TOPIC 6

• Functionalism: Parsons states theres a functional fit between the nuclear family and modern society for the primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities which contribute to the effectiveness of society = nuclear family with a division of labour between husband and wife
• The new right have a conservative and anti-feminist perspective on the family, they believe that there is only one correct family type (nuclear)

  They see lone parent families as harmful to children

  • lone mothers can't discipline their children properly
  • lone mothers means sons don't have role models
  • likely to be poorer = burden on welfare state and taxpayers
• Cohabitation versus marriage:

  The new right claim the main cause of lone parent families is the collapse of relationships between cohabiting couples - Benson 15 thousand babies - first 3 years - breakdown was much higher in cohabiting couples 20% - he states couples are more stable when married
• New rights arguments support the view that family and society are broken - that only a return to traditional values (marriage) can prevent social disintegration

  • laws - such as easy access to divorce, welfare benefits - Benson argues the Gov needs to encourage couples to marry - meaning policies that support marriage
• Criticisms of the new right

  • Oakley = they assume that husband and wives roles are fixed by biology, their view is negative against feminist campaign for women's equality
  • Feminists argue their view of the nuclear is based on patriarchal and gender inequality, preventing women working and leaving them to rely on men
  • criticisms against the view that marriage equals commitment and cohabiting doesn't
• Chester - the neo-conventional family = nuclear family but a dual earner family
• The Rapoports: 5 Types of family diversity -

  • Rhona and Rapoport - diversity is the most important to understand families today, we moved from nuclear to different family types
  • Rapoports see diversity as a positive response to peoples different needs and wishes
• Rapoports 5 different types of family diversity:

  • ORGANISATIONAL DIVERSITY - Differences in family roles
  • CULTURAL DIVERSITY - Different cultural, religious or ethnic backgrounds have different family structures
  • SOCIAL CLASS DIVERSITY - Income differences between different social classes
  • LIFE-STAGE DIVERSITY - structure differs according to stage reached in life cycle
  • GENERATIONAL DIVERSITY - different generations have different attitudes and experiences
• Postmodernists: Cheal - family structures have fragmented into many different types, allowing individuals to have more choice:

  • give greater freedom to plot their own life (family and relationship that meets their needs)
  • But greater freedom of choice in relationships means a greater risk of instability (more likely to breakup)
• Stacey: postmodern families -

  greater freedom and choice has benefitted women from traditional patriarchy. Her case studies showed that women have been the main cause of family changes rather then men (e.g rejecting housewife stereotype and staying in education)
• The individualisation thesis: Giddins and Beck

  It argues traditional structures such as class, gender and family have lost influence - today people have fewer fixed roles to follow and have become freed from traditional roles and structures - which have influences on the family relationships & diversity
• Giddins: Choice and equality - family and marriage have transformed because:

  • contraception has allowed sex rather than reproduction as the main reason for a relationship
  • women have gained independence - greater opportunities in education and work
• The pure relationship: (GIDDINS) A relationship that is based on individual choice and equality, not bounded by traditional norms, solely on satisfying each others needs. Partners stay together because of love and attraction but with more choice, relationships become less stable
• Same sex couples as pioneers: Giddins - sees them as leading the way towards new family types because they aren't influenced by traditional relationships
• Beck: The negotiated family - due to more choice we now live in a 'risk society' due to greater gender equality and greater individualism leading to the negotiated family - don't conform to traditional but vary according to wishes of members - more equal
• The zombie family - it appears to be alive but is actually dead - people want it to have security in an insecure world
• Criticisms of the individualisation thesis

  • exaggerates choice, Budgeon stated that traditional norms haven't weakened as much as claimed
  • ignores the fact decisions and choices are made in a social context not independent
  • it ignores structure features such as patriarchal gender norms in shaping our relationship choices
• The conectedness thesis: (Smart) our choices aren't just independent, they are influenced by personal histories
• Class and gender - THE CONNECTEDNESS THESIS:

  • E.G after a divorce gender norms influence the choice that women should have custody over the children
  • Men are better paid then women so give them greater freedom
  • powerlessness of women and children means they lack freedom to choose
• The power of structures:

  May - argues the structures aren't disappearing, they are restructuring