modernism and family diversity

• which 2 perspectives can be been described as 'modernist'.

• this means they see modern society as having a what type of structure?

• They see one 'best' family type - which is what ?- as slotting into this structure and helping to maintain it by doing what

• Perspectives such as functionalism and the New Right have been described as 'modernist'.

• this means they see modern society as having a fairly fixed, clear-cut and predictable structure.

• They see one 'best' family type - the nuclear family - as slotting into this structure and helping to maintain it by performing certain essential functions.

Functionalism

• Thus, according to T_______ P____, there is a 'f____ f____' between the n____ f____ and m____ s____.

• Parsons sees the n____ f___ as uniquely s____ to meeting the needs of m____ s____ for a g_____ and s____ mobile workforce, and as performing two 'i_____ f____' - the p____ s____ of children and the stabilisation of a____ p____. These contribute to the overall s___ and e____ of society.

Functionalism

• Thus, according to Talcott Parsons, there is a 'functional fit' between the nuclear family and modern society.

• Parsons sees the nuclear family as uniquely suited to meeting the needs of modern society for a geographically and socially mobile workforce, and as performing two 'irreducible functions' - the primary socialisation of children and the stabilisation of adult personalities. These contribute to the overall stability and effectiveness of society.

Functionalism

• In the functionalist view, therefore, because of the family's a___ to p___ these essential f___, we can g____ about the type of family that we will find in modern society - namely, a n___ family with a division of labour between husband and wife.

• Hence, other family types can be considered as d____, a___ or even d___, since they are less able to perform what?

Functionalism

• In the functionalist view, therefore, because of the family's ability to perform these essential functions, we can generalise about the type of family that we will find in modern society - namely, a nuclear family with a division of labour between husband and wife.

• Hence, other family types can be considered as dystunctional, abnormal or even deviant, since they are less able to perform the functions required of the family.

Functionalism- ✘evaluation

• ✘ Too i____ – It presents the nuclear family as the “p___5” type without recognising d_____ (e.g. lone-parent, same-sex, extended families).

• ✘ Ignores c___ – Functionalists see the family as what, but Marxists and feminists argue it can be a site of i___ (c____ and g___ exploitation).

• ✘ E___ – The model assumes a W____, m_____-c___ nuclear family as the norm and judges other family types as “d____” or “d____.”

• ✘ S____ view – It underestimates s____ c___, for example, how f____ adapt to e___ shifts, rising divorce rates, or changing gender roles.

Functionalism- ✘evaluation

• ✘ Too idealised – It presents the nuclear family as the “perfect” type without recognising diversity (e.g. lone-parent, same-sex, extended families).

• ✘ Ignores conflict – Functionalists see the family as harmonious and beneficial, but Marxists and feminists argue it can be a site of inequality (class and gender exploitation).

• ✘ Ethnocentric – The model assumes a Western, middle-class nuclear family as the norm and judges other family types as “dysfunctional” or “deviant.”

• ✘ Static view – It underestimates social change, for example, how families adapt to economic shifts, rising divorce rates, or changing gender roles.

The New Right

• The New Right have a c____ and a___-f___ perspective on the family. They are firmly opposed to f____ d___.

• Like functionalists, the New Right hold the view that there is only one c___ or n___ family type.

• This is the t____ or c____ patriarchal n___ f___ consisting of a m___ c___ and their d____ c___, with a c___ -c___ division of labour between the b____-h____ and h____-w_____.

The New Right

• The New Right have a conservative and anti-feminist perspective on the family. They are firmly opposed to family diversity.

• Like functionalists, the New Right hold the view that there is only one correct or normal family type.

• This is the traditional or conventional patriarchal nuclear family consisting of a married couple and their dependent children, with a clear-cut division of labour between the breadwinner-husband and homemaker-wife.

The New Right

• This is the same as the f____ distinction between the what type of roles performed by h___ and w___ respectively

• The New Right see this family as 'n____' and based on f____ b___ differences between men and women.

