Family diversity

• Morgan - postmodernism


  we cannot make generalisations because family is whatever the members define it as
• 2 key characteristics of postmodernity

  1- diversity and fragmentation

  2- rapid social change - less predictable
• New Right view of family diversity


  oppose it and argue the nuclear family is natural as is the only family type that can adequately socialise children
• Benson


  Found that in the first 3 years of a baby's life, the rate of family breakdown was 20% in cohabiting families but only 6% in marriages. Family diversity = instability
• Robert Chester - neo-conventional family


  Argues that the increases in family diversity are not very significant and the only important change is from the conventional to the neo-conventional (symmetrical) family.

  Most people want to live in a nuclear family and have at some point in their life.
• The Rapoport's 5 types of family diversity


  1- organisational diversity

  2- cultural diversity

  3- social class diversity

  4- life stage diversity

  5- generational diversity
• Stacey


  Family diversity has freed women from patriarchal nuclear families

  Divorce-extended family - people are connected by divorce and may help financially or domestically, especially if children involved
• Giddens and Beck's individualisation thesis


  There are fewer fixed roles to follow so people have choice of family
• Reasons for increased choice

  contraception, women's gained independence

  Decline of tradition (seculaisation)

  less stigma
• Gidden's 'pure relationship'


  Relationships now based on choice and only exist to satisfy each partner's needs so only survive as long as it is in their interest. Relationships become less stable = increased family diversity
• Weston's view of same-sex couples


  Create a supportive family of choice. Not influenced by traditional gender roles so they negotiate personal roles and lead to more symmetrical conjugal roles
• Beck's negotiated families


  Do not conform to the traditional family norm, but decide what is best by negotiation. They enter the relationship on an equal basis and are free to leave if their needs are not meet
• Beck's zombie family


  Appears to be alive but is actually dead and cannot provide a safe haven due to its own instability.
• Smart and May - Personal life perspective


  Criticise Beck and Giddens on the grounds that traditional norms haven't weakened as much as they claim and they ignore social class or gender inequalities that limit relationship choices
• Smart's connectedness thesis


  Our choices of relationships are made within a web of connectedness which influences our range of choice.
• Finch and Mason connectedness thesis


  family connections and obligations limit choice. e.g. divorced parents remain linked by children.
• May's structural factors in choice


  class, gender and family are not disappearing but being re-shaped. There are changes to norms but expectations still exist
• Einasdot


  Lesbians are now tolerated but heteronormativity means they may feel pressured to remain in the closet which limits their life choices