Families topic 6

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Modernism and the nuclear family- functionalism
Parsons argues there’s a functional fit between the nuclear family and modern society due to them being a geographically and socially mobile work force and performing 2 functions : primary socilistation and stabilisation of of adult personalities these contribute to overall stability of society
Modernism and the nuclear family- functionalism p2
Parsons
Therefore, because of the families ability to perform these functions, we can generalise about the type of family we will find in modern society (nuclear family), other families will be seen as dysfunctional as their less able to perform the functions of the family that are needed
Modernism and the nuclear family- new right
Opposed family diversity and believe there’s only one normal family type (nuclear) with a clearcut division of male breadwinner and female housewife, similar to functionalist, instrumental/expressive roles
they see the nuclear family as a cornerstone of society+ see marriage as essential for social stability. So reject changes in family patterns like cohab, lone parents ect
They see lone parents as especially bad and harmful to kids, because lone parent Mum can’t discipline properly, it leaves boys without a male role= delinquency
Modernism and the nuclear family-cohabitation V marriage (NR)
New right claim the main cause of lone parent families is the collapse of cohabitation couples
benson found right a family breakdown in first three years of babies. Life was higher in cohabiting couples. He said couples are more stable when married rate of divorce is lower than break up of cohabiting families.
He argues marriage is more stable because it requires deliberate commitment, but cohabitation allows couples to avoid commitment and responsibility
Modernism and the nuclear family- cohabitation V marriage (NR) p2
Nr think societies, broken, and only a return to traditional values Including value of marriage will prevent social disintegration, they view, laws, and policies, such as easy access to divorce, gay marriage ect as undermining the conventional family
Modernism and the nuclear family- criticisms of the New Right
Okley Augies, the new, right falsely, assume that husbands and wives roles are fixed by biology. She believes the new right view of family is a negative reaction against the feminist campaign
Feminist also argued the nuclear family, which the new right like oppresses women, prevents women from working, making them financially dependent on men
Rate of cohabitation is higher in poor groups. It may be poverty that breaks down relationships rather than the decision not to marry.
Modernism and the nuclear family- Chester Neo-conventional family
Recognises increased family diversity but argues the only important change is a move from nuclear family to neo conventional family which he describes as a dual earner family
Apart from this, he sees no other major changes
He argues most people aren’t choosing to live in alternatives to nuclear family. The nuclear family is still the dream
Modernism and the nuclear family- Chester, neo-conventional family p2 
As evidence of his view has changed, he identified a number of patterns: most adults marry, and have kids, most kids are reared by their natural parents, most people live in a household, headed by a married couple, most marriages continue till death
Modernism and the nuclear family- the rapoports- 5 types of family diversity
Rapoports argue, understanding family diversity is key to understanding society, they believe we have moved away from the nuclear family to a range of different families
They argue families have adapted to puristic society where lifestyles and culture are more diverse
They see family diversity as positive as it represents greater freedom and choice
Modernism and the nuclear family- the rapoprt: five types of family diversity
they identify five different types of family diversity
organisational, referring to how roles are organised segregated/conjugal
Culture, diversity, different cultures, religions, ethnic groups have different family structures e.g. black women are often lone parents
Social class, diversity, different classes, different information structures, different roles and child rearing practices
Life stage, family structures differ, according to life stage reached newlyweds, couples with dependent kids
Modernism and the nuclear family- the rapoports: five types of family diversity p2
5. Generational diversity, older/younger generations, have different attitudes, and experiences they’ve lived through, so many have different views on cohabitation/marriage.
Post modernism and family diversity
Argue societies, no longer fixed, and rigid,
post modernism argues that traditional structures have been broken down as society is now more fluid and categorised by choice, variety and diversity.
They argue there’s no longer one family type there’s lots
And that families have become fragmented
Post modernism and family diversity- Stacey post modern families
Greater freedom and choice has benefited women allowing them to reject patriarchal, oppression and housewife role and shape their family arrangements to meet their needs
She studied postmodern families in California, and found women with the main agents of change in the family. The women she interviewed had rejected. The housewife role worked, did ation, improved job, divorced and remarried, and created new types of family better suited to their needs.