• In their view, this family is what 3 things

The New Right

• This is the same as the functionalist distinction between the instrumental and expressive roles performed by husband and wife respectively

• The New Right see this family as 'natural' and based on fundamental biological differences between men and women.

• In their view, this family is the cornerstone of society; a place of refuge, contentment and harmony.

The New Right

• The New Right oppose most of the changes in f___ p___ that, such as cohabitation, s___-s___ m____ and l__ p____.

• They argue that the decline of what and the growth of what are the cause of many social problems?

• In particular, the New Right are concerned about the g___ of l___-p___ families, which they see as r___ from the breakdown of c____ r____. They see lone-parent families as harmful to c____.

They argue that:

• Lone mothers cannot do what ?

• Lone-parent families leave b___ without an a___ m___ r___ m___, resulting in e____ f___, d___ and s___ i___.

• Such families are also likely to be what and thus a burden on the what?

The New Right

• The New Right oppose most of the changes in family patterns that, such as cohabitation, same-sex marriage and lone parenthood.

• They argue that the decline of the traditional nuclear family and the growth of family diversity are the cause of many social problems.

• In particular, the New Right are concerned about the growth of lone-parent families, which they see as resulting from the breakdown of couple relationships. They see lone-parent families as harmful to children.

They argue that:

• Lone mothers cannot discipline their children properly.

• Lone-parent families leave boys without an adult male role model, resulting in educational failure, delinquency and social instability.

• Such families are also likely to be poorer and thus a burden on the welfare state and taxpayers.

The New Right - Cohabitation versus marriage

• The New Right claim that the main cause of lone-parent families is what?For example, H____ B___ (2006) analysed data on the parents of over how many babies.

• He found that, over the first ____ years of the baby's life, the rate of family breakdown was much higher among which type of couples: ___%, compared with only ___% among m____ c___.

• In the New Right view, only what can provide a stable environment in which to bring up children?

The New Right - Cohabitation versus marriage

• The New Right claim that the main cause of lone-parent families is the collapse of relationships between cohabiting couples.

• For example, Harry Benson (2006) analysed data on the parents of over 15,000 babies.

• He found that, over the first three years of the baby's life, the rate of family breakdown was much higher among cohabiting couples: 20%, compared with only 6% among married couples.

• In the New Right view, only marriage can provide a stable environment in which to bring up children.

The New Right - Cohabitation versus marriage

• In Benson's view, why is marriage more stable in comparison to cohabitation?

New Right thinkers and Conservative politicians have used such evidence and arguments to support the view that both the family and society at large are 'broken' - where two reason

The New Right - Cohabitation versus marriage

• In Benson's view, marriage is more stable because it requires a deliberate commitment to each other, whereas cohabitation allows partners to avoid commitment and responsibility.

New Right thinkers and Conservative politicians have used such evidence and arguments to support the view that both the family and society at large are 'broken' :

1. They argue that only a return to 'traditional values', including the value of marriage, can prevent social disintegration and damage to children.

2. They regard laws and policies such as easy access to divorce, same-sex marriage and widespread availability of welfare benefits as undermining the conventional family.

The New Right - Cohabitation versus marriage

Benson therefore argues that government needs to encourage what

The New Right - Cohabitation versus marriage

Benson therefore argues that government needs to encourage couples to marry by means of policies that support marriage.

x -Criticisms of the New Right

x- feminist A____ O____ (1997) argues that the New Right wrongly assume that what is fixed by biology.

• Instead, c____-c____ studies show great v____ in the roles men and women perform within the family.

• O__ believes that the New Right view of the family is a negative reaction against what

x- Feminists also argue that the c_____ n____ f___ favoured by the New Right is based on the p___ o____ of women and is a fundamental cause of g___ i___

• in their view, it prevents women w____, keeps them f_____ d____ on men, and denies them an equal say in what

x -Critics of the New Right argue that there is no evidence that children in what families are more likely to be d____ than those brought up in what tho family of the same social class.

x- The New Right view that marriage equals c____, while c____ does not, has been challenged

• it depends on what

• Some people see c____ as a t____ p___, while others see it as a p___ a___ to m___

x- The rate of cohabitation is higher among who in society?

