Personal Life Perspective

• Personal Life Perspective

  This is an action theory, which criticises structural theories and takes a micro approach. Structural approaches all believe that our behaviour is shaped by society. They also fail to acknowledge family diversity.
• 2 Structural perspectives weaknesses

  • They assume that the traditional nuclear family is the dominant family type.
  • They assume that families and their members are 'passive puppets' manipulated by the structure of society.
• Beyond ties of blood and marriage

  The personal life perspective takes a wider view of relationships than ties just beyond blood and marriage. For example, a woman may not feel close to her sister and refuse to help her in a time of crisis. But at the same time she would help care for someone who she is not related to.
• Different types of family

  • Relationships with friends - they may be like a 'brother' or 'sister' to you
  • Fictive kin - Close friends who are treated as relatives
  • Gay + Lesbian and 'chosen' families - Supportive network to close friends, who aren't related by blood or marriage
  • Relationships with dead relatives - Who live on in people's memories and continue to shape identities
  • Relationships with pets - Family members see pets as family
• Nordqvist and Smart

  They found that some parents emphasise the importance of social relationships over genetic ones in forming family bonds. E.g. the mother of an egg-conceived child, defined being a mum in terms of the time and effort she put into raising her daughter.
• Differences in Appearance

  Differences in appearance may lead to parents wondering what their donor's identity, possible 'donor siblings' and whether these counted as family for their child. Parents who know the donor's identity may wonder if the donor's parents counted as grandparents.
• Lesbian Couples

  Problems for lesbian couples may have concerns between the genetic and non-genetic mothers and that the donor may be treated as the 'real' second parent.
• Personal Life Perspective Evaluation

  The personal life perspective can be accused of taking too broad a view. They may be criticised for ignoring what is special about relationships that are based on blood or marriage.