Family Diversity

Nuclear family

Traditional two-parent household

Extended family

Includes grandparents, aunts, uncles

Reconstituted family

Step-families

Lone-parent family

Mostly female-headed due to divorce

Same-sex families

• Legalised by Same-Sex Marriage Act (2013).

Living Apart Together

• Couples in a relationship but not living together.

Same-Sex Marriage Act (2013) effect on family diversity

• Increased acceptance of LGBTQ+ families.

Civil Partnership Act (2004) effect on family diversity

• Gave same-sex couples legal rights.

Equal Pay Act (1970) & Sex Discrimination Act (1975) effect on family diversity

• Encouraged female independence → More diverse families.

How is family diversity affected according to parsons

Parsons states that family diversity has increased, and there as been a shift away from the traditional nuclear family. Nowadays, it is more common for reconstituted, lone-parent and cohabiting families to exist. However, functionalists and the new right reject this in arguing the nuclear family is the only family type functional for society.

How is family diversity affected according to the new right

The New Right believe that the nuclear family as the only ‘natural’ family type. Other family types produce social problems (Eg. lone parent families lead to a dependency culture). Generous welfare benefits have encouraged such deviant family types.

How is family diversity affected according to the Rapoports

 The Rapoports believe we have moved away from the nuclear family into a range of different family types. Unlike New Right, Rapports see diversity as a positive response to people's needs and wishes. Their 5 types of family diversity include:

• organisational diversity,

• cultural diversity,

• social class diversity,

• life-stage diversity,

• generational diversity.

How is family diversity affected according to chester

Chester states that although there has been some increase in diversity, the nuclear family still remains dominant. There has been an important change from the conventional family (segregated conjugal roles) to the neo-conventional family, which adopts a symmetrical family structure.

How is family diversity affected according to Giddens (Postmodernists)

Giddens believes that Society has become ‘disembedded’ from traditional family structures, leaving us free to choose how we live our lives. This has led to the ‘pure relationship’ - one that exists solely to satisfy each partner's needs.

How is family diversity affected according to Beck (Postmodernists)

Beck states that Equality and individualism have created the ‘negotiated family’ which varied according to the members wants.

How is family diversity affected according to smart

Smart believes that we are not disembedded individuals, but we make decisions about relationships within a ‘web of connectedness’.