Evaluate the view that the growth of family diversity has led to a decline in the nuclear family (20)

introduction

Rapoport’s identifies 5 types of family diversity - cultural, organisational (family roles), social class, generational, life stage

most sociologists agree that there has been a decline in the nuclear family, but some dispute this eg. NR, functionalists

paragraph 1 - it has caused a decline in the nuclear family

changes in couple relationships

increased divorce rates - 2018 → 2019 = 18% increase in straight divorces + increase in remarriages - 1/3 of all weddings

mean more step families - 11% of families in England and Wales are blended families

lone parent families - 1/4 dependent children living in LPF’s

increase in LAT’s - common in the younger generation

paragraph 2 - it hasn’t caused a decline in the nuclear family

Robert Chester

the only important shift has been the shift from traditional nuclear family to the ‘neo conventional’ family - dual income, symetrical family

still a form of nuclear family

paragraph 3 - it has caused a decline in the nuclear family

postmodern perspective

Judith Stacey - freedom and choice has benefited women

Giddens and Beck - individualisation thesis - we have become dis embedded from traditional roles, leaving us more choice

Beck - the negotiated family - ‘risk society’, gender equality, individualisation

paragraph 4 - it hasn’t caused a decline in the nuclear family

life course perspective

in the modern day we move through multiple family types throughout our lives due to family diversity, but we will all spend most of our lives in nuclear family - raised in one and later create our own

paragraph 5 - it hasn’t caused a decline in the nuclear family

examples

clipped wing generation

traditional working class family - live close by exchanging services, all working in the same industry

conclusion

most agree that increased family diversity has led to a decline in the nuclear family but they have different views on this

NR - believe the nuclear family is fundamental to society and the socialisation of children

PM - decline in nuclear family = increased choice

feminists - decline in nuclear family = freedom from patriarchal family structures