Family Diversity

• What is the current trend in family patterns in the UK?

  Increased family diversity
• What type of family is becoming less common in the UK?

  Households containing a nuclear family
• How do Functionalism and the New Right view modern society's family structure?

  As fixed, clear-cut, and predictable
• What does Parsons mean by 'functional fit' between the nuclear family and modern society?

  The nuclear family meets modern society's needs
• What are the two 'irreducible functions' of the nuclear family according to Parsons?

  Primary socialisation of children and stabilisation of adult personalities
• How does the Functionalist view generalize about family types in modern society?

  It sees the nuclear family as the norm
• What is the New Right's perspective on family diversity?

  They oppose it and favor the nuclear family
• What do the New Right believe about the traditional nuclear family?

  It is the only normal family type
• What do the New Right see as harmful to children in lone-parent families?

  Lone mothers cannot discipline properly
• What does Benson argue about the stability of married couples compared to cohabiting couples?

  Married couples are more stable
• Why does Benson believe marriage is more stable than cohabitation?

  Marriage requires deliberate commitment
• What do New Right thinkers argue is necessary to prevent social disintegration?

  A return to traditional values, including marriage
• What does Smart (2011) suggest about the rate of cohabitation among poorer social groups?

  Poverty may cause relationship breakdowns
• What do feminists argue about the nuclear family?

  It keeps women financially dependent on men
• What does Chester identify as the important change in family structure?

  Shift to the neo-conventional family
• What characterizes a neo-conventional family according to Chester?

  A dual-earner family with both spouses working
• What does Chester argue about people's choices regarding family types?

  Most aspire to the nuclear family
• What are the five types of family diversity identified by the Rapoports?

  Organisational, cultural, social class, life-stage, generational
• What does organisational diversity refer to?

  Differences in how family roles are organized
• How does cultural diversity manifest in family structures?

  Different cultural groups have varying family structures
• What does social class diversity indicate about family structures?

  Income differences affect family structures
• What is life-stage diversity?

  Family structures differ by life cycle stage
• What does generational diversity reflect?

  Different attitudes across age groups
• How do postmodernists view family structures?

  They see them as fragmented and diverse
• What are the advantages of greater family diversity according to some writers?

  More freedom to choose personal relationships
• What are the disadvantages of greater family diversity?

  Increased risk of relationship instability
• How does Stacey view the impact of freedom and choice on women?

  It has benefited women by reducing oppression
• What type of family did Stacey identify that is connected by divorce?

  Divorce extended family
• What does the individualisation thesis suggest about traditional social structures?

  They have lost influence over individuals
• What has transformed family and marriage according to Giddens?

  Greater choice and equality between genders
• What is the 'pure relationship' as described by Giddens?

  Based on individual choice and equality
• How does Beck describe the current family structure?

  As a 'zombie family' lacking stability
• What do Smart and May argue about the individualisation thesis?

  It exaggerates individual choice in relationships
• What does the connectedness thesis emphasize?

  Choices are made within social networks
• How do class and gender structures affect relationship choices?

  They limit options for relationships and identities
• What does May argue about the reshaping of social structures?

  They are being re-shaped, not disappearing
• How does the personal life perspective view family diversity?

  As influenced by social structures and choices