them more freedom. Therefore adults seeks pure relationship (love and satisfaction). Therefore love has become confluent meaning people will walk away from a relationship if it’s not good enough
Gay couples are gaining power. Such couples are pioneers (they are paving the way for greater diversity in the future). Such couples do not have to conform with gender scripts so can negotiate the roles each partner will play. People feel more confident being LGBT

Question 23

Evaluation of Giddens (1992) choice and equality theory about family diversity?

Answer 23

Those women who do marry, lose much of their independence as they take on the bulk of childcare and domestic labour

Question 24

According to Beck (1992), explain the negotiated family theory of family diversity?

Answer 24

Argues we live in a world full of risk and threat. People mono longer have the security of fixed norms and values, this poses risk. Two things have created this insecurity, gender equality and rise of individualisation. This brings about the negotiated family. Couples work together to decide the best course of action. This will result in conflict and the breakdown of relationships. Beck describes the family today as the zombie family, they appear fine from the outside but are dead inside.

Question 25

Evaluation of Becks (1992) theory of the negotiated family…

Answer 25

The pivot generation highlights people are being more selfless than ever. Means they’re trying to keep their family together best they can.

Question 26

Explain The Personal Life Perspective of family diversity

Answer 26

The PLP questions what actually counts as family. Nowadays, people are free to choose what counts as family. Each individual is free to construct their own understanding of the family. Can include; fictive kin, deceased and pets. Reproductive technology such as IVF means blood ties are less significant as they were before. There are a large number of people who are part of a family with whom they share no DNA with. Demonstrates a new type of diversity

Question 27

Evaluation of The Personal Life Perspective theory of family diversity

Answer 27

Neglects the extent to which blood ties are still important

Question 28

Which Postmodernist theory challenges the extent to which diversity is common in today’s society?

Answer 28

The Connectedness theory

Question 29

Explain the Connectedness Theory on family diversity, according to Finch and Mason (1993)

Answer 29

Finch and Mason argue that we live in a world with a wide web of connections, and these heavily influence our decisions within the family. For example, parents, siblings and older relatives. People are not “individuals”, these relationships influence decisions. For example, if a relationship can break down but they’ll stay together for the sake of the children. 
Furthermore, gender and class still determine actions within the family. For example, women are likely to get custody of the children and the man will live in his own.
Although we are becoming more tolerant of non traditional life styles, people still feel different due to wider social forces

Question 30

Evaluation of the Conectedness Theory…

Answer 30

Modernist theories add that family structures still do, and should play an important role in family life.