Diversity – Sociologists
1967 Mead The personal life deals with the ‘me’ (socially connected
part of the person), rather than the ‘I’ of individualisation
(autonomous individual). Our personal life is not isolated
from the rest of society.
1978 Hareven No point in talking about ‘fixed’ families. There is flexibility
and variation throughout people’s lives. Anyone could live in
multiple family types. Families ever-changing.
1982 Rapoport & Rapoport 5 types of family diversity – Organisational, Cultural,
Generational, Life-Stage, Social Class.
Diversity represents greater freedom of choice, diverse
ways of life.
1985 Chester Neo-conventional nuclear family. Not many changes have
occurred, exaggerated. trad values upheld and changed a
bit.
1992 Giddens ‘Choice-based society’ – because of:
1. Improved knowledge/availability of contraception
2. Increased independence of women.
Relationships are less stable – a partner can leave/change a
relationship at will.
1995 Beck Risk society. People ‘weigh up’ costs and rewards.
Decisions easier previously – nuclear family expected. More
‘negotiated families’ based on individualism/equality.
1996 Morgan Investigation on fluidity in sociology has often been done in
isolation and not acknowledging the impact other areas
have on a person’s shifting identity in the workplace, leisure
and the family.
Families have different attitudes/beliefs.
Traditional/modern roles, child-centres or not.
1998 Stacey Divorce-extended families in California. Women can tailor
families to their own needs. Network of support, divorce in
common.
2001 Allan & Crow Traditional family life course has changed dramatically.
2002 Beck-Gernsheim Individualisation thesis – where traditional relationships,
values and beliefs lose their meaning/significance. So
people have more choice.
Love > practical necessity guides people’s approaches to
relationships.
People seek ‘pure relationships’ based on confluent love
(meeting needs) – couples stay together because their
needs are met.
2004 Heath Young people less likely to follow the traditional life-cycle
routine.
1967 Mead The personal life deals with the ‘me’ (socially connected
part of the person), rather than the ‘I’ of individualisation
(autonomous individual). Our personal life is not isolated
from the rest of society.
1978 Hareven No point in talking about ‘fixed’ families. There is flexibility
and variation throughout people’s lives. Anyone could live in
multiple family types. Families ever-changing.
1982 Rapoport & Rapoport 5 types of family diversity – Organisational, Cultural,
Generational, Life-Stage, Social Class.
Diversity represents greater freedom of choice, diverse
ways of life.
1985 Chester Neo-conventional nuclear family. Not many changes have
occurred, exaggerated. trad values upheld and changed a
bit.
1992 Giddens ‘Choice-based society’ – because of:
1. Improved knowledge/availability of contraception
2. Increased independence of women.
Relationships are less stable – a partner can leave/change a
relationship at will.
1995 Beck Risk society. People ‘weigh up’ costs and rewards.
Decisions easier previously – nuclear family expected. More
‘negotiated families’ based on individualism/equality.
1996 Morgan Investigation on fluidity in sociology has often been done in
isolation and not acknowledging the impact other areas
have on a person’s shifting identity in the workplace, leisure
and the family.
Families have different attitudes/beliefs.
Traditional/modern roles, child-centres or not.
1998 Stacey Divorce-extended families in California. Women can tailor
families to their own needs. Network of support, divorce in
common.
2001 Allan & Crow Traditional family life course has changed dramatically.
2002 Beck-Gernsheim Individualisation thesis – where traditional relationships,
values and beliefs lose their meaning/significance. So
people have more choice.
Love > practical necessity guides people’s approaches to
relationships.
People seek ‘pure relationships’ based on confluent love
(meeting needs) – couples stay together because their
needs are met.
2004 Heath Young people less likely to follow the traditional life-cycle
routine.
