post-modernism

• fragmentation


  -society now a mix of cultures & lifestyles
• technological change


  -communications technology has removed physical barriers to many forms of relationships
• rise of consumer culture & individual choice


  -people expect freedom of choice when comes to what they purchase

  -more free to choose whether to marry, break up, stay single
• globalisation


  -people able to travel to see long distance partners

  -able to speak to partner when apart
• gender norms & diversity

  -more acceptable of people to openly be in diverse couples / family types

  -people no longer afraid / hide relationships

  -no more laws in UK on couples
• technological change & media saturation

  -fertility treatment allows families to have children without sex

  -media means more couples can communicate through the internet
• rapid social change


  -more opportunities for people to be with who they like
• Judith Stacey- postmodern families 


  -family diversity > greatly benefitting women

  -allowed them to free themselves from patriarchal oppression

  -study found women have been main agents of change in family

  -reject tradition of housewife & choose varied life paths
• Judith Stacey - divorce extended families


  -many women make & maintain social connections

  -with people they met through relationships that've ended
• individualisation thesis

  -previously > lives predetermined to abide by these structures

  -now become 'disembedded' from traditional expectations

  -have complete freedom of choice
• pure relationship


  -relationships no longer defined by law / out of necessity

  -now by choice
• negociated relationship

  -equality & individualism created this

  -varies according to each members wishes

  -undermines nuclear patriarchal family

  > greater gender equality

  > greater individualism