Postmodernity and the family

• postmodernity

  • 1970 to present
  • Globalisation
  • Expansion and importance of media technologies.
  • A fragmented and dynamic world.
  • Work
  • fashion
  • music
  • A consumer society.
  • Cultural diversity and increased choice.
  • No longer a 'single objective truth'- subjectivity.
• What's caused the emergence of postmodernity?

  • Globalisation
  • The idea that people are becoming interconnected across national boundaries and barriers between societies are disappearing.
• Individualisation thesis= traditional social structures such as class, gender and family have lost influence over people; they no longer follow traditions and pursue their own self-interests.
• Two key characteristics of a postmodern society:

  1. Diversity and fragmentation.
  2. Rapid social change.
• Beck (1992)

  • Peoples lives are no longer dictated by social norms and they are free to make their own decisions.
  • Traditional patriarchal family structures have been undermined by individualism and greater gender equality.
  • This has led to 'negotiated families', which do not conform to traditional family norms and structures and where expectations and desires of the family are met through negotiation.
  • The relationship is formed on an equal basis.
  • The 'do-it yourself' biography which individuals construct for themselves.
• Stacey (1998)

  • Greater choice and freedom has benefitted women; they are able to leave patriarchal structures and oppression and choose their own lives and families to meet their needs.
  • INDIVIDUALISM!
  • Conducted interviews with people in California, to construct a postmodern case study of family life.
  • Women have been the most agents of change within family structures.
• Stacey (1998)

  • Women are increasingly rejecting the roles of the traditional housewife and are pursuing and adopting other lifepaths.
  • Pursuit of education.
  • Pursuit of careers.
  • Divorce/remarriage.
  • Individualism.
  • Identified a new family type- 'the divorce-extended family'.
  • A family who are connected by divorce and not by marriage.
• Stacey (1998)

  • In 'divorce-extended families' it was common for members to help each other domestically and financially according to their changing needs.
  • This demonstrates the diversity and negotiated nature of postmodern families.
• Weeks (1999)

  • Identified a long-term shift in attitudes towards family structures since the 1950s.
  • Sexual morality is determined by individual choice.
  • Secularisation.
  • Growing acceptance of LGBTQ+.
  • Shift in attitudes does not mean changes to what can be considered 'traditional' patterns:
  • Most children are raised by couples.
  • Most people live in families rather than alone.
  • Most people marry, and remarry if divorced.
• Weeks (1999)

  • Especially critical of the New Right.
  • Family diversity and sexual diversity are now widespread throughout society and are now normalised and widely accepted as fact.
  • The New Right's persistent opposition to family diversity is a battle they cannot win.
• Postmodernists are in favour of family diversity and reject the idea that the nuclear family is the ideal or preferred type.
• 'Family' is whatever people may choose to call it; the rigid social structures which once dictated individual behaviour no longer applies, or is less influential; 'family' is socially constructed.