Family Diversity

• symmetrical family is where there are joint conjugal roles shared equally (Willmott and Young)
• Traditional Extended Family is where more than 2 generations live in the same house
• Neo-conventional family is the 'modern nuclear family' where women now work. a heterosexual monogomous couple with biological children. (Chester).
• Empty shell family is where the couple has fallen out of love but stay married for the children.
• Single/lone parent family is where there is one adult at home looking after the children
• nuclear family is where a homosexual monogomous couple are married with biological children. the men work and women are housewives.
• same sex family is where the couple are in a homosexual relationship
• reconstituted/ blended families are whereone or both adults have children from previous relationships living with them
• LAT family is when the partners live apart together, usually for work. they may have two homes.
• modified extended family is where multiple generations live seperately but have close connections
• cohabiting couple is where a couple lives together but are not married
• empty nest family is where the children have moved out
• beanpole family is where families are smaller due to the decrease in children needed
• divorce extended family is when members are connected by divorce rather than marriage, for example ex in-laws, or former husband’s new partners.
• in there an increase of family diversity (decline of nuclear families)? Yes - Stacey pic'n'mix family, divorce extended family, Giddens, individualisation, confluent love, pure relationship, Feminism, divorce law changes
• in there an increase of family diversity (decline of nuclear families)? no - chester, neo-conventional family, weeks, chaos and uncertainty.
• is family diversity good for society? yes - feminists, escape oppression from marriage, the increase of different family types benefit women e.g. Matrilocal families Greer. DObash and Dobash believe marriage is used to legitimise domestic violence. Postmodernists, increased choice. policy changes reflect this- Gay marriage and Adoption Act. Stacey pic'n'mix, divorce extended. Late modernists.
• is family diversity good for society?- no - New Right- the traditional values are under threat causing different social problems such as crime and educational failure. Murray, overgenerous state has removed individual responsibility and has led to a dependency culture and lazy underclass. Dennis and Erdos, fatherless families cause young boys to miss out on socialisation that a male role model brings. functionists, Parsons Warm Bath, Murdock RESS