Post And Late Modern View Of The Family

Question 1

Stacey on family diversity

Answer 1

Argues postmodern society has brought greater family diversity, especially for women, who are shaping families to suit their needs (e.g. divorce-extended families).

Question 2

Bauman on family diversity

Answer 2

Sees families as fluid and fragmented, with individuals constantly forming and breaking connections due to uncertainty in late modern life.

Question 3

Giddens on same sex families

Answer 3

Believes same-sex couples are pioneers of the pure relationship, as they tend to build relationships free from traditional gender roles.

Question 4

Parsons on the isolated nuclear family

Answer 4

Industrial society supports the isolated nuclear family, which is structurally separate from extended kin.

Question 5

Beck on the nuclear family

Answer 5

Acknowledges the nuclear family remains but is no longer secure; it’s now based on negotiation due to individualisation.

Question 6

Giddens on romantic love

Answer 6

Says romantic love was once the foundation of marriage, but in late modernity it’s being replaced by confluent love.

Question 7

Giddens on confluent love

Answer 7

A new type of love based on emotional intimacy and personal satisfaction. Unlike romantic love, it can be ended if needs aren’t met.

Question 8

Giddens on the pure relationship

Answer 8

A relationship held together by individual choice and emotional closeness, not by tradition or duty. It’s more equal but also more unstable.

Question 9

Beck & Beck-Gernsheim on reflexivity

Answer 9

Individuals constantly reflect on and shape their own identities and relationships — a process called reflexive modernisation.

Question 10

Giddens on plastic sexuality

Answer 10

Sexuality is no longer tied to reproduction. People have more control over their bodies and sexual choices (e.g., same-sex, casual sex), supporting family diversity.

Question 11

Beck & Beck-Gernsheim on individualisation thesis

Answer 11

In modern society, people are detached from traditional roles and must choose their own life paths and relationships — leading to unstable, diverse families.

Question 12

Stacey on divorce extended families

Answer 12

Women often create support networks after divorce, forming divorce-extended families (e.g. ex-in-laws helping raise children).