Family and social structure (post-modernists)

Key ideas

• Emerged in the late 20th century

• Emphasises choice, diversity and fluidity and the decline of traditional structures

• No single dominant narrative- ‘pick and mix’ culture

• Society is now more individualistic and less bound by traditional norms

Postmodernists view on family and households

Family diversity-

• There is no longer a single dominant family type (Like the nuclear family)

• Families come in all forms: Reconstructed, lone parent, same sex

• Stacey- Women are the drivers of family change

Choice and personal freedom-

• People have more freedom to choose their relationships and family structures

• This creates greater instability but also more fulfilment and equality

• Traditional roles are less rigid (gender roles in households are changing)

Giddens- ‘The pure relationship’

• Relationships are now based on love and sexual attraction rather than duty or tradition

• If a relationship isn’t satisfying, people feel free to leave

• This has led to rising divorce rates but also more equality

Beck- Risk society and negotiated families

• Modern life is full of uncertainty and risk

• Families are now negotiated- Roles and expectations are discussed and agreed on rather than fixed by tradition

• This increases freedom but also instability

Strengths-

• Explains the increase in family diversity and decline of the nuclear family

• Highlights how individual choice shapes modern family life

Weaknesses-

• Overstates freedom- Choices are still influenced by social class, ethnicity and gender

• Chester (Neo-conventional family)- Argue that most people live in nuclear like families even if not

• Dosen’t account well for structural inequalities (Poverty, patriarchy)