Individualisation Thesis

• Giddens and Beck 2001/02
• Individualisation Thesis: traditional social structures (class, gender and family) have lost influence over us rather social actos have fewer certainties or fixed roles to follow
• We have become disembedded from traditional roles or structures
• Beck 1992: 'standard biography' (life course) has been replaced by 'do it yourself biography'
• Standard Biography analysis strengths:

  1. focuses on what family members deem important - subjective
  2. very suitable for postmodern or 'late modern' society due to greater diversity and more choice surrounding relationships