Postmodernist Views on Family

• Postmodernist views on the nuclear family

  Postmodernists argue that we should look at family as a fluid and changing concept. Therefore, they disagree with theories such as functionalism, which argues that there is one 'ideal' or 'normal' family type (the nuclear family). It also disagrees with theories such as Marxism, which makes generalisations about families.
• Postmodernist views on family diversity

  Postmodernist theorists claim that family is unique for everyone and that family dynamics or interactions cannot (and should not) be generalised.

  This is evident in the increase in alternative family types, such as:

  single-parent families

  reconstituted families

  same-sex parent families
• Postmodernist views on divorce

  Sociologist John Bernades argues that in cases of domestic violence, stress, health issues, or general dissatisfaction, divorce may actually help to alleviate problems that appear with remaining married. In this way, divorce may be a solution.
• Changes in attitudes to romantic and sexual relationships

  Postmodernists argue that due to changes in attitudes towards romantic and sexual connections, the importance of family life has changed.

  Due to the declining stigma attached to premarital sex and relationships in the West, individuals have more opportunities to 'find the one' and explore different partnerships before settling down to marry. Individuals are therefore more experienced and have higher standards for marriage, compared to more traditional times.
• Child-free lifestyles


  Many people, especially women, are now leading child-free lifestyles, which means they choose not to have children. They are likely to characterise family in other ways - they may refer to their romantic partners, immediate family, other relatives or friends.

  There are several reasons why individuals decide against having children, including:

  the rising costs of raising children

  concerns about raising children in unstable environments, such as during economic crises or climate change

  they want to focus on their career

  it may simply not appeal to them!
• Changes in medical technology

  Relatively recent changes in medical technology have allowed for greater freedom to control fertility and reproduction. Medical advancements include:

  IVF

  egg and sperm freezing

  surrogacy

  test-tube babies

  hormonal treatment for infertility

  embryo transplants

  Not only do these advancements allow for greater reproductive choice for people overall, but they also create opportunities for single, gay or older individuals to have families without assuming traditional nuclear family structures.
• Judith Stacey: "Divorce-extended family"


  In particular, Judith Stacey (1998) highlights the increased freedom enjoyed by women to create their own family structures in postmodern times. She identified the "divorce-extended family", a family type where family members are connected through divorce, not marriage.
• Carol Smart: The Sociology of Personal Life


  Sociologist Carol Smart (2007) argues that we should study relationships using the lens of 'personal life' rather than 'family', as the former is a more neutral term.

  The term is broad enough to consider all types of personal relationships that may not fall under the narrow scope of 'family' but are still very meaningful to people.

  She argues that relationships can go beyond biological relations or connections through marriage.
• Tamara Harevan: Life Course Analysis


  Social historian Tamara Harevan (2000) states it is important to consider individuals' life courses instead of their families. This involves studying people's choices throughout their lives as they experience key events such as marriage, parenthood, divorce, or the death of a loved one.

  The argument is that individuals will experience and move through several family types or relationships throughout their lifetime. Harevan argues it is important to study the meanings people give to these life events.
• Criticisms - metanarratives


  Although postmodernist theorists claim to be against the use of metanarratives, postmodernism itself has been claimed to be a metanarrative, as they make generalisations about the fluidity and modern nature of society.
• Criticisms - Late modernity

  Late modernist sociologists such as Anthony Giddens and Ulrich Beck claim that we are not yet in a postmodernist society; therefore, we still retain a lot of elements of modernist family patterns and experiences. We are not as 'free' to make choices as suggested by postmodernism as we are still in late modern society.
• Criticisms - Nuclear Family

  Robert Chester asserts that the nuclear family type is still dominant. Although there is increased family diversity, postmodernist claims are exaggerated.