Theories on Family Diversity

Question 1

PARSONS- functionalist theory

Answer 1

nuclear family’s the most ideal type as it has a functional fit- is geographically and socially mobile and performs 2 functions for society:
primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities, this maintains social solidarity.

Question 2

NEW RIGHT THEORY

Answer 2

nuclear family’s best as its based on biological differences of men and women.
say family diversity’s damaging to society as lone parent family’s are a burden on the welfare state, and single mums lack control over kids- lack of male role models
marriage’s essential for creating stability

Question 3

BENSON- NEW RIGHT THEORY

Answer 3

breakdown of cohabitation is the main cause of lone parenthood as they avoid commitment and responsibility.

Question 4

OAKLEY- Criticism of New Right Theory

Answer 4

says gender roles being fixed by biology is patriarchal

says there’s no evidence that kids in lone parent families are more likely to turn to crime

Question 5

Criticism of New Right Theory

Answer 5

they ignore that nuclear families can be dysfunctional through domestic abuse etc.

Question 6

CHESTER

Answer 6

extent of family diversity’s exaggerated as nuclear family’s still are the most common type
other types of family’s are temporary due to the family life cycle- people aspire to live in a nuclear family
the stats on family structures are a snapshot
the most imp. change in family life is the move from a conventional family to a neo-conventional one

Question 7

CHESTER- conventional family

Answer 7

traditional nuclear family- husband and wife with a segregated division of labour (breadwinner and housewife)

Question 8

CHESTER- Neo-conventional family

Answer 8

modern dual worker family- both partners work in paid employment

Question 9

POSTMODERNIST THEORY- RAPOPORT AND RAPOPORT

Answer 9

range of families exist and all should be accepted- the increase in family diversity shows freedom of choice and widespread acceptance of different cultures
there’s 5 types of family diversity

Question 10

RAPOPORT AND RAPOPORT TYPES OF FAMILY DIVERSITY- Organisational diversity

Answer 10

variations in family structures/ household types/ patterns of kinship/ difference of divisions in labour

Question 11

RAPOPORT AND RAPOPORT TYPES OF FAMILY DIVERSITY- Cultural diversity

Answer 11

theres differences in family lifestyles of different ethnicities and religions

Question 12

RAPOPORT AND RAPOPORT TYPES OF FAMILY DIVERSITY- Social class diversity

Answer 12

differences between m/c and w/c families in relation to child rearing and adult relationships due to differences in income

Question 13

RAPOPORT AND RAPOPORT TYPES OF FAMILY DIVERSITY- Life stage diversity

Answer 13

differences result from the stages at which the family is in

Question 14

RAPOPORT AND RAPOPORT TYPES OF FAMILY DIVERSITY- Generational diversity

Answer 14

older and younger generations have different attitudes and experiences of family diversity

Question 15

STACEY- POST MODERNISTS THEORY

Answer 15

family diversity has been instigated by women at they’ve taken advantage of increased equality, and have arranged their family life to suit them (choose career over family)
they’ve created the divorce- extended family

Question 16

STACEY- POST MODERNISTS THEORY- DIVORCE EXTENDED FAMILY

Answer 16

members are connected by divorce

Question 17

MORGAN- POST MODERNIST THEORY

Answer 17

says family’s whatever arrangement those involved choose to call their family

Question 18

GIDENS- POSTMODERNISTS THEORY

Answer 18

family diversity leads to freedom of choice but greater instability- families are transformed by equality of genders and greater choice. This is because of:

• contraception- intimacy rather than reproduction
• women have more equality
• pure relationships
• same sex couples create more democratic, equal relationships & family types- less influenced by traditions

Question 19

GIDENS- Pure Relationships

Answer 19

couple chooses family structure based on their needs instead of tradition, sense of duty or for their kids sake

Question 20

WATSON- POSTMODERNISTS THEORY

Answer 20

found that same sex couples create supportive families of choice that function in the same way as traditionals

Question 21

BECK- POST MODERNISTS THEORY

Answer 21

• family diversity caused by greater gender equality and greater individualism (motivated by self interest)
• we live in a risk society so we turn to family for security but this isn’t guaranteed as relationships can end quickly–> zombie families

Question 22

BECK- POST MODERNISTS THEORY- ZOMBIE FAMILY

Answer 22

family that appears to be alive but is dead as it cant provide security as its unstable

Question 23

INDIVIDUALISATION THEORY- GIDDENS AND BECK

Answer 23

• emphasise importance of individuals choice on families
• in the past family life and its members roles were influenced by social factors, but now theres freedom of choice
• weve become disembedded from traditional roles

Question 24

INDIVIDUALISATION THEORY- BECK

Answer 24

standard biography (preset life course people would follow) is replaced with a DIY biography (people have a choice of how to live)