Postmodernist View on The Family Flashcards
How has Families changed in Postmodern societies
Moral certainties such as marriage and the nuclear family have been undermined by a greater choice in the types of personal relationships now available.
Freedom of choice has therefore led to family diversity and fluidity
What do Postmodernist sociologists argue about sociological studies of the family
That they should focus on the ‘life-courses’ of individuals rather than ‘the family’. Families change as people experience personal events like marriage and death etc.
What should Life-course analysis focus on
The diversity of the family practices that occur during the life-course
What does Stacey argue about the change in Family to the postmodern society
- Family life is not about living in a static and unchanging type of family structure
- Families and households are no longer concrete things people should strive to attain (as argued by functionalist and new right)
- Family life is in a continual state of flux and change. There is no such thing as the perfect family because everything is unique to different people
What does Smart (2007) recommend
Using the term ‘personal life’ instead of ‘family’
What does Smart argue
That the concept of ‘personal life’ is more neutral and flexible because it goes beyond marriage and biological kin to include newer types of relationships.
What is the common idea of Postmodernists
The idea that families and relationships are no longer fixed but constantly changing in postmodern society
What have Postmodernists exaggerated
The degree and diversity of choice available in personal relationships. In particular, postmodernists have neglected to recognise that structural forces such as social class, patriarchy and ethnicity still exert influence
