Theoretical Views of Family Diversity

• Family Diversity is Not Desirable - Functionalism:

  > Parsons - the nuclear family is ideal because it meets the needs of modern society, socialises children and stabilises adult personalities

  > all other family types are inadequate because they are less able to perform the functions required by the family
• Family Diversity is Not Desirable - New Right:

  > family diversity is a threat to society - they are the cause of social problems, such as higher crime rates and educational failure

  > lone parent families cannot socialise their children correctly, and create a dependency culture by relying on the welfare state
• Family Diversity is a Good Thing - Postmodernism:

  > Stacey - changes in the position of women have increased family diversity

  > she found that women are the main agents of change in the family, so are creating family types that are better suited to their choice to work, return to education, divorce and re-marry - divorce extended family

  > families are shaped based on how people choose to live their lives and the meanings that people give to their family relationships
• Family Diversity is a Good Thing - Individualisation Thesis:

  > we have become disembedded from traditional roles because there are fewer certainties, leaving us with increased choice and freedom to choose our lifestyles

  > Beck's 'negotiated family' - the role and expectations of each family member vary depending on the needs of each family
• There is not that much Family Diversity:

  > Chester - the extent and importance of family diversity has been exaggerated - the nuclear family has changed to the neo-conventional family, in which both spouses work and the division of labour is more equal and shared - most people still marry, have children and live in a neo-conventional family

  > more people cohabit, but this is a stepping stone

  > single-person households are either elderly widows or young or divorced people that aspire to live in a nuclear family