family diversity

• Why did Parsons suggest there was a ‘functional fit’ between the nuclear family & modern family?


  The family is uniquely suited for meeting the needs of modern society for a geographically & socially mobile workforce
• Why does the New Right oppose family diversity?

  Holds view there is only one correct family type: the traditional patriarchal nuclear family
• Why are the New Right concerned about the growth of lone parent families?


  They believe that children lack discipline, lack male role model, delinquency, burden on state
• Which sociologist argued that couples are more stable when they are married?

  Benson (2006)
• In what way does the New Right see the family as ‘broken’?


  Divorce, gay marriage, benefits
• Which feminist argued that the New Right assumptions on gender roles being biological is wrong?

  Oakley
• How have New Right views on cohabitation been challenged?

  Trial run, ignores meaning for those in the relationship
• What reason does Smart (2011) give for the higher level of breakdown of relationships in lower social classes?


  Poverty
• Which sociologist came up the concept of the neo-conventional family?

  Chester
• What is the neo-conventional family?


  Dual earner family
• How is family diversity seen to be exaggerated?


  People aim to be in the nuclear family in the life cycle
• Which sociologists identified 5 types of diversity?


  Rapoport and Rapoport
• What are the five types of diversity?

  Organisational, cultural, social, life-stage, generational
• What are the two key features of postmodern society?

  Diversity & fragmentation AND rapid social change
• What negative impact does greater choice have on relationships?


  Choice leads to instability
• Which sociologist argued greater freedom & choice has benefitted women?

  Stacey
• What is the ‘divorce extended family’?

  Members connected by divorce rather than marriage – meets needs of members
• What is the individualisation thesis?

  Argues traditional social structures such as class, gender & family have lost much of their influence. Now free or disembedded from tradition – give more freedom
• Which sociologist makes reference to a ‘do-it-yourself’ biography?

  Beck (1992)
• Which sociologist came up with the concept of ‘pure relationship'?

  Giddens (1992)
• Why are same-sex couples seen as pioneers?


  No gender scripts, families of choice
• What does Beck mean by the ‘negotiated family’?


  Family varies depending on wishes & expectations of members, decide what is best by negotiation
• What is meant by the term zombie family?


  Family appears to be alive but is in reality dead, people want family to be a place of security but in reality it is dead and unstable
• How does Budgen (2011) criticise the individuation thesis?


  Exaggerates the amount of choice people have in relationships, ignores social context of where choices are made, ignores importance of structural factors
• What does Smart mean by the ‘connectedness thesis’?


  Fundamentally social beings with choice made in a web of connectedness
• How does class affect choices in family relationships?

  Those in poverty get trapped in abusive relationships
• How does gender affect choices in family relationships?

  Men have greater freedom, gender norms dictate children stay with woman
• How does May argue that traditional family structures are not disappearing but just being reshaped?


  Great strives in rights of women but they do not ‘have it all’