Late and Postmodern Views of Family

What is late and postmodernity?

• Late modern and postmodern eras have seen dramatic changes in the organisation and structure of family life

• Wider changes in society have brought about changes in the interactions between partners, gender roles and what we define as a family

• Late modern ideas focus on the individualisation thesis, whilst postmodern families focus on greater diversity, choice and acceptance of lifestyles

Who had views of late and postmodernity of the family?

• Giddens

• Beck and Beck-Gernsheim

• Bauman

What were Beck and Beck-Gernsheim views on the family?

• Risk in society has translated into relationships- whereas, in the modern era, marriage was a life-long commitment, it has now been replaced with a range of alternatives

• Increased insecurity in society has led to the definition of a relationship as being a form of emotional refuge

• Satisfying these needs becomes a condition of relationships, what Beck refers to as a ‘negotiated family’

What was Bauman’s theory of liquid love?

• He suggested relationships in late modernity are fragile and based upon consumerist transactions- liquid love

• Greater focus on the self, which leads to connections with others rather than relationships, based on satisfying needs

• Insecurity in maintaining relationships and preference for flexible relationships develop contrasting ideas of what a relationship is- freedom versus security

What were the evaluations of late modern views?

• The individualisation thesis is based upon ideas of free will and choice- but what impact might social connections with in-laws, family etc have?

• The structure of family networks influences our personal choices- leading to rejection of potential partners or staying with partners for fear of what people might say

• Modernist traditions remain in some social classes to either keep up appearances or for economic security

What are the postmodern views of family?

• Increased choice has led to increased family diversity, as has the impact of global patterns of migration on the types of families in the UK

• Postmodernity is more concerned with the experiences of individuals within families and the personal life choices that individuals make

• Greater acceptance of same-sex relationships, lone parents and those who wish not to marry or have children

What is Stacy theory of divorce in extended family?

• She studied the lives of Californian women after they had divorced and looked at the relationships they developed with others and support networks that emerged

• Some women developed extended support networks from their friends who became defined as a surrogate family performing key functions

• Others maintained relationships with former partners and their relatives as a result of shared parenting

What are the postmodern family types?

• Growth of living apart together partnerships (LATs)- People in a relationship with a partner who was neither cohabiting nor married

• Changes in relationships have led to increasing insecurity in relationships which reduces levels of commitment- individual financial security is more valued than emotional

• Impacts of globalisation and internal migration as people move for careers put strain on traditional relationships, but increased technology means LATs can still communicate

What are the evaluations of postmodern approaches?

• Often the exception rather than the rule and are less widespread than in traditional relationships

• While there has been an increase in family diversity, some such as Chester would argue that traditional structures such as the adults and their children still exist

• Postmodernity is concerned with variations of choice but doesn’t take into account how social pressures shape people