Personal life perspective
Structural theories (Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism) are limited because:
They assume the nuclear family is the main/ideal family type.
They ignore family diversity (lone parents, stepfamilies, chosen families).
They take a top-down approach and see individuals as passive puppets shaped by capitalism or patriarchy.
The Personal Life Perspective
Influenced by interactionism and postmodernism.
Uses a bottom-up approach → starts from the individual’s viewpoint.
Focuses on the meanings people attach to their relationships.
Argues people have choice and agency in who they see as family.
Wide view of family:
Family is not just based on blood or marriage.
Includes relationships people consider significant, such as:
Close friends who feel “like a sister or brother.”
Fictive kin – people treated like relatives (e.g., a parent’s friend called “auntie”).
Dead relatives who shape identity and memories.
Pets (Tipper 2011: children often saw pets as family).
Chosen families in gay/lesbian communities (support networks of friends, ex-partners, etc.).
Donor-conceived children (Nordqvist & Smart):
Studied how families using donor conception define family.
Found tensions between genetic ties and social parenting.
Some parents said being a mother is about time and effort, not biology.
Problems arise if:
People comment on the child resembling the donor.
Children ask about the donor’s identity.
Parents wonder about donor siblings and who counts as a grandparent.
Lesbian couples faced extra issues:
Equality between genetic and non-genetic mothers.
Whether the non-genetic mother is recognised as the “real” second parent.
Evaluation of PLP:
Strength: Recognises diversity and personal meanings.
Weaknesses:
Too broad – if everything can be family, the term loses meaning.
Can ignore important family functions (which functionalists highlight).
Not all personal relationships are positive (e.g., abuse, unhappiness).
May overlook how structural factors (gender, class, power) shape relationships.