Postmodernism and family diversity - post-modernism as a perspective

Modernism

• Functionalism

• Importance of dominance of one family type (NF)

• Structural/top-down approach

  • Family is a structure that shapes the behaviours of its members

    • They then perform the functions society requires of them

• Individuals have v. little choice about the pattern of family life, our behaviour is ordered, structured and predictable

Postmodernism

Cheal (1993)

• We no longer live in a modern society that is predictable - we have entered a new/chaotic PoMo stage

• No longer one dominant, stable family structure (e.g. NF) - fragmentation of family structures into different types

  • Individuals have more choice in their lifestyles, personal relationships and family arrangements

• Family shapes depend on active choices: divorce, come out, cohabit

Advantages of greater diversity and choice described by PoMos

• Greater freedom to plot own life course, choosing family and personal relationships that meet their needs

Disadvantages of greater diversity and choice described by PoMos

• Greater risk of instability and break up of relationships

Perspective on gender/sexuality

• Modernism: 2 genders, heteronormative (fixed)

• Postmodernism: fluidity and greater acceptance

Perspective on culture

• Modernism: British

• Postmodernism: global

Perspective on employment

• Modernism: ‘job for life’

• Postmodernism: insecure and constantly evolving

Perspective on the family

• Modernism: nuclear

• Postmodernism: diversity and life course

Perspectives on relationships

• Modernism: secure, monogamous

• Postmodernism: less commitment, serial monogamy

Postmodern perspectives on aspects of modern society - diversity

• Due to global migration creating more diverse populations

Postmodern perspectives on aspects of modern society - hybridity

• Merging of cultures due to globalisation has has caused cultures to influence each other, e.g. British Asian music

Postmodern perspectives on aspects of modern society - risk of insecurity

• Increasingly uncertain (in terms of employment and relationships) society has meant technology may outpace human growth and there’s a higher risk of environmental disasters

Postmodern perspectives on aspects of modern society - globalisation

• Increasing interconnectedness with the rest of the world