Week 13 - Future Families and Relationships Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Week 13 - Future Families and Relationships Deck (12)
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1
Q

Who are the main authors of Week 13 and year of publication?

A

Michael Gilding (2010) & Elisabeth-Gernsheim (1998)

2
Q

What does Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim argue in ‘On the Way to a Post-Familial Family’

A
  1. The binary perspectives of the family going through massive change or the being seen a crisis to the family is unproductive.
  2. And that focus should be on the grey areas inside and outside the traditional family network.
  3. The trend towards individualisation.
3
Q

When proponents of the nuclear family model worry about the ‘decline of family’ by comparing the past to the present by using statistics, what can be missed?

A
  • Distortion, using ‘complete families’ as a reference.
  • The social shift towards non-traditional forms of living
  • If anything is mentioned in regards to whether people are willing to live in such relationships.
4
Q

How does Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim (1998) criticize the ‘normal family’ concept?

A

Everything we discuss is geared towards ‘marriage’ and included in the nuclear family model.

People who live alone are ‘partnership orientated’, Non-marital partnerships are ‘geared to a medium term-perspective’

5
Q

How does Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim (1998) explain individualisation?

A
  1. It is a historical process that questions and breaks up the traditional rhythm of life, known as the ‘normal biography’
  2. More people are being forced to piece together their own biographies and make it fit the best they can.
  3. Normal life-history is giving way to a ‘do-it-yourself’ life history.
6
Q

What is the ‘community of need’ that is held together by an ‘obligation of solidarity’?

(4 Points)

A
  1. Beck-Gernsheim (1998) draws attention to ‘preindustrial family’ where the relationship was centered on work and economic - the goal of preserving the farm or workshop.
  2. Everyone was exposed to similar pressures in a closely knit community.
  3. There was no room for personal inclination, feelings, and motives.
  4. What counted was not the ‘individual, but the common goals and purpose.
7
Q

What were the historical phases ‘family’ of prior individualization according to Beck-Gernsheim (1998)?

A
  1. The ‘family’ lost the function as a working and economic unit
  2. Men were involved in gainful employment outside the home
  3. Wome initially relegated to the home and children
  4. ‘Space’ become private
8
Q

According to Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim (1998), the loosening of individuality towards the family began with the welfare state.

Elaborate.

(4 Points)

A
  1. Security mechanisms (old age, pension, sick, accident cover) gave protection against the market.
  2. Material assistance to help weaker groups (income support, education grants)
  3. Social security gave a guaranteed and minimal existence beyond the family
  4. Therefore, social security allowed individual to become less dependent on the family
9
Q

Elaborate on Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim’s (1998) concept of ‘Life of their own’

A
  1. A discussion the demands and pressure for women to have a life on their own.
  2. Changes in education, family-cycle, the legal system, etc, women moved partly outside the family.
  3. Women could no longer rely on men.
  4. Autonomy and self-sufficiency is held out.
  5. This lead toward ‘subjective correlate’.
10
Q

According to Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim (1998) what is the ‘subjective correlate’? What is the example she uses?

(2 Points, 1 Example)

A
  1. The idea of changes toward autonomy and self-sufficiency has lead them to:
  2. MUST develop expectations, wishes and life projects to the family but also their own persons.

For example:

  • Planning ahead if there was no man, whilst thinking about their own interests, rights and plans.
11
Q

According to Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim (1998), what is the ‘staging of everyday life’?

(2 Points, 1 Example)

A
  1. People used to be able to rely on traditional rules and models, now there are greater numbers of decision that need has to be taken.
  2. More things require negotiation and plannings.
  3. Examples: What is fair in the family? Who is allocated the burdens? Whose wishes have to wait?
12
Q

What does ‘Insulated childhood’ mean?

A

Children spending more time in organised activities outside the home. Family life no longer happens in one place.