postmodernism

• identity in modernity 


  -identity determined by societal structures (class, age, gender, ethnicity)

  -things also determined interests, hobbies & occupation

  -identity was fixed & unchangible
• view

  -no longer live in 'modern' society with predictable, orderly structures like nuclear family

  -society entered new, chaotic, postmodern stage

  -no one single, dominant, stable family structure

  -family structures become fragmented into many different types and individuals have more choice in their lifestyles, relationships & family arrangements
• advantage of greater choice & diversity


  -gives individual greater freedom to plot own life course

  -choose kind of family & relationships that meet their needs
• disadvantage of greater choice & diversity


  -greater freedom of choice in relationships means a greater risk of instability

  > relationships are more likely to break up