Topic 3- Families And Households Flashcards
What are modernist perspectives?
New right and functionalists
What are functionalists view on family?
Parsons- sees the nuclear family as providing the best fit for modern society, it meets the needs of the division of labour between men and women.
Men take an instrumental role- breadwinner
Women take an expressive role- raises children and does domestic work
Why do functionalists think the nuclear family is the best fit for society?
1) primary socialisation of children- done more effectively with clear roles given to husband and wife
2) stabilisation of adult personalities- the clear roles keep society functioning effectively.
Parsons believes any other family type is dysfunctional
What does the new right think about family?
They are conservative and anti-feminist and oppose family diversity. Believe the nuclear family is the best for society and natural.
They say family diversity causes problems especially lone parent families, they are harmful to children as:
Lone mothers cant discipline properly, leave boys without male role models, become welfare dependent
What does the new right think about cohab vs marriage?
Believe a big cause of lone-parent families are due to failing cohabs.
Benson- higher rate of family break down in cohab compared to married couples. 20% and 6%
Argues marriage offers further stability as it involves commitment.
What are criticisms of the modernist perspective on families?
Oakley- looks across cultures to see that men and women have different roles.
Feminists- the nuclear family is based off patriarchal oppression
What is the midway theory?
Chester- Recognises there has been some diversity and it isnt negative. Instead we are moving from a traditional family type to a neo-conventional one, such as dual earner families.
Argues family diversity has been exaggerated, people still aspire to be in the nuclear family.
Evidence-
•most people live in house holds headed by a married couple
• most marriages continue until death as some divorces end up remarrying
• cohab leads to marriage
What do the rapoports argue?
They argue that there are 5 types of family diversity.
They believe there is diversity in families and it is positive.
1) organisational- differences in organisation of families ( dual earner or conjugal)
2) cultural- diverse In culture, extended asian families
3) social class- difference in class
4) life stage- how far into the family type are they
5) generational- older and younger generations if family are different
What are post modern perspectives to family diversity?
Cheal- we are now in a chaotic and fragmented postmodern era, with lots of diversity. Giving greater individual choice but more risk to instability.
Stacey- greater freedom and choice has benefited women most, as they break away from patriarchal oppression.
Morgan- generalisations shouldnt be made about families, instead we should look at how people create their own families, criticising fuctionalists
Life course analysis- in depth unstructured interviews, exploring individuals meanings to family
What is the individualisation thesis?
Beck and giddens- Argues that traditional social structures such as class and gender have lost influence over us. Now we are freed and dis-embedded from these traditional roles, allowing us to choose our own life course
What is the pure relationship?
Giddens- the increase in choice and diversity in families is due to:
1) contraception- sex and intimacy over reproduction
2) womens independence- have more opportunities
Relationships arnt due to law and tradition anymore but choice and satisfaction:
1) exists to satisfy partners
2) only survives if it serves both peoples interests- unstable
3) stay together due to love not duty
Giddens- same sex couples are leading towards equality, as they havent been influenced by tradition the way heterosexuals have
Weston- same sex couples created families of choice from friends, lovers or kin.
What does beck add to the individualisation thesis?
He argues we now live in a ‘risk society,’ where tradition has less influence. He identifies 2 changes that undermines traditional families:
1) greater gender equality- challenged male domination
2) greater individualisation- choices based on self-interest
These result in a new family type called the ‘negotiated family’
What are criticisms of individualisation thesis?
It exaggerates level of choice, we are still limited by tradition
Ignores structural factors such as class and patriarchy
What is the connectedness thesis?
Smart- we live within the networks of existing relationships thats influence our decisions. Within a web of connectedness, and networks of existing relationships that strongly influence our decisions.
Explain power structures
Beck and giddens- argue that structures that dictated our behaviour have disappeared, however may argues that they have been reshaped, for example, women’s improvements doesnt mean they have it all
