Theories on diversity Flashcards
New right theory
OPPOSED to family diversity (its happening)
They claim that the only normal and natural family type is NF This is bc its based on bio diff between men and women. As such, it is a place of contentment, refuge and harmony. Fd is damaging for society bc it causes social problems e.g anti-social behaviour, crime, ed failure. LPF in particular are harmful to society and children. They are a burden on the welfare state, single mothers lack control over their children & the absence of fathers means a lack of male role models. Marriage is essential for creating stability, while divorce undermines stability.
New right theory criticisms
Ignores the dark side of nuclear families such as domestic abuse
Chester
Argues the most typical family type is the nf. Hence, even though there is some fd its extent has been exaggerated. Most people aspire to living in a nf and other types of families are temporary due to the family life cycle. The statistics on family structures are a snapshot - they show us the type of family people live in at one given time. Argues the most important change in family life is the move from the dominance of the conventional nf to the neo-conventional family.
Conventional family-1950s traditional NF made up of husband and wife with segregated divisions of labour and their children.
Neo-conventional- the modern dual worker family in which both partners work in paid employment.
PM theory - Stacey
Fd IS happening. Changes in the family have been instigated by women as they have taken the advantage of increased equality with men and pursued ed and careers. Women have also arranged their family life to suit them. E.g a women can choose a career over family, choose to never marry, choose to divorce. These choices made by women have led to fd. One new type fo family to emerge is the divorce-extended family in which members are connected to each other by divorce.
