topic six- family diversity

New Right & family diversity

• only correct family type is the nuclear family

• family is a place of refuge, and harmony

• growth in lone parent households is harmful to children b/c

  • lone mothers cannot discipline children properly

  • leave male children without a male role model

  • more likely to be poorer & a burden on the tax payer

rapoports- 5 types of family diversity

1. organisational diversity- how family roles are organised

2. cultural diversity- culture, religious, and ethnic groups

3. social class diversity- income differences

4. life stage diversity- eg newlyweds/ retired couples

5. generational diversity- different gens have different attitudes

beck- negotiated familiy

• argues we live in a high risk society

• patriarchal family no longer produces stablility duwe to greater individualism & gender equality

• family negotiated based on peoples wishes & expectations

• less atable as if expectations arent met people can leave

Giddens- choice & equality

• family& marriage have been changed by greater choice & equality

• change the basis of marriage

• laws used to keep people in marriage, now it is individual choice- pure relationship

• if a relationship satisfises each patners needs it will survive