Families and Households

Late and Postmodern views of Family

  • 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 defines as a family.

  • Late modern ideas focus on the Individualization thesis- a concept that we show greater free will in family choices, whilst postmodern families focus on greater diversity, choice and acceptance of lifestyles.

Late Modern Views

  • Giddens

  • Beck and Beck-Gernsheim- Risk in society has translated into relationship- whereas in the modern era, marriage was a life- long commitment, it has now been replaced with a range of alternative.

  • 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”.

  • Bauman- entered a second modernity- 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 developing contrasting ideas of what a relationship is- freedom versus security.

Evaluation

  • Individualization thesis is based upon ideas of free will and choice- but not everyone has free will and choice, e.g. social connections with in-laws, values etc.

  • structure of family networks influence our personal choice- 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 wither keep up appearances or for economic security.

Postmodernism views

  • 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 more concerned with the experiences of individuals within families and the personal life choices that individuals make- not a one size fits all narrative.

  • greater acceptance of same sxe relationship, long parents and those who wish not to marry or have children.

Stacey- Divorce extended family

  • Stacey 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 from their friends who became defined as a surrogate family performing key functions.

  • other maintain relationships with former partners and their relatives as a result of shared parenting- highlights changing attitudes.

Postmodern family types

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

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

  • impacts of globalization and internal migration as people moving for careers puts strain on traditional relationships, but increase technology means LATs can still communicate- geographically mobile workforce.

Evaluation

  • Often focus too much on the exception rather than the rule and are less widespread than traditional relationships. E.g. Stacey’s study was taken in an affluent part of California, not particularly representative of everyday life for many women.

  • 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 people are shaped by social pressures- upbringing, religion and media etc.