Family Diversity

Question 1

What is Family Diversity

Answer 1

Refers to the differences between families, in terms of the organisations structure and roles within the family

Question 2

The Rappaports 5 types of family diversity

Answer 2

1. Cultural Diversity
2. Life course analysis
3. Organisational Diversity
4. Generational Diversity
5. Social class diversity

Question 3

Cultural Diversity

Answer 3

There are cultural differences in both family structures and organisation.

• Asian families tend to be extended and Africian Caribbean tend to be single parent/lone families

Question 4

Life Course analysis

Answer 4

Hareven: Family structures and organisation change as we go through our lives matching the time of life we are at and our needs at that time

Question 5

Organisational Diversity

Answer 5

This refers to how the family is structured in terms of its members and power structures. For example who has the most power.

• For example, a lone parent, empty nest or nuclear.

Question 6

Generational Diversity

Answer 6

This refers to the shared historical experiences that a group has which will shape their family structure and organisation.

• For example the introduction of the contraceptive pill or WW2

Question 7

Social Class diversity

Answer 7

Inequalities in lifestyle possibilities have increased since the 1980s. Wealth and income have an obvious impact in terms of the type of housing, room size/number finanical problem and holiday for example.

Question 8

Causes of family Diversity

Answer 8

1. Changes in law
2. Changes in Social Attitudes
3. Changing role of women
4. Secularisation
5. Globalisation/Immigration
6. Material factors

Question 9

Changes in Law

Answer 9

Laws such as the Divorce Reform Act, legalisation of contraception and civil partnership act have increased family diversity

Question 10

Changes in social attitudes

Answer 10

Society has moved forward and family structures such as lone parent, same sex and say at home fathers are much more acceptable now

Question 11

Changing role of women

Answer 11

The rise in feminism and growing equality has given women more freedom and independence from men which has changed the structure and role within the family leading to more symmetrical families

Question 11

Changing role of women

Answer 11

The rise in feminism and growing equality has given women more freedom and independence from men which has changed the structure and role within the family leading to more symmetrical families

Question 12

Secularisation

Answer 12

The decline in the power of the church has lessened its influence on the family. Changes in church teachings have also had an impact eg. Use contraception and same sex relationship

Question 13

Globalisation/Immigration

Answer 13

As technology has advanced we have seen the rise of the dis extended family- a family which is close emotionally but not geographically. Immigration also seen new types of family arise in the UK

Question 14

Material Factors

Answer 14

Greater affulence, greater geographical and social mobility. The greater economic independence if women increased lifespan

Question 15

Functionalism: PARSONS

Answer 15

Functional fit theory: it is not diversity but the changing of structures to meet the needs of society

–> Functional fit theory where the family structure is constantly and adapting to meet the needs of society at the present time

Question 16

New Right: MURRAY

Answer 16

Diversity is the cause of society breakdown

–> Only one correct family type- The patriarchal family nuclear family with a clear-cut division of labour between the husband and wife (instrumental and expressive)

Question 17

Postmodernism

Answer 17

Diversity is increasing and a result of growing choice and globalisation in the modern world.

–> Society has become individualised due to development of medicine, technology and female equality

–> Relationships are now based on confluent love or pure relationships

Question 18

Feminism: STACEY

Answer 18

Growing diversity is a positive move for women

–> Family diversity has allowed women not to break away from traditional roles and create family arrangements which meet their needs

Question 19

Wilmott

Answer 19

Wilmott believes that family diversity has been exaggerated but family structure has changed to a dispersed extended family

Question 20

Murdock

Answer 20

Murdock doesn’t believe in family diversity and that the nuclear family is natural and universal

Question 21

Brannon

Answer 21

Brannon believes that family structure has changed and the new family type is the beanpole family