Family diversity

• What where the five distinct elements of family diversity in britain, that Rapoport and Rapoport found?

  • organisational diversity: family structures, household types etc
  • Cultural diversity: different ethnic origins; religious beliefs.
  • Social class diversity: upper,middle and working class families.
  • Life cycle: dependent on your stage in life will depend on what family type your in.
  • Cohort: the period as to when the family members are born will lead to diff family types.
• what are the reasons for the increase in family diversity?

  • seculerisation
  • Norms and attitudes changing
  • changing gender roles/women’s positions
  • Welfare support from the state
  • migration/increase in variety of cultures in Britain.
• what is LAT?


  living apart together
• ethnicity and family diversity: Ballard 1982?

  found extended family ties provided an important source of support among Asian migrants during the 1950s and 60s.

  the extended family often more highly valued in these communities; relatives often live nearby.
• ethnicity: Misra?


  argued high rate of lone parent families occurs more in the British black Caribbean community, reflecting the high value that black women place on independence.
• ethnicity: Beck-Gernsheim?


  says that multi-cultural families help to break down barriers between different ethnic groups.
• reconstituted families: ferri and smith?

  step families are very similar to first families in all major respects, and that the involvement of stepparents in childcare and childrearing is a positive one. However, they found step families have greater risk of poverty.
• What is family diversity?

  The variety of family types and structures that exist in society, reflecting differences in culture, ethnicity, lifestyle, and social norms.
• What are the key types of family diversity identified by sociologists?

  • Organizational diversity: Differences in how families are structured (e.g., nuclear, extended, single-parent).
  • Cultural diversity: Family patterns vary across ethnic and cultural groups.
  • Social class diversity: Differences in family life based on income and occupation.
  • Life-stage diversity: Family structures change over the life course (e.g., newlyweds, empty nesters).
  • Generational diversity: Different attitudes to family life across generations.
• What do Functionalists say about family diversity?

  • Functionalists argue that the nuclear family is the ideal type because it performs essential functions for society.
  • Parsons: Other family types are considered less effective at fulfilling these functions (e.g., primary socialization, stabilizing adult personalities).
• How do the New Right view family diversity?

  • The New Right is critical of family diversity, particularly single-parent and same-sex families.
  • They see the nuclear family as essential for social stability and argue that other family types lead to social problems (e.g., crime, dependency on welfare).
• What is the Marxist view on family diversity?

  • Marxists believe that family structures are shaped by the needs of capitalism.
  • Diversity in family forms reflects the ways different groups adapt to the inequalities of capitalism.
• How do Feminists view family diversity?

  • Feminists see family diversity as a positive development that allows for more equality and freedom, especially for women.
  • They argue that traditional family forms (e.g., the nuclear family) often perpetuate patriarchy.
• What is the Postmodernist perspective on family diversity?

  • Postmodernists celebrate family diversity, arguing it reflects increased choice and individual freedom in modern society.
  • Stacey: Argues that family structures are fluid and change to suit individual needs (e.g., "divorce-extended families").
• What does Giddens say about family diversity?

  • Giddens highlights the concept of "pure relationships," where individuals choose to be in relationships based on love and satisfaction rather than traditional norms.
  • This has led to greater diversity in family forms.
• What is Beck’s view on family diversity?

  • Beck suggests we live in a "risk society" where traditional norms have weakened.
  • People now create "negotiated families" that suit their own needs rather than conforming to societal expectations.
• What is the Rapoports' view on family diversity?

  The Rapoports argue that family diversity is a central feature of modern society and should be celebrated. They identified five types of diversity: organizational, cultural, social class, life-stage, and generational.
• What is Chester’s view on family diversity?

  Chester acknowledges increased diversity but argues that the nuclear family is still the most common and important family type. He calls it the "neo-conventional family," where both partners may work.
• What are the main trends contributing to family diversity?

  • Increase in divorce rates.
  • Decline in marriage rates.
  • Rise in cohabitation.
  • Growth in same-sex families and single-parent households.
  • Immigration and cultural diversity.
• What factors have led to the increase in family diversity?

  • Secularization: Decline in religious influence allows for alternative family structures.
  • Changing norms: Greater acceptance of varied lifestyles and relationships.
  • Feminism: Women's independence has enabled diverse family forms.
  • Economic changes: Class and income differences affect family structure.
  • Postmodernism: Emphasis on choice and individuality.