SECTION 4: The Personal Life Perspective (PLP)

PLP (e.g., Carol Smart) argues that all the theories above are "Top-Down"—they assume the family is just a box that people are put into.

1. Beyond Blood and Marriage

PLP focuses on what individuals themselves define as family. They look at "Relatedness" rather than just biology:

  • Friends: Who are "like sisters/brothers."

  • Fictive Kin: "Aunties" who are actually just mum's best friend.

  • Gay/Lesbian "Chosen Families": Supportive networks of friends and ex-partners.

  • Dead Relatives: People who still live in our memories and shape our choices.

  • Pets: Often viewed as members of the family (Beck & Gernsheim).

2. Donor-Conceived Children

Smart found that for parents of donor-conceived children, "family" was defined by the effort and love put into raising the child, rather than the genetic link.

Evaluation (AO3):

  • Strength: It is more relevant to diverse, modern postmodern societies.

  • Weakness: It is accused of being too broad. If "everyone" is family, the word loses its specific meaning.