Post modernism and family diversity- stacey: post modern families p2
An example of this is divorce extended families, where ex-wife and new wife help each other out, highlighting how post modern families are very diverse and shape depends on the active choices. People make about how to live their lives.
Post modernism and family diversity- individualisation thesis
Giddens and beck applied post modern ideas about society to understanding family life, they explore the effects of increased individual choice on families and relationships
Individualisation thesis argues traditional society structures such as class, gender and family have lost influence over us.
in the past. Peoples lives were defined by six roles that prevented them from choosing their own life course. E.g. everyone expected to marry and take up their gender role.
Post modernism and family diversity- individualisation thesis P2
In contrast, people now have fewer fixed roles to follow, and we have become freed from traditional roles and structures, leaving us to choose how to live our lives, this has had huge implications for family diversity
Post modernism and family diversity- Giddens, choice and quality
Giddens , family and marriage have been transformed by greater choice and more equal relationships with men and women.
This has occurred because of contraception, allowing sex and intimacy not just kids, women have now got independence due to feminism, giving them education and work.
Therefore, the basis of marriage has changed, in the past people were held together by laws and norms against divorce. Now people are free to define relationships themselves, e.g. not married, divorce, not have kids, not live together ect
Post modernism and family diversity- pure relationship, Giddens
Giddens argues laws, and social norms, no longer hold people together, intimate relationships, are based on trust, choice, and equality, he describes this as a pure relationship which exists solely to satisfy each partners needs, so it’s likely to survive as long as both partners think that it’s in their interests to do so they stay together because of love/happiness, not just for tradition/sake of the kids
Post modernism and family diversity- Giddens, same-sex couples as pioneers 
Giddens sees same-sex relationships as leading the way towards new family types and creating more democratic relationships
because they’re not influenced by tradition as much so I’ve been able to develop relationships based on choice rather than traditional roles which allows them to create family structures that suit their needs
weston found same-sex couples created families of choice amongst friends
Post modernism and family diversity- beck, negotiated family
Beck , we live in a risk society, where tradition has less influence and people have more choice, as a result, were more aware of the risks making choices we consider risks/rewards
This contrast , with the past where peoples roles were fixed by tradition and rigid , social norms dictated how to behave e.g. people expected to marry , men = bread winners , women= housework and look after kids
Although this was traditional patriarchal family was unequal and oppressive. It did provide stable and predictable basis for family life
Post modernism and family diversity- beck: negotiated family p2
Patriarchal family has been undermined by two trends
Greater gender equality, which challenged male domination in all spheres of life
Greater individualism, where peoples actions are influenced by calculations of their own self interest than by a sense of obligation to others
led to a transition to the negotiated family which doesn’t conform the traditional family norm, but very according to the expectations of their members.
enter relationship as equal partners, but less stable as people can leave if they aren’t met.
Post modernism and family diversity- the zombie family
Although people turn to family in hope of security, in reality, relationships are now subject to greater risk and uncertainty
due to this Beck describes the family as a zombie family it appears to be alive. But in reality, it’s dead, people want security, but today’s family can’t provide this because it’s very unstable.
Personal life perspective
Smart and may argue there’s family diversity, but disagree with Beck and Giddens explanations of it,
they make several criticisms of individualisation thesis- it’s wrongly, sees people as dissembebbled, free floating, independent individuals and ignores that our decisions and choices about personal relationships are made within a social context
, it ignores importance of structural factors. E.g. social class and patriarchal gender norms in limiting/shaping relationship choice
Personal life perspective- connectedness thesis
Personal life perspective, propose, an alternative to individualisation thesis
Smart calls this connectedness thesis, instead of seeing us as dissembebbled, isolated individuals with limitless choice about personal relationships,
she argues we are fundamentally social beings whose choices are always made ‘ within a web of connectedness’ we live in a network of existing relationships and into woven personal histories, which strongly influence our range of options and choices in relationships
Personal life perspective- class and gender 
Connectedness thesis also emphasises the role of class and gender structures in which we are embedded, these structures limit our choices about the kinds of relationships, identities, and family’s we can create for ourselves
E.g. men are better paid, giving them greater choice and freedom in relationships, after divorce, gender, norms dictate that the women should have custody of kids which may limit her choice in relationships