• Therefore, as C____ S____ (2011) points out, it may be p___ that causes the breakdown of relationships, rather than the decision not to marry.

x -Criticisms of the New Right

x- feminist Ann Oakley (1997) argues that the New Right wrongly assume that husbands and wives' roles are fixed by biology.

• Instead, cross-cultural studies show great variation in the roles men and women perform within the family.

• Oakley believes that the New Right view of the family is a negative reaction against the feminist campaign for gender equality.

x- Feminists also argue that the conventional nuclear family favoured by the New Right is based on the patriarchal oppression of women and is a fundamental cause of gender inequality

• in their view, it prevents women working, keeps them financially dependent on men, and denies them an equal say in decision-making

x -Critics of the New Right argue that there is no evidence that children in lone-parent families are more likely to be delinquent than those brought up in a two-parent family of the same social class.

x- The New Right view that marriage equals commitment, while cohabitation does not, has been challenged

• it depends on the meaning of the relationship to those involved.

• Some people see cohabitation as a temporary phase, while others see it as a permanent alternative to marriage.

x- The rate of cohabitation is higher among poorer social groups.

• Therefore, as Carol Smart (2011) points out, it may be poverty that causes the breakdown of relationships, rather than what decision?

Chester: the neo-conventional family

• R_____ C___ (19__) recognises that there has been some what in recent years.

• However, unlike the New Right, he does not regard this as very s____, nor does he see it in a n_____ l____.

• Chester argues that the only important change is a move from what to what?

Chester: the neo-conventional family

• Robert Chester (1985) recognises that there has been some increased family diversity in recent years.

• However, unlike the New Right, he does not regard this as very significant, nor does he see it in a negative light.

• Chester argues that the only important change is a move from the dominance of the traditional or conventional nuclear family, to what he describes as the 'neo-conventional family'.

Chester: the neo-conventional family

• what does Chester mean by the conventional family?

• By contrast, what does Chester define the neo-conventional family as ? whos idea is it similar to ?

• Apart from this, Chester does not see any other evidence of major c____. He argues that most people are not choosing to live in a____ to the n____ f____ (such as l____-p___ families) on a long-term basis, and the nuclear family remains the i____ to which most people a____

Chester: the neo-conventional family

• By the conventional family, Chester means the type of nuclear family described by the New Right and Parsons, with its division of labour between a male breadwinner and a female homemaker.

• By contrast, Chester defines the neo-conventional family as a dual-earner family in which both spouses go out to work and not just the husband. This is similar to the symmetrical family described by Young and Willmott

• Apart from this, Chester does not see any other evidence of major change. He argues that most people are not choosing to live in alternatives to the nuclear family (such as lone-parent families) on a long-term basis, and the nuclear family remains the ideal to which most people aspire

Chester: the neo-conventional family

• many people are not part of a nuclear family at any one time, Chester argues that this is largely due to what?

• Many of the people who are currently living in a one-person household, - give examples , were either part of a nuclear family in the p____ or will be in the f___

• therefore, why are Statistics on household composition are misleading ?

Chester: the neo-conventional family

• many people are not part of a nuclear family at any one time, Chester argues that this is largely due to the life cycle.

• Many of the people who are currently living in a one-person household, such as elderly widows, divorced men or young people who have not yet married, were either part of a nuclear family in the past or will be in the future

• Statistics on household composition are thus misleading because they are merely a snapshot of a single moment in time. They don't show us the fact that most people will spend a major part of their lives in a nuclear family.

Chester: the neo-conventional family

As evidence of his view that little has changed, Chester identifies a number of patterns:

1. Most people live in a household headed by what

2. Most adults m____ and have c___. Most children are r___ by their t___ natural parents.

3. Most marriages continue until d___. d___ has increased, but most d____ remarry.

4. C____ has increased, but for most couples it is a t___ phase before marrying or re-marrying. Most couples get married if they have children.

