Theories of the Family - Postmodernism Flashcards
Lyotard and Bourdrillard belief about contemporary society
It’s rapidly changing and full of uncertainties
What does postmodernism place important on which is different to other perspectives?
How Individuals affect institutions. All other theories are about how institutions affect individuals
Individuals are no longer constrained by what?
Social structures rejecting ideas about traditional family
What are 2 key features of postmodern society?
Diversity and consumer choice
What do people no longer feel bound by according to Beck-Gernsheim and Stacey?
People no longer feel bound by traditional ideas and expectations
What is reflected by rising divorce rates, cohabitation and births outside of marriage?
People are adopting new lifestyles and ways of relating to one another
What do postmodernists believe people do with relationships?
People ‘mix and match’ relationships
Diversity and fragmentation
Society is increasingly fragmented as people can ‘mix and match’, creating their identities and lifestyles from range of choices
What makes life less predictable?
Rapid social change
Family is less stable. What does this give individuals?
More choice about their personal relationships
What do Rhona and Rapoport believe about diversity?
It’s of central importance in understanding family life
What does family diversity reflect?
Greater freedom of choice and acceptance of different cultures
5 types of family diversity in Britain today
- Organisational diversity
- Cultural diversity
- Social class diversity
- Life-stage diversity
- Generational diversity
What does Cheal believe society has entered?
A new, chaotic, postmodern stage
Why does Cheal think family structures have become fragmented?
Because individuals have much more choice
What does greater diversity and choice lead to according to Cheal?
Greater risk of instability resulting in more break ups
What does Stacey believe about families in western societies?
They are varied, constantly changing and tend to lack a fixed shape, form or structure
What has the emergence of postmodern families distorted according to Stacey?
Whole idea that family progresses through series of logical stages
Why must social attitudes and policies have to adjust to diversity according to Stacey?
Because it is permanent
What families played crucial role in changes in family life according to Stacey?
Gay and Lesbian familiesm
What have gay and lesbian couple increasingly asserted according to Stacey?
Right to claim aspects of more conventional family relationships
What does Stacey believe about children in gay or lesbian families?
They are less likely to be hostile and more likely to try homosexual relationships for themselves
What do gay and lesbian families discourage and allow according to Stacey?
Discourage intolerance and allows people more freedom to explore sexuality
What society do we live in according to Beck?
A ‘risk society’ where tradition has less influence and people have more choice
