Family Diversity

Question 1

5 types:

Answer 1

• organisational: difference in the way family roles are structured
• cultural: different ethnicity have different family structures
• social-class: difference in the way children are socialised
• life-course: different stages in life
• cohort generational: differences created by the historical period they live in

Question 2

The Rapopprts (1982):

Answer 2

• argues that the nuclear family is no longer the main type of family in the uk
• optimistically about changes and indicates freedom and choice

Question 3

Chester (1985):

Answer 3

• criticises the Rapport’s research and argues:
• the Rapports have exaggerated the extent of family diversity
• the nuclear family is dominant in society
• the nuclear family is what people want to have
• the only change is the neo-conventional families

Question 4

what is family diversity?

Answer 4

• different forms and structures of family that exist in society and the characteristics that differentiate from each other

Question 5

Leach (1967):

Answer 5

• argues that nuclear family still stands out as being the ideal/ popular choice all though there are different types of families existing

Question 6

‘cereal packet family’:

Answer 6

• a stereotypical image of family life (mainly in advertisements) which consists of nuclear family and appear to be happy

Question 7

Goode (1963):

Answer 7

• believes as families develop, extended families would be replaced by the nuclear family

Question 8

China supports Goode and Parsons:

Answer 8

• china’s main family structure moves from extended to nuclear
• this proves nuclear is more prominent in society

Question 9

Families in South Asia:

Answer 9

• extended family is important
• difference could be based on social class and individual family aspirations

Question 10

Families in the Caribbean:

Answer 10

• Stuart (1996)
  1. importance of marriage or cohabitation
  2. household headed by persons of either sex

Question 11

Modernism diversity:

Answer 11

• believe that family is a structure that shapes the behaviour of it’s members that perform functions society requires
• having a fairly fixed, clear cut and predictable structures

Question 12

Post Modernist diversity:

Answer 12

• believe that the family structure has become fragmented and individuals have more choice

Question 13

Conventional Family:

Answer 13

• traditional family where there is a clear division of labour

Question 14

Neo-conventional family:

Answer 14

• a dual-earner family where both spouses work and not just the husband