FAH - T6 - FAMILY DIVERSITY

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  • FAH - T6 - FAMILY DIVERSITY
    • Modernism + nuclear family
      • Functionalism
        • Parsons: functional fit = mobile workforce. Nuclear family perform 4 essential functions
          • nuclear family with division of labour = dominant
        • any other type of family = dysfunctional
      • society = clear cut structures, family slot into this
      • The New Right
        • clear cut correct family type - patriarchal
          • natural because of biological differences making family harmonious in society
        • oppose social change and other types of family - e.g. cohabit, gay, lone mother
          • lone mother = harmful to children. Cannot discipline, no role model = educational failure, burden on state
          • Benson: cohabitation versus marriage: cohabit breakup rate higher than divorce - brings lone mothers - lack marriage stability + cohabiting allows lack of commitment
          • government need to encourage marriage policy
        • Oakley: supports patriarchy and ignores variation of family roles
        • Personal life: doesn't look at meanings of cohabit
      • Chester: Neo-conventional family
        • only important change is from conventional family (new right division of labour) to neo conventional (both play instrumental role). Nuclear family = dominant ideal
      • The Rapoports: 5 types of family diversity
        • diversity = positive response in society to show individuals greater freedom - move away from trad. nuclear fam
        • 1. organisational diversity
          • roles organised - some conjugal, some seperated
        • 2. cultural
          • different cultures. - Asian fam - extended.
        • 3 social class
          • different income affects structure
        • 4 life stage
          • retired - and grown up children
        • 5 generational
          • old and young reflect history lived in. Different views on cohabit
    • Post modernism
      • Cheal: no dominant nuclear family type - no singular choice in society - all have freedom for diversity
        • greater freedom brings risk of instability
      • Stacey: post modern families
        • diversity brings women freedom from patriarchy. Her study in USA found women changed family type, not men. Rejected trad. role and returned to education
          • women divorce young and form relatonship with husbands new wife - help each other - diverse chocies
        • Morgan: pointless to make generalisations about family - family is defined by all differently.
      • Giddens and Beck: Individualisation thesis
        • people free from rules of society - trad. social structures (gender, class) have lost influence
          • we are 'disembedded': no rules to follow - e.g. not everyone has to get married.
        • Giddens: choice and equality
          • equality between genders: women can now use contraception for intimate sex, not reproductive.
          • argues lack of laws and rules allows personal choice - easy divorce and marriage before kids no stigma = no need to stay together if unhappy
            • [the pure relationship] - coupless together out of love not duty - no trad. rules
              • rolling contract - means either partner can end at any time
            • [same sex couples as pioneers] - create own family structure with no gender rules to follow. Giddens argue leads to diversity
        • Beck: the neogotiated family
          • trad. rules dictate behaviour - now people aware of risks of society - take chances.
          • [neogotiated family] = do not conform to trad. family norms - personal to all members needs
            • N.F come from trends in overcoming patriarchy: women expect equality (at work) and have more self-interest. (greater individualism)
            • less stable - members are free to leave if necessary
        • Personal lfie perspective: Smart and May
          • exaggerates how much choice we all have today iin society - ignores non weakened norms
          • sees people as free floating/disembedded. Ignores fact decisoins made in social context
          • ignores importance of structural inequality - class and gender shape choice
          • May: B + G view is idealised of white M/C man. Not all have same ability/ opportunity
          • Smart: Connectedness thesis
            • fundamental social beings - choices always made in web of connectedness. No limitless choice - live  within networks of existing history relationships
            • look at individual context - e.g. divorced parents connected by children. Impossible to just end relationship
            • Power of structures: not dissapearing as B + G argue, but are reshaping. E.g. women can now vote, divorce, education - but do not have it all
              • lesbianism - women can have male careers but expected to be straight - lesbians remain in closet
            • personal life: emphasises diversity being shaped by structural frs which can restrict choices

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