5. Although births outside marriage have increased, most are jointly registered, indicating that the parents are committed to whating

Chester: the neo-conventional family

As evidence of his view that little has changed, Chester identifies a number of patterns:

1. Most people live in a household headed by a married couple

2. Most adults marry and have children. Most children are reared by their two natural parents.

3. Most marriages continue until death. Divorce has increased, but most divorcees remarry.

4. Cohabitation has increased, but for most couples it is a temporary phase before marrying or re-marrying. Most couples get married if they have children.

5. Although births outside marriage have increased, most are jointly registered, indicating that the parents are committed to bringing up children as a couple.

Chester: the neo-conventional family

• For Chester, then, the extent and importance of family diversity has been e_____.

• Like the functionalists, Chester sees the nuclear family as d____.

• The only important difference between Chester's view and that of the functionalists is what?

Chester: the neo-conventional family

• For Chester, then, the extent and importance of family diversity has been exaggerated.

• Like the functionalists, Chester sees the nuclear family as dominant.

• The only important difference between Chester's view and that of the functionalists is that Chester sees a change from a conventional to a neo-conventional nuclear family where both spouses play an 'instrumental' or breadwinner role.

The Rapports: five types of family diversity

• Unlike C____, R_____ and R____ R____ (1982) argue that d____ is of central importance in understanding what?

• They believe that we have moved away from the what family type, to a what?

• Families in Britain have adapted to a pluralistic society - what is this? In their view, family diversity reflects what

• unlike the New Right, the Rapoports see diversity as a p___ response to people's different n___ and w___, and not as abnormal or a deviation from the what?

The Rapports: five types of family diversity

• Unlike Chester, Rhona and Robert Rapoport (1982) argue that diversity is of central importance in understanding British families today.

• They believe that we have moved away from the traditional nuclear family as the dominant family type, to a range of different types.

• Families in Britain have adapted to a pluralistic society - that is, one in which cultures and lifestyles are more diverse. In their view, family diversity reflects greater freedom of choice and the widespread acceptance of different cultures and ways of life in today's society.

• unlike the New Right, the Rapoports see diversity as a positive response to people's different needs and wishes, and not as abnormal or a deviation from the assumed norm of a 'proper' nuclear family.

The Rapports: five types of family diversity

They identify five different types of family diversity in Britain today- what are they?

The Rapports: five types of family diversity

five different types of family diversity in Britain today

• organisational diversity

• cultural diversity

• social class diversity

• life-stage diversity

• generational diversity

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - organisational diversity

• This refers to differences in what?

• For example, some couples have j___ c___ r___ and two w___-e___, while others have segregated c____ r___ and one w___-e___.

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - organisational diversity

• This refers to differences in the ways family roles are organised.

• For example, some couples have joint conjugal roles and two wage-earners, while others have segregated conjugal roles and one wage-earner.

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - cultural diversity

• Different cultural, religious and ethnic groups have different f____ s___

• . For example, there is a higher proportion of female-headed lone-parent families among which households and a higher proportion of extended families among which households.

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - cultural diversity

• Different cultural, religious and ethnic groups have different family structures

• . For example, there is a higher proportion of female-headed lone-parent families among African-Caribbean households and a higher proportion of extended families among Asian households.

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - social class diversity

• Differences in family structure are partly the result of i____ differences between households of different social classes.

• Likewise, there are class differences in what

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - social class diversity

• Differences in family structure are partly the result of income differences between households of different social classes.

• Likewise, there are class differences in child-rearing practices.

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - life stage diversity

• Family structures differ according to the stage reached in the life cycle - give examples of different stages

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - life stage diversity

• Family structures differ according to the stage reached in the life cycle - for example, young newlyweds, couples with dependent children, retired couples whose children have grown up and left home, and widows who are living alone.

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - generational diversity

• Older and younger generations have different attitudes and experiences that reflect what?

• For example, they may have different views about the morality of d____ or c____

The Rapports: five types of family diversity - generational diversity

• Older and younger generations have different attitudes and experiences that reflect the historical periods in which they have lived.

• For example, they may have different views about the morality of divorce or cohabitation.