Family Diversity and patterns
Modernism and Nuclear Family
Functionalism and New Right have been described as 'modernists'
See society as having a fairly fixed, clear cut and predictable structure.
Modernism:
The notion that society is fixed, structured and predictable.
Suggested by perspectives such as functionalism that the Nuclear Family 'fits' this structure better then other types of family structures.
The New Right Thinkers
Lone Parents are un-natural and harmful to society.
Family diversity erodes societies structures and key
The Nuclear family is 'natural' (based on biological difference between males and females).
Traditional Values- Males are breadwinners and females are home-makers.
Females= expressive
Males= Instrumental
Marriage is essential to social stability
Trends in marriage, divorce, same sex couples etc. show that society is breaking down
Charles Murray
Non-traditional family types are to blame for educational failure, high crime rates, low employment and the dependence culture.
Argues that an 'under class' has formed and is to blame for the majority of societies problems.
The 'under class' is made up of lone parent families.
Linking to social policies:
Focuses on reducing benefits and welfare, encouraging marriage and putting pressure on fathers to work to support their families. Above all they encourage traditional values and the nuclear family.
Rapoport and Rapoprt (1982)
5 types of family diversity.
Argue that society is now a 'pluralistic society' where lifestyles and culture are diverse
Organisational Diversity
Referring to how roles are organised.
Cultural diversity
Different cultural, religious and ethnic groups have different family structures.
Social class Diversity
Different classes= Differences in family structure, roles and child rearing practices.
Life stage Diversity
Individuals are likely to experience living in many different family types throughout their lives.
Generational Diversity
Older and younger generations have different attitudes and experiences.
Post-modernism and diversity
Modernism assumes that the social world is fixed, rigid and structured. I.E.- The nuclear family
Trial of thoughts that argues that society is no longer fixed .
Assumes that traditional structures have broken down and that society is much more 'filled' and is characterised by choice, variety and diversity.
Can no longer talk about one type of family I.E.- cereal packet nuclear families but must talk about the diverse nature of families.
Hareven (1978)
No point in talking about 'fixed families' as there is flexibility and variation throughout peoples lives.
Any person can live in several different types of families and households throughout their lives. Families are 'ever-changing'.
Morgan (1996) Family practices
Adds support the life-course analysis argument by highlighting how different families have different practices depending on the attitudes, beliefs and values that individuals hold.
Jeffrey Weeks (1999)
Growth in 'fictive families'
Kath Weston (1992)
Growth in Quasi marriage'
Giddens (1992)
Families are more diverse nowadays and suggests that it is because of the increase of the 'choice based' society. This is due to the improved knowledge and access to contraception and the increased independence to women.
Couples can define their own relationship rather then it being forced on them. This creates 'pure relationship' based on the love and care.
Stacey (1998)
Women can take greater control of their lives are beginning to create families that are tailored to their own needs.