Individualism thesis, confluent love and pure relationships

Chambers

Individualisation is the central explanation for family decline

Beck gernshiem

Traditional social relationships no longer regulate people’s lives

Underlying individualisation rise is due to contraception

Bauman

People are constantly looking for safety and security leading to growing wider diversity

Confluent love

Sociologists coming thruuu

Beck Gershiem

Love is a guide until the next best thing so permanency is withering

Giddens

Confluent love - intimate relationship until further notice

Pure relationships - emotional and sexual needs met so they stay together

Chambers

Pure relationships aren’t necessarily forever and do not involve long term commitment

Criticisms

Smart -

exaggerates the extent of family decline

Doesn’t match reality

Chambers -

Cereal packet families may be declining but people still hold those values