theories of family diversity

Question 1

functionalism

Answer 1

there is a ‘functional fit’ between the nuclear family and modern society

parsons sees the nuclear family as uniquely suited to meeting the needs of modern society for a geographically and socially mobile workforce, and as performing two irreducible functions which stabilise society

because of the family’s ability to perform these essential functions, we can generalise about the type of family we will find in modern society

Question 2

the new right

Answer 2

see the nuclear family as natural, and based on biological differences between men and women

oppose most of the changes in family patterns such as cohabitation, same sex marriage and lone parenthood

the decline of the nuclear family causes many social problems

Question 3

cohabitation vs marriage

Answer 3

the main cause of lone parent families is the collapse of relationships between cohabiting couples

married couples have a more stable relationship because it requires a deliberate commitment to each other

Question 4

the connectedness thesis

Answer 4

smart - we are fundamentally social beings whose choices are always made within a web of connectedness, rather than disembedded isolated individuals

we live within networks of existing relationships and interwoven personal histories and these strongly influence our range of options in relationships

parents who separate remain connected through their children